Lindsay Jayne, at 80, makes a film

Lindsay Jayne, at 80, is feeling somewhat alienated from the world. So she wrote her first play and then made a film of the dress rehearsal: A Spectacular Interview. It is due to screen at the White Rock Theatre on 25 October. She explained to Nick Terdre how it all came about.

At the age of 80 Lindsay wrote this screenplay because, she says, “I have no idea what people are talking about these days. I know others of my generation, and younger ones too, also say the same thing. I hope my film will encourage language to be simpler to understand and become less pretentious.”

The film is about an interview which features six spectacularly clad candidates who are applying for the position of CEO in the world’s largest company. The company is so large that it makes Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, et al, look like SMEs.

Can the Chair deal with the candidates’ dialogues during the interview? Is the intruder a plant – and what happens during the blackout? The suspense mounts.

Breaking new ground

Lindsay reckons she is breaking new ground. “I claim to be the only 80-year old woman in the world to have founded my own film company, Rickshaw Pix, and written my first screenplay, A Spectacular Interview. I have produced, cast, directed and appeared in this film which has been filmed as a dress rehearsal. Is there anyone out there who can beat my claim?”

Her appearance in the film was quite unintentional. “I had no idea I was sitting in front of a camera which was placed at the other end of the room when we were doing the shoot,” she declares good-humouredly, “so I removed myself as soon as I realised what was happening!”

She is keen to see everyone contributing to her creative endeavours having a good time. “I want everyone involved in my film – and stage – productions to enjoy themselves in whatever capacity they choose to join, i.e. scriptwriting, directing, wardrobe, make-up, stage construction, etc.”

Stage productions – that is a reference to The Daytime Theatre Players group which she also founded. This will soon be presenting public performances during weekday or Saturday mornings, she says.

Boundless energy

And where does all this boundless energy come from? “A good night’s sleep and a most welcome mug of weak tea brought to me every morning by my wonderful other half.”

Other films have been made or are in the pipeline. One already in the can is a rehearsal of JM Barrie’s play The Twelve Pound Look, of which Julia Andrews-Clifford, creative director of the Electric Palace, said, “I enjoyed watching The Twelve Pound Look – a sweet film.” Some of her productions can be viewed on the Rickshaw Pix website.

Life has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for Lindsay. As a child she lived in various countries where her father’s job took the family. After school she worked for 27 years as a secretary/PA for various companies in London until she decided to break free.

She has since been an air hostess, a DJ in Nairobi, a cruise ship programme coodinator, volunteer radio presenter, freelance journalist, biographical author and mature university student. After graduating she bought a Jawa motorbike and sidecar which she rode through nearly every county in the country raising money for a cancer charity.

She is still writing a book about that adventure, while also working as an audiobook producer, doing professional public speaking, trying her hand at stand-up comedy, doing a one-woman show and working as publisher/editor/proof reader for her own company.

“Now, at the age of 80, I am totally committed to making films – mine or anyone else’s,” she says. “It’s so challenging and great fun. I should have done this 40 years ago!!”

 

A Spectacular Interview: film by Lindsay Jayne Saturday 25 October, 10.30am-12.30pm, White Rock Hotel, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings TN34 1JU. Admission £10 (cash only).

For further information, email rickprod@aol.com or send a text or WhatsApp message to 07470 876743.

 

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