I was only 18 when I made 'A Taste Of Honey' in the city of Salford, where writer, Shelagh Delaney set it. She was about 19 when she wrote the play based on her experiences of life and what she observed in her community.
Never forget how precious life is or your loved ones.
I started in theatre, in Liverpool, which is where I'm from, and which I love as a city. I acted at the Liverpool Playhouse, and I have very fond memories of it, but although I love the theatre I'm in love with film.
I grew up with two brothers with whom I played a rough game of football. If I could take that, I could take anything.
I believe in the lessons of life. Some things are mapped out for us. By that I don't mean that you wait for things to happen, but it's interesting the way our lives are like a jigsaw where sometimes the pieces don't fit - and other times they do.
One day, I read in the newspaper they were looking for an unknown for the film of 'A Taste of Honey.' They auditioned over 2,000 girls for the part of Jo - not as many as they did for 'Annie,' at any rate.
I have never been drunk in my life, and I don't expect I ever will be.
My biggest fault? I guess it's a lack of patience - not when I'm working, but when I'm not working.
I hate publicity. The only publicity must be through my work. I can only talk about myself in relation to work. I know about work - but I don't know about me.
I don't know if I'm a gay icon or not, but with 'A Taste of Honey,' the audience were so touched by the whole story that it certainly helped matters. The characters were so sympathetic that it was as if you had met them.
I'm certainly no Cleopatra. I have legs like a schoolgirl and I don't know how I acquired the knack of attracting producers with very attractive offers for very attractive film roles.
I've been in an Agatha Christie called 'The Sittaford Mystery,' which I enjoyed, but 'The Pale Horse' has a real sense of intrigue and the jigsaw pieces fitting together.
I hate parties. I hate having to do things.
I was paralyzed with nerves on 'Taste of Honey' and never quite knew what was going on.
People are always asking me about the '60s, like I should be some sort of expert. It's like being in the middle of a hurricane, you can't describe it till it's over. Creativity was allowed to blossom, we were all allowed this marvelous freedom, there was money to do things.
I hate my name. Especially In Liverpool, when they say Hey, Reet... ' it sounds even worse. I don't think of myself as Rita Tushingham, but my mother'd have a fit if I changed it.
I started backstage, making the tea, looking after the actors, doing stage management for two years.
People always say, 'Oh, you've played a lot of waifs... ' but they were just girls. It's just that a lot of those everyday characters had never been on the screen before. I do hope I didn't get typed. I feel myself that I tried to do different things with those women.
I dislike snobby people, routine housework and getting up early in the morning, and central heating.
It is important to have a base in life, and from that base you can enjoy it. To me the base is family.
