Interviews - James Reynard
James Reynard
Role: Timon
Do you recall what your first ever Shakespeare role was and can you tell us your thoughts on your first performance?
Hmm... have to cast the mind back for this one! I recall a workshop on “Macbeth” at school, but I think my first professional performance was as Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet”. I remember doing what I thought might work, but without much actual knowledge about acting! I think it was very exterior – someone in the cast said “Like a Christmas Tree, lots on the outside, but not much inside!” Anyway, I guess there was something inside as I got some very nice critiques and I learned a lot from the production (I played the same character twice more during subsequent years).
You have been incredibly prolific with Shakespeare in your career, more so than any other cast member. What draws you to Shakespeare again and again?
Role: Timon
Do you recall what your first ever Shakespeare role was and can you tell us your thoughts on your first performance?
Hmm... have to cast the mind back for this one! I recall a workshop on “Macbeth” at school, but I think my first professional performance was as Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet”. I remember doing what I thought might work, but without much actual knowledge about acting! I think it was very exterior – someone in the cast said “Like a Christmas Tree, lots on the outside, but not much inside!” Anyway, I guess there was something inside as I got some very nice critiques and I learned a lot from the production (I played the same character twice more during subsequent years).
You have been incredibly prolific with Shakespeare in your career, more so than any other cast member. What draws you to Shakespeare again and again?
Interviews - David Sayers
David Sayers
Role: Apemantus
What is the best
Shakespeare performance you've seen?
Oh, that's a good question. The best- I don't know, I can't think of
'the best' I've seen. I can think of the ones that made the impression
on me. I remember when I was at school we had a trip to the Barbican
and there was a production of "the Tempest". I don't know who directed
it, I don't actually know who was Prospero. But I do remember Simon
Russell Beale was Ariel. A very thin Simon Russell Beale actually, so a
long time ago. And Greg Hicks as Caliban. And I remember the very
beginning of the play, with Simon Russell Beale standing on a chair, or
some sort of platform in the middle of the stage. And there was a
light-bulb hanging down. And he just knocked the light-bulb to start
creating the storm. So that made an impression on me. In terms of other
Shakespeare, I suppose it's been more film. I admire the (Kenneth)
Branagh films, especially "Hamlet" because most Shakespeare is cut and
Branagh decided not to cut it, and it looks gorgeous. And I've always
quite liked Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" (directed by Franco Zeffirelli), and
the fact Zeffierelli cast him AFTER watching "Lethal Weapon" (1987) is
even better.
Did you have any
experience with "Timon of Athens" before this production?
Role: Apemantus
What is the best
Shakespeare performance you've seen?
Oh, that's a good question. The best- I don't know, I can't think of
'the best' I've seen. I can think of the ones that made the impression
on me. I remember when I was at school we had a trip to the Barbican
and there was a production of "the Tempest". I don't know who directed
it, I don't actually know who was Prospero. But I do remember Simon
Russell Beale was Ariel. A very thin Simon Russell Beale actually, so a
long time ago. And Greg Hicks as Caliban. And I remember the very
beginning of the play, with Simon Russell Beale standing on a chair, or
some sort of platform in the middle of the stage. And there was a
light-bulb hanging down. And he just knocked the light-bulb to start
creating the storm. So that made an impression on me. In terms of other
Shakespeare, I suppose it's been more film. I admire the (Kenneth)
Branagh films, especially "Hamlet" because most Shakespeare is cut and
Branagh decided not to cut it, and it looks gorgeous. And I've always
quite liked Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" (directed by Franco Zeffirelli), and
the fact Zeffierelli cast him AFTER watching "Lethal Weapon" (1987) is
even better.
Did you have any
experience with "Timon of Athens" before this production?
Interviews - Sarah Whitehouse
Sarah Whitehouse
Role: Praxilla of Sicyon
What's the best
Shakespeare production you've ever seen?
While I was at school, I saw a production of "Hamlet" at the Birmingham
Rep. It was just really cleverly staged, with lights coming up through
the floor instead of walls, so the ghost literally walked through the
walls of the castle, which was really exciting. I was doing my A-levels
and studying the play at the time, and I had no idea that that sort of
surprise was coming. It made me realise how amazing and magical theatre
could be, and set me on this road to a love of Shakespeare.
You're one of the only
cast members who's done Shakespeare on film before. How does acting
Shakespeare on stage differ to what we have to do on film?
Heidi Mumford-Yeo - Cannes Film Festival 2019
Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
Festival date: 14–25 May 2019
Heidi Mumford-Yeo
Role: Phrynia
Role: Phrynia
Hello Heidi. Lovely to
chat with you today. Of course, you play Phrynia in
Misanthropos, but today we are discussing your prolific attendance at
the Cannes Film Festival in recent years. To start it off: when did you
first attend Cannes and how many times have you been in total?
Hi Ellis, I first went to Cannes in 2015, so this will be my third
year; very excited!
Cards on the table I've
never been to Cannes, so it's all a mystery to me. Can you
describe it? The atmosphere, the ceremony (by which I mean
the 'pomp and spectacle' of the festival and how one behaves, etc.).
I mean, it’s as you would imagine I think, but actually being there,
surrounded by so many incredible people, people you respect and look up
to – that’s, for me, what makes it such a privilege to attend. My first
time was a little nerve-wracking but I think that’s part of the
experience. Quite surreal at times, when you find yourself next to
Adrian Brody with the inner voice ‘act normal’ screaming at you!
You will also be going
again this year, I believe, which I'm very jealous about by the
way. Can you tell us about the film you are there promoting?
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