Louise Jameson in Pulling Faces

»As leather-clad Doctor Who assistant Leela, Louise Jameson may have been cast for her sex appeal, but as her current one-woman show Pulling Faces demonstrates she’s also a damn good actress.

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Jameson, who currently stars in ITV’s Doc Martin, plays Joanne Taylor, a 55-year-old TV presenter whose career is on the skids because trendy media bosses think she’s past it.

Her arch nemesis Loretta Monterey seems to get all the best jobs, so Jo starts considering the only option available –plastic surgery.

Helen Goldwyn’s 50-minute monologue sees the actress playing many different characters, and it’s cleverly written so it feels like she’s addressing old friends.

Anecdotes

I saw it at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, in the Arnheim Gallery, an unusual venue for performances, with the audience encouraged to sit around tables in the style of a bingo night or a cabaret.

Several times we were asked to shout something out – the response was rather feeble, it has to be said – whether it be the choice of jacket she should wear or saying hello to her mum on the phone.

The unfolding anecdotes, told at first in flashback, were never confusing. We always knew where we were.

Jameson’s crystal clear delineation between characters was key here, and the spell she wove over her audience was magical.

Ranging from straightforward comedy to poignant reflections on the pitfalls of growing old(er), Goldwyn’s script rattled along with Jameson milking every line for maximum impact.

She really is an extraordinarily engaging actress.

When Jo decides to pursue a toyboy at a party, the future looks bright. Botox begone!

Sending out the transparent message to “love yourself”, this is a feel-good play that women of a certain age will, I’m sure, find much to identify with.

Mark Campbell