Madame Sousatzka

Date: 1988
Director: John Schlesinger
Production Company: Cineplex Odeon Films

Stars: Shirley Maclaine, Peggy Ashcroft, Navin Chowdrhy, Shabana Azmi, Leigh Lawson, Jeremy Sinden, Twiggy, Geoffrey Bayldon
Location(s): Hertfordshire, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

An eccentric Russian émigré piano teacher in London takes on a talented young Bengali immigrant prodigy as her student.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall.

With reference to captures 3 & 4, Michael Bradley has done some research, unearthing a fascinating story. Bear with!
“The young Laurence Olivier lived with his family in St. Leonard’s Terrace, Chelsea. And author Bram Stoker and his family also lived at 18 St. Leonard’s Terrace. But they both moved to Pimlico – Laurence Olivier and his family to 22 Lupus Street, and Bram Stoker and his family lived at 26 St. George’s Square, directly opposite St. Saviour’s Church, from 1911 until his death on 20th April 1912, a mere 50 yards away. No. 26 was part of the four blocks between St. George’s Square and Claverton Street demolished in favour of Pimlico Comprehensive.
In Madame Sousatzka (1988) Shirley MacLaine, arriving at school, walks the gauntlet of pupils, as seen in caps 3 & 4, and one of them comments, “Dracula’s back.” Now what a strange coincidence it is that Bram Stoker lived in a house on the original site. And of course Laurence Olivier played Dr. Van Helsing in the 1979 version.” (SJ)

Michael Bradley adds that there is now a blue plaque at 22 Lupus Street where Sir Laurence Olivier lived as a child. This was an English Heritage one that was unveiled by Sir Ian McKellen on Wednesday June 10th 2026.

Michael also mentions that two years after Shirley Maclaine filmed Madame Sousatska at Pimlico Comprehensive school, her brother Warren Beatty was just yards away attending the UK Premiere Post Party of ‘Dick Tracy’ held at Dolphin Square.

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  • Capture 1
  • 06 Jul 2026

A taxi draws up. Lupus Street, Pimlico SW1.

A bus stop area has been added in the foreground.

  • Capture 2
  • 06 Jul 2026

Madame Sousatzka (Shirley Maclaine) emerges. Lupus Street, at the junction with Moreton Terrace SW1.

Now waste bins mark the spot.

  • Capture 3
  • 06 Jul 2026

She strides into the school. Pimlico School, Lupus Street was built in 1967-1970, and was a noted example of brutalist architecture.

A wider view shows the replacement building, Pimlico Academy, whose entrance is a few yards from the original.

  • Capture 4
  • 06 Jul 2026

A piano teacher, she has come to see a school concert at which one of her students, Manek, is performing. Looking north along St. George's Drive from Pimlico School.

Here's the added bus stop at a busy school leaving time.

  • Capture 5
  • 06 Jul 2026

We see the apartment building where Madame Sousatzka lives and works. 11 Stanley Crescent W11.

Today's view shows little has changed. The listed house was built in the mid-19th century.

  • Capture 6
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek's mother Sushila (Shabana Azmi), arrives to meet with Madame Sousatzka. Lady Emily (Peggy Ashcroft) talks to her from the basement flat. 11 Stanley Crescent.

It's empty down there today.

  • Capture 7
  • 06 Jul 2026

Property developer Woodford (Jeremy Sinden) leaves a nearby building. 27 Stanley Gardens W11.

Today's view is a challenge for the camera's focal length.

  • Capture 8
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek (Navin Chowdhry) leaves school for his piano lesson. Looking north on Claverton Street SW1, towards the junction with Lupus Street. The school was rebuilt between 2008 and 2011 to become Pimlico Academy.

Nowadays, the school entrance has been removed, and the corner is clear.

  • Capture 9
  • 'Now' required

He skates past a house numbered 37.

  • Capture 10
  • 06 Jul 2026

Skating along Stanley Gardens, Manek approaches. Madame Souzatzka's house.

Still a tempting pavement to skate along?

  • Capture 11
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek takes his skates off at the doorway. 11 Stanley Crescent.

Same door, just repainted I think.

  • Capture 12
  • 06 Jul 2026

He looks up as the upstairs tenant Jenny (Twiggy) enters the house.

Twigless.

  • Capture 13
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek leaves a piano lesson at dusk. The junction of Stanley Gardens and Kensington Park Road W11.

Today's daytime view.

  • Capture 14
  • 06 Jul 2026

He sees an old man being beaten up in an alley. 92 Kensington Park Road.

In the safety of the day.

  • Capture 15
  • 06 Jul 2026

It is Mr. Cordle (Geoffrey Bayldon), who works as an osteopath downstairs at the apartment building. 92 Kensington Park Road.

Now housing a 3-Michelin starred Restaurant.

  • Capture 16
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek leaves home for another lesson. 71 Milner Drive, Twickenham, Greater London.

A beautiful blue sky, but an intrusive blue car.

  • Capture 17
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek skates around in the playground at school. Looking east towards St. Saviour Pimlico SW1.

The playground remains in place, but this was as close as I could get without trespassing.

  • Capture 18
  • 'Now' required

Manek accompanies his mother to the Selfridges Food Hall where she supplies goods from her kitchen. Orchard Street, W1.

  • Capture 19
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek walks by the River Thames as it runs past Augustus Close in Brentford.

A beautiful stretch of the Thames opposite Kew Gardens.

  • Capture 20
  • 06 Jul 2026

He cuts through between the houses to visit Lady Emily, who has moved out of her basement flat.

Now local interests have added gates to discourage access to the public.

  • Capture 21
  • 06 Jul 2026

Lady Emily struggles with her packing cases. 17 Augustus Close, Brentford.

Now with replacement windows.

  • Capture 22
  • 11 Jul 2026

Manek walks in Kensington Gardens with Ronnie Blum (Leigh Lawson), an agent who wants Manek to perform at a festival.

The same row of trees. SJ

  • Capture 23
  • 11 Jul 2026

Ronnie has arranged for Manek to visit the Royal Albert Hall SW7.

At this angle, the trees to the left have extended up and out. SJ

  • Capture 24
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek and Mr. Cordle visit Lady Emily at her riverside home. Augustus Close, Brentford.

Today's view.

  • Capture 25
  • 06 Jul 2026

Manek tells Mr. Cordle that he has decided to play at the festival against Madame Sousatzka's wishes.

Thanks to John Hughes of Brentford Walks for arranging access to the pathway here.

  • Capture 26
  • 'Now' required

At a service station, Manek tells Madame Sousatzka his decisionl. Unidentified location.

  • Capture 27
  • 'Now' required

Madam Sousatzka flies into a rage at the news.

  • Capture 28
  • 'Now' required

Manek's career takes off as he performs at the festival. Wrotham Park, Hertfordshire.