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IF you haven’t heard about the production Cat On A Hot Tin Roof that is currently running in London’s West End, you’ve probably been in hibernation for the past few months. However, you could be forgiven for not knowing that behind the theatrical family tale is a real-life family story.

The play’s director Debbie Allen and leading actress Phylicia Rashad are quite literally sisters doing it for themselves. Allen, a renowned director, producer and choreographer – who also starred in ‘80s film Fame – convinced her big sister to take up the leading role in her hit production, saying playfully, “I told her that if she didn’t do it, I was gonna tell mama!” Thankfully, Rashad agreed, and is now wowing audiences with her portrayal of loving but long-suffering wife Big Mama in Allen’s adaptation (which features an all-black cast) of Tenessee Williams’ classic play.

Of course, Rashad is best-remembered for playing headstrong wife and mother Clair Huxtable in the much-loved comedy, The Cosby Show. The role earned her a reputation as a motherly figure; one who naturally commands respect. But that doesn’t mean Rashad doesn’t know how to take orders – especially from her sister.

“She can be bossy at times, but she has a wonderful way of working with us a cast,” Rashad says of Allen. “Every actor is different and so a director almost has to learn so many different languages, in order to communicate with one cast. I love to watch Debbie maneuver through this field of languages; she does it so well and so honestly. She’ll beat us up when she has to, and then turn around and tell us how wonderful we are! But she’s always honest.”

ADMITTING that they were “always close,” Allen cites their closeness in age (Allen is 59 and Rashaad is 61) for their bond, but also their similar interests in theatre and dance. Their bond becomes evident when they break into laughter, as Allen reveals her sister’s way with the fellas…

“We’re best friends – we share every secret. We talk about our children, the men in our lives… You know, men follow her around the airport trying to give her jewellery. I can’t go anywhere with her!”

Rashad quickly interjects: “Oh, don’t exaggerate.” But Allen continues: “Last year, I did a big production called Oman and I convinced her to come along. The minute she walked in, people dropped me like a hot potato! She had the top people running around after her and one guy even said about her, ‘She could be my next wife. Whenever she wants me, I’ll come running!’

But despite these apparent romantic offers, mother-of-two Rashad – who has been married and divorced three times – says she’s happy single.

“Truthfully, I’ve not met one man – or, shall I say, I’ve not married one man – who can compare to my father. I never set out to compare anyone to my father. But growing up, I became accustomed to being treated with love and respect from my father. I said to my father years ago, ‘You always treated me with love and respect, and now, it’s impossible for me to accept any less.’

“So now, the only male I would consider marrying is my cat,” she laughs. “I’m a born-again bachelorette. Why should I get married again? I enjoy such freedom and peace of mind. I don’t wanna give that up!”

In contrast, Allen is happily married to former basketball player Norman Nixon and the pair have two children.

“I’ve been married for 25 years – I want a medal,” Allen laughs. “This is my second marriage. Marriage in this world is not easy, especially for accomplished women. But my husband is an extraordinary man. He became one of the best basketball players during his time, playing with the Los Angeles Lakers. I met him… he was such a handsome man! But he also loved to read books and he loved art and he loved theatre. So he could be in my world and enjoy it, and I could disappear in his world too. Our marriage has had its challenges. But we still enjoy being with each other and we have a lot to look forward to.”

But even with Allen’s longstanding marriage – and Rashad’s many suitors – the sisters always make time for each other and insist, there was never any rivalry between them.

“We were raised by amazing parents and the success of one person in the family was considered a success for everyone,” Allen says. “When we were younger, I guess there was probably more of a clash between us because I was always following behind her; always wearing her clothes, that kind of thing. But as a family, we all delighted and cheered in any family achievement, whether it was someone graduating from high school, or being in a play – whatever.

“I remember when Phylicia was accepted to the Negro Ensemble Company, where she would get to work with some of the most amazing African American artists on the planet. It was scary that she was going to New York by herself, but it was exciting too… and eventually I followed her!”

Born in Houston, Texas, Rashad and Allen’s father was a dentist (he died in 1984) and their mother is a writer, who still pens poetry and literary works. With a family that also boasts educators, legislators and what both sisters call “salt of the earth people,” the pair believe that their varied family background is what cultivated their own interests and desires.

But acknowledging that times have changed since their humble beginnings, Allen admits that she has embraced modern-day technology developments – even Twitter.

“Oh, I do Twitter,” she says. “I have a huge dance academy and I do so many different things, and so Twitter is a great way to let people know where I am. It simplifies your life in many ways, allowing you to connect with friends and people who are interested in you. But I don’t Twitter every minute like, ‘I went to the bathroom’! I talk about things that are interesting to me.

“But Phylicia doesn’t do any of that. I told her ages ago, ‘Phylicia, I emailed you the script’. She was like, ‘Oh, really?’ So she had to learn how to download things and all of that. Facebook is the next step for her…”

Phylicia interjects: “I’m not doing it! I don’t do all those things. Years ago, when computers first came about, my mother asked someone, ‘What happens if computer technology should all go wrong?’ The person said, ‘Well if that should happen, humanity must turn around and go the other way.’ So I’m not waiting for that to happen. I’ll stay out of all of that and keep my life simple!”

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is at the Novello Theatre, London until April 2010.

For tickets visit www.novellotheatre.com

Published: 21 December 2009
Issue: 1403

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