Style speaks to actress and author
Celia Imrie On writing her next book… Beginning a new book is a bit like putting on your boots at the starting slopes of a mountain.Yes, I have another planned and I am a quarter of the way up ‘the climb’ so far…
On the adventure of writing her new book ‘Orphans of the Storm’... It was an extraordinary adventure of discovery. Luckily, while writing, I had the invaluable contribution of Fidelis Morgan’s meticulous research. Together we went to the archives in Nice and uncovered bare facts that completely turned the given story of the Orphans on its head.
On the possibility of making Orphans of the Storm into a film…and if so, the character she might play… Of course, I would adore my book to be made into a film, and The Titanic seems to have an endless fascination world-wide. Madame Magail is who I would like to play as she is a wonderful mixture of steel and velvet.
On her favourite character in the book... I think possibly Madame Magail. She was Marcela’s (mother of the two infants) Aunt Therese. Firm but fair, yet like a lioness, fiercely protective of her family. On the adventure of moving to Nice in France... Daring – I went out to the shops for a baguette and came back with a flat. It has been a glorious adventure. Nice is a truly welcoming and ravishing city. On Isle of Wight adventures... My most memorable event on the Isle of Wight was the birth of my wonderful son Angus. Very happy memories when I bought my first house in St Mary’s Road and my second next door, for my darlings Mother and Nanny. Yes, I miss the mad and marvellous parties we used to have during Cowes Week, when once the young musicians in the street came to play in
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Photo credit Chris Floyd
my garden for my guests. Riding my bike to Gurnard to the quizzes at The Woodvale. And glorious sunrises and sunsets over The Solent. On returning to the Island recently for her book launch... The Sunday travelling on the train wasn’t the best adventure… but returning with Fidelis to give a talk about my book ‘The Orphans of the Storm’ to a full house at The Island Sailing Club was very flattering and very good fun.
Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie, published by Bloomsbury Publishing, can be ordered at Medina Book shop in Cowes, online and at other bookshops.
