Tonight will see the second part of the ABC mini-series Friday on My Mind air on TV. Following the first part airing last week, we caught up with actress Aileen Beale, who plays George Young’s mother in the series, to talk about it and the show’s reception.
This mini series is garnering quite a lot of acclaim already – did you anticipate the response Friday On My Mind when you were in process of making it?
The response that Friday on My Mind mini-series has garnered and has been a pleasant surprise, but shouldn’t be unexpected with the quality of the ABC/Playmaker production team and their detail to content.
What has being involved in this project taught you about the band and their impact on Australian music?
The Impact The Easybeats has had on me, is how pivotal they were and still are to the Australian and world stage of music. The extent of Vanda & Young in particular is never ending and will outlive all of us.
What was the most challenging part of your role and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of my role as Margaret Young was to do justice to a formidable woman and also getting a handle on the Glaswegian accent. When I got the audition I had to find someone immediately to help me with this. I waited until it was 9am in Glasgow and called a florist (her name was Rosie) she was incredibly generous and she went through my dialogue with me, I will always be extremely grateful to her.
What has been the best part about watching this production come together?
The best part about watching the ABC/Playmaker production of The Easybeats Friday on my Mind come together, was the comradery of the whole team. The director Matthew Saville, script by Christopher Lee, wardrobe Xanthe was amazing, hair & makeup – Jenny Lamphee and her team and also the band, The Easybeats was portrayed by an exceptionable group of talented young men.
There is a large viewing audience who will have grown up with the music of The Easybeats, how much did you know about their music before taking on the role?
I knew of The Easybeats music, I grew up listening to them, but I didn’t realise the extent or their impact on the music industry world wide.
Friday on my Mind concludes tonight at 8.40pm on ABC. Parts one and two will then be available on iView on demand.
Photo Credit: Amy Benjamin / ABC
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