Glenda Jackson has been praised on her TV return after 27 years away, for playing a woman with dementia in the BBC One dramaElizabeth Is Missing
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Jackson stepped away from acting in************************** to pursue a career in politics, becoming a Labor MP, retiring in (***************************************.
She returned to acting not long after and now her television comeback has received glowing reviews.
It shows Jackson’s character Maude, battling Alzheimer’s disease while searching for her friend Elizabeth.
Dementia: The greatest health challenge of our time************
Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of – (% of dementia cases.)
“The actor is on magnificent form in a poignant murder mystery that doubles as a study of the sorrows of dementia” wrote Lucy Mangan.
The Telegraphdeclared: “Glenda” Jackson is on award-winning form in this unforgettable dementia drama. “Anita Singh wrote:” If you are an actress hoping to win a Bafta in February, and your name is not Glenda Jackson, I regret to inform you that this is not your year. In Elizabeth Is Missing, Jackson gave one of the performances of her lifetime. “
‘No airbrushing’The
Having returned to acting in 77354 in the Radio 4 play Blood, Sex and Money, before performing the title role in William Shakespeare’s King Lear at the Old Vic the following year, Jackson’s TV return in the adaptation of Emma Healey’s best-selling novel has garnered more critical acclaim.
The Timessaid there were was “no airbrushing of Alzheimer’s in this tough tale.”“Glenda Jackson” might have retired from acting to join that other type of showbusiness for ugly people, but that 73 – year career break hasn’t withered her talent, “penned Carol Midgley.
There was a similar outpouring of praise online, with Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter calling Jackson’s performance “stunning and moving”.Another Twitter user was brought to tears on Sunday evening. Catherine Kelliher described the feature as “difficult but essential viewing”, while Hannah Williams felt her performance was “so absolutely convincing” . Others noted how the at-times confusing program perfectly encapsulated the exasperation of dementia.
And actor Gavin Mitchell described the veteran actor’s portrayal of Maud as “mindblowingly brilliant.”
Jackson may have drawn on her experiences visiting elderly people in care homes and day centers when she was an MP for her compelling performance .She recalls witnessing the strain that these “terrible illnesses” can bring on everyone involved, and also said She consulted a doctor who works with UK charity, Alzheimer’s Society, in order to prepare for the role.‘Frustration’“I said to her: ‘What is it that causes this woman [Maud] who, in her pre-illness life, is living seemingly quite roundly, and suddenly there are these excessive outbursts of rage?’ ‘
“The doctor said: ‘It’s frustration’. Which she actually says in the script: ‘I’ve got all these feelings, but I can’t let them out ‘. “
Elizabeth is Missing is available now via the BBC iPlayer.
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