Prisoner of Melbourne: Sheila Florance
| Mister SF’s Roadshow: Prisoner of Melbourne |
On the Prisoner 30th Anniversary, a moment of silence on behalf of all former castmates and crew from Prisoner who have passed on, represented by Sheila Florance and Reg Evans.
Sheila Florance is Lizzie Birdsworth. Lizzie and Florance are arguably Prisoner’s most memorable personalities. On any of the few occasions when she actually has the line, “It’s me, Lizzie,” you may laugh simply because it couldn’t be anybody else. The inimitable Florance was one of Australia’s most renowned actresses of all time. Her role as the poisoner Lizzie started as comic relief, but by the time Franky Doyle snatches Lizzie’s teeth in Episode 6 it is already obvious that there is much more there. Florance created a living, breathing, grog-swilling septugenerian prisoner facing her sunset years behind bars. When Lizzie was released after mitigating circumstances came to light, her efforts to get back inside with her friends highlighted the real-life issue of recidivism among ex-cons with nowhere else to go. The character appears from the beginning until Episode 418 in 1984. Florance’s final film appearance is Australian cinema legend. A dying woman on and off screen in Paul Cox’s 1991 drama A Woman’s Tale, Florance bares her sole as Martha, creating an unforgettable and life affirming film. Florance died in 1991, a couple of days after receiving the Australian Film Institute’s Best Actress award for the role. Her storied life and long career are chronicled in the book, “On the Inside: An Intimate Portrait of Sheila Florance,” by Helen Martineau.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I love “Lizzie” and her performance in PRISONER throughout the series still gives me a laugh and I still love the show!
Every time I think of Prisoner, I think of Lizzie. She was a total riot, hahaha. My nickname is Zenga Burdsworth, hashed from a bingo-lovin’ glaswegian ‘burd’ and the legend of ‘Lizzie Birdsworth’.
When I grew up I didnt miss an episode of Prisoner and as the years went by and someone mentioned the show, dear old Lizzie was the first character I thought of. She was a true character in the show and will be missed by all who watched. Sheila Florence, thankyou and God bless.
I still watch Lizzie on dvd to this day. What a great actress.
I love prisoner and im in the process of collectig the whole series on dvd. Lizzie Birdsworth was an absolute hoot! Thanks for the memories Sheila and rest in peace!!!
Absolutely love Lizzie she was a great actress to which I am really appreciating now seeing the show in it’s entirety been replayed at the moment on fox. Great actress and actually would love to see more of her work.
Sheila Florence aka Lizzie was a tremenous actress. In Prisioner she really exceeded herself with her brilliant acting. Will always remember her as the mainstay of the show a favorite of mine.