Steve Coogan has revealed an embarrassing mishap from his early career that has haunted him for years. The actor, known for his comedic and dramatic performances, admitted that he once left Dame Harriet Walter stranded mid-performance on a revolving stage during his time as a stagehand.
Coogan recalled the moment while discussing their new Channel 4 drama, Brian and Maggie, in which he plays former Labour MP-turned-interviewer Brian Walden and Walter portrays Margaret Thatcher. "I did say to Harriet that we had worked together before, at the Royal Exchange in 1986," Coogan said.
"I was a stagehand who flew in lamps onto the stage. However, because it was a revolving stage - which I failed to revolve one night - I left her stranded as an actor just standing there on stage. But she says she doesn’t have any recollection of that! Of course, it’s haunted me for years.".
The drama explores the unusual connection between Walden and Thatcher, with Coogan describing it as “a political love story of sorts.” He explained, "The story to me was a fascinating one, which was this political love story of sorts between a disillusioned Labour politician and Margaret Thatcher, who was quite a radical politician at the time.
"The two of them were outsiders, and that’s what attracted them to each other above and beyond their political views. I think Brian was naturally on the left, from a working-class background, and Margaret Thatcher as well was from the lower middle class, the small tradespeople background.".
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