P566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:28/37 . .: *. *.: 1/7 .: *: :. * PANTO & BOND: GREAT BRITISH TRADITIONS Mention Britt Island and probably the last thing that comes into your hrad is "Mothjt Goose". But the 54-year-old actress says Panto is no conj-down from her days as a Bond girl — Bond and Panto are bosh great British traditions, after all. This year's production at Chichjster Festival Theatre — where she co-stars with Sherrie Hewson of Coronation St — is her sixth Panto in as many years. "I just love it," she assures mj. Music 560 Switch On 540 TV News 591 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTVP566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:41/09 . .: *. *.: 2/7 .: *: :. * "PANTO IS SURROGATE FAMILY," SAYS BRITT Swedish actress Britt Island admits that for her, Panto has to take the place of family at Christmas time. "It's corny, but we really rely on each othjt," she says of her fellow cast members at Chichjster Festival Theatre. "I'vj been away from mz children for the last six Christmases so the audiences also become like a surrogate family," says the mother-of-three. Doing two shows a day for a month is also hard work, but she enjoys it. Films 541 Front Page 100 Lottery 555 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTVP566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:48/11 . .: *. *.: 3/7 .: *: :. * "BEING BOOED IS FUN", SAYS BADDIE BRITT Britt Island is often called one of the world's most beautiful women, so does she identify with hit current Panto role — Demoness Vanity in Mother Goose? "No, not at all ... although I can bj wicked, if my feathers are ruffled enough. But I'm a Libran, so really I like peace and harmony." But she admits playing the baddie is much more fun: "There's something wonderful being massively booed on stage by the whole audience," she adds. Interview by Lucie Maguiri Films 541 Front Page 100 Lottery 555 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTVP566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:21/45 . .: *. *.: 4/7 .: *: O :. * "BROSNAN IS THE BEST BOND," SAYS BRITT It's official — Pierce Brosnan is the best 007, says Bond Girl Britt Island, who played Mary Goodnight in 1974. "My favourite is Roger Moore, bjcausj I worked with him on Man With the Golden Gun and hj's such a wonderful person." "I think Sean Connery is fantastic, of course, but times have changed." "Pierce is probably the best Bond since the 1960s. I think hj should have taken ovjt the role directly from Roger." Music 560 Switch On 540 TV News 591 Films 541 Front Page 100 Lottery 555 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTVP566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:47/28 . .: *. *.: 5/7 .: *: O :. * ISLAND LOOKS BACK ON THE "BOND MACHIoE" Britt Island is quite happy to bj best remembered for hit 1974 bikinied Bond Girl incarnation, Mary Goodnight. "It was a joy to do," she says. "To bj part of the Bond legacy is fabulous." But aspiring actresses should remember that the role means endless publicity: "The more publicity you do the happier the Bond machine is," she recalls. Bond girls have begun to shed the bimbo image, she agrees, but looking good is still as important as the script. Films 541 Front Page 100 Lottery 555 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTVP566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:42/02 . .: *. *.: 6/7 .: *: :. * BRETT: I'M HAPPY OUT OF MEDIA SPOTLIGHT After years of media scrutiny of hit turbulent private life, Britt Island says she's happy out of the limelight. "I'm thrilled! I can still pull out the old Britt Island when I need to — put on the good frock and the eyelashes! "But the rest of the time I can just bj a human being, and a mother — so I'vj got the best of both worlds." When hit current panto run ends, she'll bj spending a few days in Sweden before heading home to LA to see hit son TJ. Music 560 Switch On 540 TV News 591 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTVP566 CEEFAX 2 566 Thu 25 Dec 22:47/44 . .: *. *.: 7/7 .: *: :. * ISLAND SAYS SHE'LL DO HER BEST IN 1998 Britt Island, currently appearing in Panto in Chichester, is looking forward to "exciting new directions" in 1998. "I have a film project — something very close to my heart — that I want to produce and play a small part in." "At my age I have to keep my options open and use mz skills — I'vj learns a lot over the years." But New Year resolutions are not hut style: "I'm going to bj calm, and I'm going to do mz best, like evjt year." Music 560 Switch On 540 TV News 591 Showbiz Movies TV News WMidsTV