Alison Steadman Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University Honorable Chancellor, I have pleasure in presenting Alison Steadman for the award of an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University. Alison Steadman is Britain's favourite character actress with an illustrious career embracing theatre, film, TV, and radio. Over a period of four decades, she has created some of the most memorable roles on stage and screen, often deflating vanities with her hilarious and keenly observed performances. Two outstanding roles that immediately spring to mind are the loud and opinionated Mrs Bennet in BBCs Pride & Prejudice and the monstrous Beverley in Abigail's Party. Alison Steadman was born in Liverpool, the daughter of George Steadman and Marjorie Evans. Like many Liverpool families, the Steadmans always enjoyed a good laugh and Alison certainly enjoyed making people laugh. From an early age she displayed a talent for mimicry and decided to become an actress when she was nine. Whilst at Childwall Valley School in South Liverpool, she closely observed comedians like Hylda Baker on television and took every opportunity to practice her talent; whether it was impersonating a Scottish neighbour when putting the dolls to bed or impersonating her teachers at school. After school, she joined the Probation Service as a clerical assistant, attending Liverpool Youth Theatre whenever time allowed. When she was 20, and on the advice of Liverpool Playhouse's Tony Colgate, she auditioned for the East-15 Acting School in Essex, and her impersonation of Cassius Clay won her a place. There,