Lizz Francis Masquerades model mum

Posted by admin on 27/1/10 • Categorised as News, No. 64 Oct 2008

Lizz at 21, when working for Yellow Brick Studios

Former actress, model and play director Lizz Francis, now a full-time mum and part-time helper at Bohemia’s Masquerade once found herself giving birth to her twin girls for a Channel 4 TV documentary. Lizz, born Elizabeth Charlotte Cook, born 1965, went to London University’s Central School of Drama where she achieved a BA honours degree in English and Drama. “Whilst there, I directed ‘Whale Music’ by Anthony Minghella, a piece for seven women about feminist issues”. When Liz was 19, she worked as a model for Yellow Brick Studios, an agency in Queens Park, London. “I did lots of ads for magazines such as ‘Just 17’. Then my ‘vital statistics were 33½, 27, 38 and my height was 5’5”. I could earn £200 – £300 per day. At the time boob jobs were all the rage – I’m glad I didn’t have one as now all the demand is for natural boobs”. Lizz once did an tv ad with Jools Holland for low alcohol lager. “I’ll never forget that one – it took 32 takes in an Italian bar before they were happy with it”. Lizz has also had many acting parts, including film work. “I was even acting when I was six months pregnant – in Macbeth. I also played Lady Wishford in ‘Way of the World’ at Whittington Productions in Highgate. The character was a fat old woman, speaking in 17th century English, but as I was eight months pregnant, this was fine”. She met husband Dave Francis (of the Bohemia Ukulele Band), “through mutual friends – we have always shared a love of art, drama and music”.
Not many mums can claim to have given birth on tv, but in Lizz’s case that’s just what happened. “It was for a television documentary called ‘The Real Birth Show’, presented by Emma Forbes. A crew followed me around for six months right up to birth of the twins at Whittington Hospital in Islington. They didn’t film the actual birth, but practically everything else”. Today, Lizz is a busy mum of twins Catherine and Alexandra (see picture). “I work part-time at Masquerade Fancy Dress in Bohemia Road. “It’s a dream job – I get to take home a costume from a different era every weekend. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve always been a show-off – I just love dressing up. It’s great fun.” Any hobbies? “Yes, l love music, playing the classical guitar and poetry”.