Bernice Mary Stegers was born on the 12th of July, 1949 in Liverpool and appeared in local repertory theatre plus minor roles on TV, such as her first part as a Russian girl in 'Catch Me A Spy' (1971) and then in 6 episodes of 'Life and Death of Penelope' ( 1976) as Imogen. Then she was given the opportunity of a role in Fellini's 'City Of Women' (1980), as a woman on a train. The film begins with Marcello Mastroianni as Snàporaz waking up on a long train journey only to catch the eye of an attractive and enigmatic woman (Bernice Stegers) who excites his sexual interest so much he tries to make love to her in the toilets before mindlessly following her off the train at her station, which turns out to be a field in the middle of nowhere. It was in 1980 that she married the English film and television director and producer Mike Newell with whom she would have three children.The following year she had a more prominent role in the horror film 'Macabre' (1980) as Jane Baker, a woman who by day keeps her dead lover's severed head in her fridge, but by night, takes it to bed with her. Another role in a horror film was 'Xtro' (1982) and then in November 1985 she appeared at the Young Vic Studio, London as the central character alongside Joyce Irvine in the psychological murder mystery 'Blood Relations' written by Sharon Pollock.
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| Joyce Irvine (left) and Bernice in 'Blood Relations' |
Her next major role was as Mrs Tremaine in the TV series 'Little Sir Nicholas' (1990), in which she appeared in all 6 episodes. Based on the novel by CA Jones, it is a story set in the Victorian era about heritage, identity and family rivalries. There followed the mini series 'To Play the King' (1993), and then 'A Dark Adapted Eye' (1994) followed before she had a minor role as a shop assistant in the film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (1994) for which her husband Mike won a 'Best Director' award. More TV work saw her as Lady Fauntleroy in 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' (1995) and then as Ella in 'Family Money' (1997). These TV series were followed by more supporting roles before she was in another series 'Undercover' (2015) and then as Minnie in all 6 episodes of 'The Last Czars' (2019), a chronicled look at the fall of the Romanov dynasty in Russia. She has appeared in other works directed by her husband, such as 'Great Expectations' (2012) and 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society' (2018).
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| 2019 in 'Torch Song' at the Turbine Theatre, London |
Throughout this time Bernice was still been active on stage and played Fay in 'The Only True Story of Lady Godiva (1975). Then as Lady Basildon in 'Homage to Neruda' (1978), she performed at the Tamahnous Theatre Workshop in British Columbia that specialized in experimental theatre. In 2019 she took the part of Ma in 'Torch Song' at the Turbine Theatre, London. A review said, "Playing the part of Arnold’s mother seems more forceful than ever. Taking the part, Bernice Stegers can land a Jewish joke as well as anyone, but there’s also such pain, anger and confusion in her depiction that it is breathtaking."
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2023/12/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians-bill.html
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