Lily Streames
She played in Alexander Jones’ Dollar Baby Stationary Bike as Richard’s wife.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Lily Streames: I am a London based Actress. I do a range of different kinds of work which always keeps things interesting, in the past year I have worked on various screen projects as well as theatre and I am currently in Spain rehearsing for four plays which will tour Europe for the next 8 months. Recently I have turned my hand to other areas of the industry having directed a show in the summer. I also own a theatre company and am currently writing and producing a couple of shows too. It is always fun to expand skills sets.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?
Lily Streames: I knew I wanted to become an actress from a very early age. I always felt at home in the theatre and being dramatic was definitely one of my natural talents!
SKSM: How did you become involved in Stationary Bike Dollar Baby film?
Lily Streames: I saw a post online by the film’s producer Katie with the casting breakdown and so I wrote to them asking for an audition. I sent off a tape and the rest is history.
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Lily Streames: Stephen King’s work has enticed film makers for decades. There is something about his work that is totally relatable. It taps into our deepest fears and realises them in a way that feels as if it could actually happen. With Stationary Bike for instance we see a man who is ridden with loss and guilt. As an audience we can totally relate to his character. There are no monsters or gauls only pure psychological drama and for me that is scary!
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Lily Streames: I did have to audition. I didn’t know anyone related to the project until then. However I have since worked with Alex again playing a part he wrote for me so sometimes it is who you know!
SKSM: You worked with Alexander Jones on this film, how was that?
Lily Streames: Alexander is a total joy to work with: he is a generous, creative and thoughtful director who makes his actors feel completely relaxed on set. I feel blessed to have worked with such a talented director and he has become a great friend of mine.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Lily Streames: My scenes in the film are all memories and we filmed those parts on a super 8 film camera which was exciting. My favourite moment was when Alex let Kwesi and I take the camera and play around making ‘home movies’. We were being so silly, I was doing a welcome to my crib style tour of the house whilst wearing a sieve on my head, we couldn’t stop laughing.
We stayed in the house we were filming in for the shoot days and I loved the moments after we wrapped for the day, eating chinese takeaways and getting to know one another.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Lily Streames: I still have contact with most people on the shoot. We don’t see each other often but like I mentioned before I worked on Alex’s most recent film this year The Night We Met and most of the crew were the same so it was really nice to see everyone again.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Lily Streames: I am currently in Spain rehearsing for four new plays which go on tour for 8 months from November so that is my foreseeable future. It has been lovely being here so far. I’ve just come back from shooting in DisneyLand which was an absolute dream of a job. Also I am co-writing and producing a Christmas show for a theatre in Winchester with my Theatre company Wind Song Theatre which I own with my amazing friend Beccy -she is an absolute superstar and is holding the fort whilst I’m away!
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Lily Streames: I first read The Shining when I was 14 years old. I read it before bed and could only read about 3 pages before I got too scared and had to stop for the night. It scared me so much but I couldn’t leave it until it was finished. Something about it had me utterly hooked. Since then I have been a massive fan of Stephen King’s work and was so excited when I got cast in Stationary Bike. It is a strange thought and a massive privilege to think he has seen my work on screen… gulp.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Lily Streames: When people ask for an interesting fact or something suprising I think how boring I must be because I can never think of anything of interest. Umm… I am a travel addict and spend all my spare money and time seeing the world. -I’m not sure how suprising that is though!
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Lily Streames: I hope you like the film and feel like we do the story justice. Alot of love has been put into the project and it has been a real pleasure to have worked on it. Thank you for your interest and for reading this interview.
