Thirty years after she first performed at The National Theatre, Barney (Efthimiou) catches up with Eve Polycarpou, now appearing in a new play there…
As we sit down in a cosy office overlooking the Thames she flashes a huge smile (yes just like the one in the photograph) and expresses her delight at being back, about to take on a role in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new play Sunset at The Villa Thalia. Back in 1986 she appeared opposite Tim Curry in The Threepenny Opera playing ‘lady of the night’ Jenny. Coincidentally there is another production of that Brecht classic currently in rep at The National. Maybe it was predestined that she would return at this time.
Certainly Eve Polycarpou, one of the UK’s most versatile and much admired BBC performers (British Born Cypriots) has lots to be happy about right now. In 2008 while working on a number of projects – her versatility knows no bounds including, music, theatre, cabaret and teaching to name a few – and at a time when “I was just overworking”, Eve experienced what she thought was a stroke. After “amazing work by the NHS” she was diagnosed with a non-cancerous pituitary tumour. Several sessions of radiotherapy helped stabilise the situation but she is still monitored by a neurologist and endocrinologist to make sure the nasty tumour doesn’t transform into something more dangerous. The stoical si ki me attitude this has instilled in her is infectious. “Here I am today, sixty years plus and counting, doing the things I want to do and just about to be given my own dressing room!”
That last point makes her chuckle with delight and keen to tell me about the changes that have taken place. “When I was first here thirty years ago diversity was just a word but today there is far less hierarchy and it all feels much more equal”. Many would argue we still have a long way to go in this area but right now Eve is lapping it all up. The role she has in Sunset at The Villa Thalia is a Greek matriarch who speaks only in her mother tongue – cue the joke from critics “it’s all Greek to me” – but without wanting to give too much away she explains the character is key to the play’s central theme. Playwright Kaye Campbell, half-Greek himself, says it is inspired by the anti-austerity protestors. However, Eve is quick to point out “this is not a Greek play but one that is informed by its history and its politics”. Plus ca change but still I’m intrigued. She remains tight-lipped and another burst of glee overwhelms her as she puts her hands through that impressive shock of hair, a two-toned mane of which any lion would be proud, and exclaims excitedly “look at that view”. These are not diversionary tactics, just the joy of a sexagenarian with a childlike spirit relishing this opportunity.
You would have thought it was all water off a ducks back when you consider the extent and variety of her career. She’s performed on the same bill as Max Bygraves and Bruce Forsyth and in 1976 got all the way through to the gala final of New Faces (Britain’s Got Talent of its day) but lost out to Roger de Courcey with Nookie Bear and Jim Davidson. She laughs out loud, “Fandasdigez I was beaten by a bear and a stand-up comic”. Nevertheless she was top singer in that competition and soon found herself singing in her Uncle Lefteris’ restaurant which is also where she met Martha Lewis. Together they formed the inimitable comedy and music act Donna and Kebab which firmly established them on the touring circuit and as the UK’s best known Cypriot duo until Stavros Flatley and son came along.
More recently she appeared in the award-winning In the Heights where she played grandmother Abuella. That show was in the same Kings Cross theatre which was home to The Railway Children. “I had a lovely time taking naps in their railway carriages though maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this!” That effusive blend of cheek, passion and zest for life are a constant throughout the interview.
Her eyes light up when she remembers one of her favourite roles, that of Mother Courage, another Brechtian trooper who despite losing three children in a war is determined to carry on. Thankfully there are no direct parallels with Eve and her life but there can be little doubt that the courage and determination she has shown since her health scare means that as each day dawns she looks forward to moving on to challenges anew. What next after Sunset’? “Who knows, right now today is what counts and what matters”. Bang on cue there is a knock at the door and Eve is to be shown to her dressing room. Another huge smile and she is gone.
Sunset at the Villa Thalia is on at The National (Dorfman Theatre) until 4 August.
