Me knitting in the green room
I was contacted recently by Jennifer Duke who runs a Pride and Prejudice fan blog. She wanted to interview me about my experience of working on Pride and Prejudice at the Grand. She asked really great questions. Here are my answers:
Are you a fan of Pride and Prejudice?
Yes. Absolutely. I first read it when I was 15 years old for my English “O” level exam and remember throwing the book across the room when I got to the part where Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins. I was really cross with her. In real life I’m much more of a Lizzy.
Do you think that Charlotte Lucas is a misunderstood character?
Perhaps by people who don’t read the book properly or don’t appreciate the time at which it was written. Charlotte is very much of her time and makes a sensible choice for a woman of 27 (considered an old maid which affects her younger sister’s marriage chances). She’s a great contrast to Elizabeth who is a much more romantic, progressive character. From a post-modern perspective you could read into the text that Charlotte is a lesbian (“I never thought very highly of men, nor of matrimony…”) but I think that’s pushing it too far.
How did you go about preparing for this role?
Charlotte Lucas if she were in Charlie's Angels
I read the book and compared it to the script to see the differences in the stories as they are told in each medium. With an adaptation it’s important to make sure you’re telling the story as it works in the script – there are bound to be places where the story has been contracted so you have to make choices about which are the most important moments to hit to make it work. This was all done as an ensemble with the director.
What roles have you played in the past?
You can see my full CV here. Mostly comedy maids and prostitutes. Oh, and a crack whore in a movie recently. That was fun. Charlotte is probably the nicest, kindest, most sensible character I’ve ever played.
Was the production true to the book?
Yes, I think so, and we had a lot of feedback from “Janeites” who really loved the adaptation and this production in particular, which was nice.
What was your favourite part of the experience?
Probably the kudos of playing a 27-year old at the age of 40! For me acting is 50% dressing up and 50% social life. It’s not brain surgery – it’s being allowed to play pretend as a grown-up. We’re just like big kids, really. I’m not saying you shouldn’t take the work seriously, just don’t take yourself seriously.
What was the audition process like and how did you find out about it?
It was fairly painless. Like most professional actors I got a call from my agent saying that the director wanted to see me for the role. I went in, read for it, had a bit of a chat and that was it. Got cast very quickly.
Were any parts of your role challenging for you?
Me and Alden Adair arsing around
Having to not be totally in love with Alden Adair who played Mr. Collins was pretty hard. He is absolutely hilarious but of course Charlotte’s supposed to find him pretty loathsome so it was hard not to laugh at him because he was so funny.
Have you had any responses from your audience?
Yes, one lady after the show one night came up and patted me on the arm and said: “Don’t worry, dear, I’m sure Charlotte ends up being very happy in the end.” It was sweet. She’s probably one of those people who thinks the soap operas are real, or makes up an after-story for every sad movie she sees where everything works out for the best.
What would your dream role be?
One of those hot English scientists in a recurring role on a crime show or sci-fi series. I came very close once with an international co-production called Ice Planet. I was short-listed for the role of the British youngest nobel prize winning astro-physicist who was to be Michael Ironside’s love interest. I screen-tested with him and everything. The show was never made. I was gutted. I had visions of legions of nerd fans across the world following my every move on my blog.
Do you think you’re like Charlotte?
Absolutely nothing like her. It was rather refreshing to play her. I’m far too hot-headed and impetuous – much more like Lizzy. But I have the advantage of living in a world where women’s fortunes do not rest in the hands of men. Hurrah!
What sort of books do you like to read?
If I’m brutally honest, I don’t read a great deal. I’m on the internet all day long and if I do read a book it’s usually my husband’s latest for proof-reading purposes. I have a joke in my stand-up act about the last book I read in its entirety being “Photoshop 7 for Dummies”. True story.
What are your aims for the future?
Do more television and film – I love the theatre, but it doesn’t pay the rent and I actually enjoy the technical aspect of working to camera. I get enough of the instant gratification of a live audience doing stand-up these days. Having said that I’m doing another theatre piece in the summer! (more on this soon – I’m doing Summerworks again with the delicious Heather Davies!)
Do you have any advice for wannabe stage actors?
Acting - it's just dressing up
Go and see as much theatre as you can afford. Go to drama school and learn technique. No one can teach you to act, but they can teach you how to move your body and use your voice. Be kind to backstage technicians and front-of-house staff. You’re not more important than anyone else. You’re just playing dress-up.
You can read the interview in its entirety here.
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Marilla who?
I am a British-born actress and stand-up comic who does lots of voice work (for commercials, cartoons and corporate clients) and sometimes, when I'm very lucky, tv and film. When I was in England I did mostly theatre. Now I'm in Canada I spend the majority of the time writing and performing stand-up. When I'm not making episodes of Talking Bollocks, that is. And that's me for you.