Nina is racing to stardom
- Publication: Gazette and Post
- Date: 1974-01-31
- Author: Paula Brayford
- Page: 12
- Language: English
DEAD CERT is the name of her first film, and a dead cert isn't a bad way of describing Acton girl Nina Thomas's future in the acting world.
Nina, aged 22, of Church Road, Acton, always intended being a drama teacher when she left the New College of Speech and Drama, but she always seemed to be getting parts in plays and so the acting took over from the teaching.
"I found I got a great deal more pleasure out of acting than I could have got from teaching." said Nina.
She made her first professional engagement with the Her first television role was a Colchester Repertory Theatre. Later she became an understudy and replaced the leading lady when she became ill.
Nina has also appeared with stock companies at Hornchurch, Essex (where she was in pantomime) and Watford, where she was assistant stage manager for a time. She went on to make guest appearances at Richmond and Westcliff Theatres.
In July, 1971, Nina joined the Brian Rix company and acted in the comedy success "Don't Just Lie There, Say Something" until September, 1972. She also toured with Richard Todd in the play. "The Man With a Load of Mischief".
Her first television role was a leading one in the play "First Sight" and she has also appeared in an episode of the popular "Public Eye" series for Thames Television.
Nina, an attractive redhead, was discovered by producer Neil Hartley and director Tony Richardson for their movie. "Dead Cert", which is based on the mystery novel by former jockey Dick Francis.
The story has a strong racing background, and the film was made entirely on location at the training stables and race courses at Aintree and Fontwell Park, as well as other areas of Southend, England.
Nins plays the part of Penny Glossop, the sexy young girl friend of a wealthy bookmaker who is heavily involved in fixing races. She becomes involved with an amateur jockey, played by Scott Antony, whose best friend is killed when the horse he is riding is doped.
Penny in the other woman in his life when the bookie is murdered and she turns to the jockey for help, although he is already having an affair with his best friends wife, played by Judi Dench.
Judi Dench is already well known on the London stage scene - she took the lead in the West End production of Cabaret; Scott Antony made his motion picture debut for Ken Russell fast year in Savage Messiah
One other very important costar is Cornishman, 14-yearold steeplechaser, of Olympic show-jumping fame. He ip pearl Admiral, the pride of the stable in Dead Cent.
But for Acton cinema-goers, the star most likely to attract their attention is Nina Thomas.
Born and bred in Acton, Nina is a former pupil of Acton Weis School and Burlington Girls School. Apart from her acting Ambition, she loves music, and her other hobbies pre reading and a little gardening.
After the film, Nina had a complete change Queen Pelabon in six episodes of future "Dr. Who": series for television And she is also the heroine in a new television serial called Fortunes of Nigel, the story of which is set in the time of James I.
"I like to do as much varied work as possible," said Nina, a girl who seems to be achieving that aim.
Caption: Acton girl Nina Thomas in a scene with actor Scott Antony in the film "Dead Cert", which is shortly to be released
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- APA 6th ed.: Brayford, Paula (1974-01-31). Nina is racing to stardom. Gazette and Post p. 12.
- MLA 7th ed.: Brayford, Paula. "Nina is racing to stardom." Gazette and Post [add city] 1974-01-31, 12. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Brayford, Paula. "Nina is racing to stardom." Gazette and Post, edition, sec., 1974-01-31
- Turabian: Brayford, Paula. "Nina is racing to stardom." Gazette and Post, 1974-01-31, section, 12 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Nina is racing to stardom | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Nina_is_racing_to_stardom | work=Gazette and Post | pages=12 | date=1974-01-31 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=31 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Nina is racing to stardom | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Nina_is_racing_to_stardom | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=31 March 2025}}</ref>
