Woods, Mildred

Actress never stops learning

First published The Press 10 January 1974

Acting was a skill that was learned by experience, and a skill which “one just never stops learning,” the Christchurch actress, Mildred Woods, said yesterday.

“Even if you go to drama school, you can only be taught the rudiments — the broad outline — the test comes when you are on the stage in front of an audience,” she said. “With a lot of people, acting is instinctive, but as well as the talent for it you must have a sense of discipline. It is no use acting in any play if you are going to be halfhearted about it.” Mrs Woods has been actively involved in the theatre for 25 years.

YOUTH GROUP

Her introduction to acting came after her marriage, when she and her husband moved from London, which had always been her home, to Essex. They joined a youth club, and from there grew the idea for a drama group. “So we got together and did some plays, and everybody enjoyed themselves. Actually the group is still going.” When she came to New Zealand, with her husband, to settle in Christchurch, Mrs Woods “knew not a soul.”

“I realised I would have to go out and meet people, and I had done some acting, so I got in touch with the Christchurch Repertory Society, and from that sprang a union that lasted seven years.” She was also very much involved with radio drama in Christchurch and had acted in more than 400 radio plays.

BLOW TO THEATRE

“I think it was a big blow to theatre in Christchurch when the N.Z.B.C. closed its radio studios here. It is miraculous, really, that professional theatre — like the Court Theatre — has managed to maintain itself in Christchurch. We are all hoping that the N.Z.B.C. will see fit to reopen the studios. Having them here meant that professional actors from other centres would come to Christchurch, and the people here who made their living from acting were able to do radio work.”

Mrs Woods joined the Court Theatre when it began about three years ago. and has been involved with it “onstage, off-stage and front of ‘the house” since.

EVERY FACET

She believes it essential for an actor to involve himself fully in every facet of theatre work so that he becomes “not just an actor but a theatre person. And one can learn so much by just watching — but then one learns a lot more by one’s mistakes. I am still making mistakes and still learning from them.”

Mrs Wood’s first role with the Court Theatre was in “Sleeper’s Den,” and she has appeared in other Court productions of “The Maids,” “Roots,” and “Home.” as well as in University Drama Club productions like “Mother Courage.”

She was in Dame Ngaio Marsh’s production of “Henry V,” performed at the opening of the Town Hall.

CHARACTER PARTS

She also appears in the Court Theatre’s next play, "If I Bought Her the Wool.” “I enjoy character parts most of all. When I first arrived in New Zealand most of the character parts played were terribly proper ladies — it was because of my English accent — but after a while I seemed to be doing nothing else but coarse Cockney ladies.

For a while I began to despair of ever; using my own voice on the stage.”

Mrs Woods will also appear in the N.Z.B.C. television comedy series, “Buck House,” which is expected to begin in March.

“Television, of course, is an entirely new medium for me as an actress. It is a difficult medium to work in, but you can learn a lot just by watching more experienced television actors working.” Mrs Woods is president of Equity, the actors’ trade union, in Christchurch.

“The Court Theatre, which is not yet even fully professional, has been good to its actors. Equity need only ask for a rise, and it is granted. I would probably make in a one-week run now what I would have made in a threeweek run when the Court first opened. “I work my guts out for the Court, but to me actors always come first.”

Second family

Originally published in Press, 19 October 1976, Page 23

The thing that amazes Mildred Woods, (Mrs Featherstone) about Close to Home is the way in which viewers have taken the series and the characters to their hearts. And, the attention she gets from the public can be embarrassing at times, particularly when she is recognised on public transport. Mildred is fond of meeting people and welcomes an opportunity for “a good natter.” Mildred, or Millie, as she is affectionately known to the rest of the cast, began her career in Britain. In 1952 she emigrated to New Zealand and now considers herself a real New Zealander. She settled in Christchurch where she became involved in theatre with the Canterbury Repertory Company and the Children’s Theatre. Then followed eight years as a radio actress during which she was off stage completely. In 1968 she returned to the stage doing professional work for universities and also becoming one of the founders of the Court Theatre. With the closing of radio drama in Christchurch by the N.Z.B.C. the most lucrative avenue of employment for Mildred suddenly dried up. It was about this time that she made her first television appearances in Christchurch produced panel games.                  

In April, 1975, Mildred went to Wellington to see what work was offering and out of the blue was offered the role of Mrs Featherstone, The only aspect of this development that disturbed Mildred was being away from her family in Christchurch. However, the “Close To Home” cast has become almost a second family to her.