"My life really did begin at 40. Not only with going to college, but also with where I was in my head.

I had grown so much and I felt like I was a better person."

When is your birthday?
14th April

Tell us about a special birthday of yours?
My 40th was very special. I had two parties.














I was graduating from Drama school and I had a little party with my college friends at the local pub. It was electric.

The saying, life begins at 40 means a lot to me...I was graduating after studying three years for a degree in Professional Acting!

Towards the end of the course it was really hard work because we were preparing for our final showcases, which acting agents would come along to see, and perhaps take us on their books if they liked us.

Alongside this I had to think about writing off to other agents.  So many things were going on. It was a very exciting but very stressful time.

My birthday was just two weeks before leaving drama school and, thankfully I had my first acting job set up; a tap dancer in theatrical play.

I was fortunate to have an agent at this time.

So you celebrated big?
Big time. I was so happy. At the pub I bawled my eyes out. I couldn’t believe that I was graduating from college, having left school 24 years before!

I studied at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts. I was one of the eldest, even older than some of the teachers!  The rest were 18 or 19 years old, on average. I was the mother, giving advice, and I took advice from the young ones.

So you’ve never looked back?
No, it was worth every second. My life really did begin at 40. Not only with going to college, but also with where I was in my head.
I had grown so much and I felt like I was a much better person.

I decided to go back to study when I turned 35. I thought: What am I doing with my life? My son was growing up; I wanted to be a good role model for him. I wanted him to see me doing something apart from music.
I basically wanted something more - to get some ‘papers’ and be a professional.

Acting is something I have wanted to do since I was child.

At 35 I studied for a BTEC National Diploma in performing Arts for two years, at Lewisham College.

I didn’t even know that I could go on to drama school after Lewisham College. I thought to myself: Let me just do this course and I will get to do some acting.

I learned so much about myself in those two years, and about the art of drama, including various techniques.

I also had some great teachers who encouraged and helped me to go on to drama school.
I applied to five drama schools before getting into Webber Douglas, which was one of the best ones and the best choice for me.

After this major cause for celebration what else did you do?
My nephew had just become a partner of a new nightclub, Virgos, in Southwark, London and said I could have my party there.

Because of my musical background, almost every known DJ on the straight (reggae) scene came to  play for me, including Courtney Melody (Vibes FM), Sir Lloyd, Natty B and Gammo Speng.
 
I called my singer friends; Paulette Tajah, Winston Reedy and Kofi, who came and did a PA. I sang too.

I had a leather basque trousers suit made. At first I felt really naked and thought:  I can’t wear this, I’m going to be 40! But it looked really nice. I felt a million dollars.

One of the most beautiful things which happened that night, was a surprise appearance from Nathan, my son, (who is a singer too).  He was away performing in Manchester so I thought he wouldn’t be able to make it.

Lorna & Son Nathan

I was just about to go on stage (to sing my tune, Got to find a Way) and I heard a commotion. I then saw Nathan walking through the crowd. He said: 'I made it back mum!’ That is when I really started to bawl. Nathan always finds a way. We both ended up singing my song on stage.




 

So it was a good night all round?
It was beautiful. I was surrounded by all of my friends, including my college mates, and all of my family.
These people were the ones who had encouraged me through the difficult times at college. 

Is it true that you insist on having a cake, candles and everyone sing to you on your birthday?
I have to have it all or it doesn’t feel like my birthday. It’s in my blood. I am from a family of ravers!

Every year my mum made sure all of her eight children had a cake on their birthday.
We lived for her baking – cakes, bun and wholemeal bread.  She also decanted grape juice and we pretended to have a drink!

This year you celebrated your birthday at the All White Spring Ball , on the Thames?
Yes, Nigel & Co. had a party on a boat on the Thames in December – The President’s Ball. It was fantastic.

  
Lorna & friends at the All White Spring Ball

When I heard they were organising another one around the time of my birthday, I called Nigel and asked him if I could celebrate there and bring my cake too!
I thought it would be an ideal location for my celebration.

The atmosphere on the boat and the people and the music made it so very special. Venues  like this tend to attract special people.
It was nice not to be at a nightclub.
I love feeling good and being around nice people, and I wanted that vibe again.

What did you wear?
Last year I wore a red ball gown and I pinned my hair up.  I felt like a beautiful, lovely lady!
This year I wore a white three-piece suit.

You had another celebration this year, with your family?
Yes, the actual day of my birthday, a Tuesday, I went to Sebastians wine bar in West Norwood, London.

All of my family and close friends were there. It was a karaoke comedy night and I sang Boys to Men’s I’ll make Love to you, and Let’s Get it on by Marvin Gaye.  We had a laugh.

The owner sent over a bottle of champagne on ice - another essential ingredient for my birthday.
In fact, a good birthday for me should include old school music, cake, champagne and good company.

Any wisdom for our readers?
Every day is our birthday and another day given for us to do whatever we want with it.

When a birthday comes along, nothing else should matter other than acknowledging the fact that we have lived through another year. This in itself is cause for celebration.

Every moment we go through is a learning curve, so we must have taken something from the year gone by. Birthdays are a blessing.

Lorna now also heads up G-UP Drama workshops. See listings for further information.