Interviewing our Elders (with Pirate like qualities)

Over the last few weeks we have been conducting a series of interviews with women who we see as contemporary women 'pirates', those who have had extraordinary (in whatever way) and also somewhat unconventional lives- who may have chosen an unusual path in some way, made some difficult or unconventional decisions, had success in whatever they do, but mainly that they are strong and determined. We liken those qualities to those who must have some of that 'pirate' inner fire, to have been able to make them happen. 


The questions are focussed on how being a woman has had an impact on their life and career and particularly what advice they may have for younger women. We have filmed these interviews and some parts of which may be used at points during the show by being projected on to the set. As the set transforms it will create the feeling of the workings of a ship, with the sails providing an ideal surface for such video projections. The idea is that every night, one of these women will appear as a contemporary female pirate, to offer their own individual musings and advice, which in turn will help the performers on their quest to discover what it is to be a woman in 2012.

Yesterday Kirsty Lothian and I headed to west  London to interview Diana Melly - Author, Former Model and wife of late UK Jazz Artist George Melly. 

Diana was fantastic to speak with, she struck me as somewhat of a non-conformist and one who has led an extraordinary life. Whether Diana likes to think it or not, I certainly felt as though she had a lot of wisdom and sound advice to impart to her younger counter parts, there was a real sense of being at ease with her self now as an older woman, but interestingly some of the dilemmas that were prevalent to her as a young woman growing up were things that I could certainly relate to as a 20 - something female living in 2012. 

Read more about Diana Melly here in an interview for The Guardian by Lynn Barber. 

Lorraine Wood 

Assistant Producer - The Pirate Project