The Ottawa Journal from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Page 56

1 1. 12 Acara 547 Bank Mill LA Toronto By MARGARET PENMAN TMwto Telegram News Service LONDON (TNS) "I sat there and, sat there and although I didn't believe I would ever get it. I always thought that I could." o's Linda Thorson waited all summer to hear if she would indeed step into the series that has made two other actresses famous. At 20 Linda Robinson, as she was known Toronto, has captured the female role- alongside Patrick Macnee in "The Avengers." She will play a new girL Tara King, who succeeds Emma Peel played by Diana Rigg and Kathy played by Honor A CANDLES ARE "IN" FOR GIFTS FOR THE HOME THE CANDLE SHOP 237 tmmk Strt mt Llsgar CUSTOM MADE QJDTT BRITISH WOOLLENS NORMAN BECK TAILOR TSSBankSL 2ZZ-21U (Mr FM AJ Metal FrM Stwmim FIREPLACES ADVANOD PREFABS (Feanomicat LTD. 235-1849 GORDO' mmnovs The House of istinguished Furniture HBf THE TV JOURNAL February 10-16 Gift Blackman, as Steed's companion against crime.

For a girl just out of acting school, completely unknown, completely inexperienced, it is a fabulous opportunity "I have a five year contract with Associated British Picture Corporation, she said over' lunch at Elstree Studios. "And, it will lead to feature films. But I really want to go on the stage and play large dramatic roles after this contract is finished." Self willed, very impulsive, Linda Thorson seems more than -able to. look after herself. She corrected me quickly.

"No, it's not my first professional I. did a television film, A Month In The Country, with Susanna York and Ian MacShane for U.S. television this summer and this is not my first interview. There was the press conference, but yes it is my first personal interview. The first I've wanted to do." GOOD MEASURE She answered my questions with a candor' that her publicists will probably try to knock off her.

Then she threw in for good measure; "Do yea want to know who my favorite actor Tara King, the girl in the series, is completely new character. Linda explained, "She is a very kappy enthusiastic girl who grew up on a farm and learned to do all the things-you do on a farm. She learned to shoot on a farm. She also went to a finishing school in Switzerland. And she's been looking her life for someone just like Steed.

She fancies him like mad. Part of the attraction is that he does such exdting things and she loves adventure. She's supposed to be a sexy blonde, not dumb one. Linda's own dark brown hair has beea covered by a curly blonde wig. Neither Tara nor Linda is a Jodo, expert.

But she is called upon to fight. "I fight like any woman attacked by man. I kick, and scratch." Fir feet nine indies tail, weighing 14t lbs. clad in a mini culotte dress and thigh high leather boots, she looks as if she can handle any man. I can.

I'm very strong." The afternoon's film i I watched called for her to mow a man down with a machine 232-CS89 i KJBB I New Drapes for the I Living Room? I HAVE YOUR CHESTERFIELD SUITE RE-UPHOLSTERED 1 TO MATCH TOUR RAF ESI a If Nov at specUl introductory prices we hare many de- iUrbtfol and durable fabrics. 3 Choose from tapestries. brocades, broeateOes, mate-lasses, textured fabrics, tone on tone and plains. all srrs WILL KSMrrtfOLsTKKCo and RCTUajICD TWO WCKKS rtwwJwJJ wjf 21Mt St by 'ArroarmBHT only fo 'The Avengers gune. Part of her fitness she attributes to a Canadian girlhood.

She grew up skating, water-skiing in Muskoka, and riding- Despite her Canadian background she-claims she never wants to live anywhere but London. She came here three years ago to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and she's travelled just about everywhere on the continent including Russia, and other eastern European countries. But London is "It's the most fantastic city. You can go to a different theatre or movie every night." Linda Jives alone here and has just moved into a new flat in Primrose HilL i Life is all work' for her these i days. ''I'm called for every morning at 8.30.

We start shooting at 8.30 and go on until 5.30. Most days I have a boiled egg in my dressing room for lunch. I don't usually come up here to the executive dining room. I'm gwiiiwnnunmmummammnnuninnM on a fantastic diet Everybody thinks I should lose weight except me." A life of work seems to be the way she wants it, "I hate leaving the studios. I'm happiest when I'm working, and working very, very hard.

I don't have a social life now. Most' of my friends were RADA people and now they've all dispersed. Most of the time when I do go out to the theatre I go alone. I do. have frends I go to dinner with, but living here has made -me very independent and I can look after myself on my own.

now." Part of the story is, a. broken marriage. She was married when she was very young in Toronto to Barry Bergthorson. But it didn't work out and the two are separated. "I love children and would love to.

have lots. But I just can't see getting married again. I've always wanted to be an actress. I guess it was Nancy Piper at Bishop Strachan School (Toronto) who pushed me into it, and made- me think I could do it. But at home I was always the one who got the riding les-- sons or the dancing lessons.

I was treated as the prodigy." Her father, Martin Robinson, formerly head of Jenny Lind, who sold the business and. became a maths teacher, sent her to RADA. Linda clearly worships him. "He's completely unselfish. RADA cost a fortune and there wasn't a word of complaint." She worked for him as a secretary for a year and regrets, that they can't still be together.

Her father's faith in hervseems to be well founded. At RADA she won a scholarship for singing, a prize for voice produc- tion, and an honors diploma. When she first auditioned. Principal John Fernald told her, "You'll either be the biggest thing ever or nothing. There won't be' anything in between for you." IK 5 i 3 3 1 5 3 Free Make Salle mt fetom-IMe Draperies NOW FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY! ABSOLUTELY NO LABOUR CHARGES ON MAKE-UP OF DRAPES -ANY WIDTH -ANY LENGTH Choose now from our many exquisite fabrics and new exciting patterns and designs.

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