A new exhibition curated by psychotherapist Simon McKay, at Gallery 286, in Earls Court, until 14 December, explores the extraordinary life of his friend, the actress Fenella Fielding, best-known as the beautiful, vampish Valeria Watt in the film Carry on Screaming
Since the COVID-19 pandemic it has become more common for many people to pursue two very different careers due to factors such as the desire for more fulfilment and the opportunity to gain new skills. For some it’s a necessity to pay bills, while for others it’s a choice to have more variety and avoid becoming stagnant, stuck on one path. Simon McKay successfully combines working as a psychodynamic psychotherapist with writing and curating art exhibitions. His new show exploring the long and colourful career of his friend, the actress Fenella Fielding opens at Gallery 286, in Earls Court this weekend, with an accompanying book to be published later this month.
In the 1970s I spent many hours glued to the TV screen, as a child, watching horror films, particularly in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night and remember being mesmerized by the beautiful, vampish Valeria Watt in the 1966 comedy-horror film, Carry on Screaming, which parodied Hammer House of Horror movies. Fenella’s performance as the seductive and sinister sister of a mad scientist was praised for blending comedy and camp with her distinctive husky voice. This was Fenella’s most celebrated film performance and most iconic “screamer” role, which produced her most famous line, “Do you mind if I smoke?” which she delivers as smoke literally begins to pour out of her body.
How did Simon meet Fenella?
He answers with a smile: “In 2011, I had just started a psychodynamic psychotherapy training at WPF. I’d been used to working full time, managing IT projects in the city and now found myself with only about ten hours of contact time a week. I wondered what I’d find to fill, what seemed like mass of spare time. I started by going to lots of exercise classes at the local gym. That’s where I met Fenella – in a Pilates class! Once we got going, I’d spend all of the time I could with her. We did lots of fun things, but also we were writing her memoirs and I’d accompany her on her professional engagements. Even though she was in her late eighties, she still had lots of bookings.”
Did you work with her in your professional role as a psychotherapist?
“Fenella and I were friends, so I didn’t work with her professionally. When I qualified in 2015, she came to see my consulting room in Euston. I was concerned because I only had two clients at that time. She sat there and said, “Darling, don’t worry, I’m going to come back in disguise to make up the numbers.” Of course she was joking, but I did recognise
that, as a woman in her eighties, she was processing a lot of the past. Out of the blue, she would often recount early life experiences and I adore life story stuff. That’s my big interest. I’ve been in private practice for ten years now, and I’ve always enjoyed putting the pieces together and accepting all of the bits that don’t fit neatly together,” said Simon.
How about Fenella’s health?
“Throughout Fenella’s life, she had always had very poor eyesight. She told me when she was very tired, she had a bit of a lazy eye. And occasionally, she does look slightly boss-eyed in some of her films and photos. She said: “For years I groped my way through life, ignoring relations in the street and singing to the wrong person at auditions. Even making friends became a sort of lucky dip as it took some time for people to swim into focus.” Fortunately, the situation was very different by the time I met her. Just a few years prior she had had laser eye surgery. After the procedure, she told me how astonished she had been and had exclaimed to the doctor, “I can actually see you!” She also boasted that, while her brother who also benefitted from the procedure had insisted on a general anaesthetic, she had had a local.”
‘In 1966, Fenella was living in a Marble Arch penthouse, playing in the West End nightly in a quality smash hit play and had also appeared in a big budget film with Tony Curtis and filmed Carry on Screaming, had her own TV show and was the highest paid actress in advertising.’ However, by 1981, Fenella was claiming unemployment benefit in Hammersmith, a reflection of how precarious arts careers can be. Thankfully if you can run two different careers alongside each other it is unusual for both of them to go under at once.
If you are looking for some light relief as the nights lengthen, McKay’s lively exhibition and accompanying book about his friendship with Fenella and her rollercoaster life, provides a perfect tonic. It is fascinating to read his trained psychotherapist’s take on Fenella’s strained relationship with her more conventional father who tried to prevent her from becoming an actress. The book is available now and comes with a cheque, from a batch found in storage, signed by Fenella in 1978. It is packed with anecdotes from famous people including Kenneth Williams, Quentin Crisp, Harold Pinter and Laurence Olivier and Peter Wyngarde who remarked “adored your flirtatious granny!”
Don’t miss seeing the exhibition!
Fenella Fielding – Onstage, Offstage: A look at Fenella’s life through her personal effects showing at Gallery 286, from October 30 – December 14 2025 – Viewing by appointment – www.fenellafielding.com; [email protected]
Dear Fenella Dear Letters by Simon McKay, published by Quoit Media Ltd. in hardback, available now from www.fenellafielding.com, www.eustontherapy.com
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