Maggie Smith refused to appear on Broadway in "Lettice and Lovage" unless Tyzack was also allowed to join the cast by Actors Equity, arguing that their chemistry and Ms. Tyzack's gifts fulfilled the requirement of singularity.

... I do feel strongly that it is deeply insulting the way older women are portrayed. If you watch TV or listen to the radio for a week, you would get the impression that everyone over the age of 60 has no control over their faculties. If it was any other group of people being portrayed like that, people would be up in arms. But because it is older women, nobody ever says anything.

"TV is the worst. In the past, all ages were represented. Now even silver-haired old judges have jailbait on their arms. But I can't complain. I've had a lovely career, and as an actor all you can do is hope that people keep on offering the roles. I'll totter on as long as they keep coming. Actually I better not say totter - it makes me sound like an old crone.