Pat & Cabbage

Cherie Lunghi talks about playing Cabbage...

Hi Cherie. What drew you to this project?

I'd been hoping to do more comedy. I'd finished a tour of Steel Magnolias, which is a very funny play, and I had appeared in the second series of Starlings. I really enjoyed those projects, and was looking for another comedy when this one came up. I thought, "Brilliant!" It's such a fantastic story about this wonderful duo. I was over the moon to be offered it.

What other aspects attracted you to Pat & Cabbage?

It's brilliantly written. I'm not going out of my way to flatter the writers, but I'm happy to say that I laughed out loud when I read it. I thought, "This really tickles me. It is very smart and witty." The writers are both excellent actresses, and they have a terrific ear for lines and for timing. It's very easy to find the rhythm in their writing. It's fantastic material to work with.

Please talk us through the character of Cabbage...

She's a bit off the wall. She's very volatile and adventurous and impulsive. She's going to have a good time no matter what. She is still interested in flirting and thinking, "Where can I meet men?"

How would you describe her relationship with Pat?

They've known each other for a long time. They've gone through marriages and children together. But two years ago, they became even closer because Pat's husband died and Cabbage's husband left her for a younger woman. So they become playmates and best friends. Now Pat and Cabbage are discovering their lives without men. They are finding out what life is like for women of this age who are no longer in the partnership that they thought they would be in. It's great because they discover a whole new lease of life. Now that they're brought up their children and their husbands have gone, they have got an entirely new sense of freedom.

Have you found it working with Barbara?

It's been lovely, an absolute joy. She's a fantastic actress. She's also very funny, although we're not allowed to laugh at each other during scenes. A lot of bonding always goes on with the people you're working with, and Barbara and I have really bonded.

How do you feel about the fact that this programme stars two older women?

It's fantastic. Unfortunately, it's still unusual, so we remark on it. But hopefully there will come a time when we don't need to remark on it. But Barbara and I are counting our blessings. There aren't a lot of these roles around. But I feel it's changing. The lives of women of our generation are becoming more interesting to commissioners. Look at shows like Love And Marriage. Women are a large part of the audience, and they want to see their lives reflected on screen.

Tell us about Cabbage's son, Dylan.

He's the child who will never leave home. There are lots of boys like that. Even though he's now in his forties, he is the eternal boy, like Peter Pan. He doesn't want to take responsibility.

Cabbage has created this situation by treating far too well over the years. But now her husband has run off, it's quite nice having someone around. But in the end, she wants him out, especially when he starts bringing his girlfriend home!

Do you feel that Pat & Cabbage chimes with your own life?

Definitely. I'm 61 now. My girlfriends and I all have children in their twenties doing their own thing. With no disrespect to our children, we all feel like it's now a question of, "Where was I before I was interrupted?" You can say to your children, "I've done my job. Now off you go. I got other things to do." We have great freedom at this age.

Do you and Cabbage share any characteristics?

At first, I didn't think I was similar to her. But now I think I do have a side that is like Cabbage. I think as you get older, you become a more confrontational and less meek. I'm not backward in coming forward. But I love the fact that you get tremendous freedom from speaking your mind! It's a challenge. It's fun daring each other. You become a benign troublemaker.