Julie Graham

Julie Graham Instagram – It’s 40 years today since my mum died. I was 18. Although it was traumatic and painful, it also made me resilient, brave even. It wasn’t until years later that I realised she had already given me the tools to be able to cope with her loss. We didn’t always have an easy relationship but I had a very happy, secure childhood and I know she loved me very much. It’s all that matters really. In the end. She was quite the character. Formidable, glamorous, witty, a great raconteur, fiercely political, a passionate socialist. She was on the board of our union Equity and was a staunch feminist. Her reputation for speaking her mind and refusing to put up with any bullshit were legendary which came as no surprise when I joined the profession and was frequently told stories about her exploits which made me more proud of her. Her roots were firmly planted in the theatre, she was a staple in all the big variety circles in Scotland, a panto stalwart but towards the end of her career she worked with some of the best theatre companies playing more dramatic roles. These photos are her in full actress mode, she was a wonderful performer, very funny but had the chops for drama too. She played a character called Marylin Lynch in Scotland’s first soap opera set in Glasgow about the residents of a block of flats called High Living. STV unfortunately destroyed all the reels, an act of cultural vandalism in my mind, so no footage exists. The first three photos are a still from the set, a publicity postcard and signing autographs with Phil McCall, her beloved on screen husband. The fourth , one of her first head shots. Then good fairy mode, unusual in that she always played the wicked queen/fairy/stepmother. One from a Play for Today. She certainly made her mark. My mama. Betty Gillin 1932-1984 🤍 | Posted on 09/Mar/2024 13:27:55