Joanna Lumley Might be Starring in "La Bête," but She is Far From a Fool

Joanna Lumley

Like David Hyde Pierce, her co-star in the current Broadway revival of La Bête, Joanna Lumley is famous for playing a character so ingrained in the pop culture pantheon they are known almost universally by just their first name.

In the case of Lumley, that character’s name is Patsy, one half of the drunken, vulgar duo that made Absolutely Fabulous one of the most beloved and well-respected sitcoms of the past twenty years.

But Lumley has more in common with her American co-star than just having starred in a hit sitcom. Like Pierce, who has found great success on Broadway, Lumley has also been well-received in the theater world on both sides of the Atlantic. Also like Pierce, who is well known for his work with both Alzheimer's and gay rights issues, Lumley is a passionate advocate for social justice. In her case, Lumley has worked extensively with Gurkha Justice Campaign and Survival International.

AfterElton recently spoke with the gay fav about the possible return of Absolutely Fabulous, what it means to have played a character as indelible as Patsy and much more!

AfterElton: Besides being both critically acclaimed, award-winning actors, you and David Hyde Pierce have something else in common in that you've both played a character on television who is so iconic in pop culture that they're simply known by their first name. You say the name Niles, and you immediately go to David Hyde Pierce on Frasier. You say the name Patsy, and it goes to you in Absolutely Fabulous. Some actors feel that kind of success in a role can be a burden and even kind of a curse. After all these years, how do you feel about Patsy?
Joanna Lumley: I'm not sure anybody remembers her. But people enjoyed her so much. She brought such joy to people's lives. The whole show made people laugh even in terrible times. I got wonderful letters and messages from people who'd been going through very, very dark days, and they'd say, "It was so good. We stuck on an episode of AbFab and we laughed till we cried." Well, that's a fantastic thing.

I'm so proud and lucky to have been the person who played Patsy, and to have been a part of this great joy-giving. I've never understood people who snob the work they've done in the past. I love all of the many things I've been in — and my God, I've been in some absolute zonkingly bad things. I loved them because they've given me money when I needed it, they've given me friends, it's been companionable. Actors aren't an elite. We're hard working, traveling gypsies really. We live off work and we thrive off doing things, being part of it. I've always been thrilled and proud to be in anything, even tiny parts. Something good always comes out of everything.

Lumley as Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous

AE: Your attitude reminds me of John Barrowman who plays Captain Jack on Torchwood. He's said, "I couldn't care less if people never remember me for anything else. This has opened up so many doors and it's given me so many opportunities that I would never diss having played this role.
JL: That's right. And to be remembered for anything as an actor is just wonderful.

AE: What drew you to La Bête and playing the Princess?
JL: First of all, it was a prince [in the original], which I think is really quite extraordinary. This is the first time it's been done as a woman. My lines haven't changed much, but how people referred to me, prince had to be changed to princess. Your Grace works, but everything else had to be changes so David Hirson had to do some extra work.

I was thrilled. The play is just staggeringly funny, and dark, and strange. Mark Rylance is a complete star. David Hyde Pierce, I couldn't admire more. So everything was all sparking and shiny, and it took me about thirty-two seconds to say yes.

AE: What's it been like working with Mr. Pierce?
JL: He's sensational. He's the most extraordinary man. He is absolutely adored, by everyone in the show, of course, but also everyone coming to the show. They all just adore him. We all think he's a man made of solid gold turning to platinum, and probably soon to become transcendental. Very, very funny, and very brilliant. I have a scene with him, where it's just him and me on stage, and we couldn't love it more, playing together.

David Hyde Pierce and Lumley in La Bête