I am a fan of rehearsal. I like doing it [scene] over and over and over and over until it looks like you never did it before.
“I am a fan of rehearsal. I like doing it [scene] … Read More
A way of describing performances that I admire is that there is an absence of careerism. It’s a clumsy way of describing it but it sort of does it for me.
“A way of describing performances that I admire is that there … Read More
I don’t think there’s an improvised word in the movie. I hope not because I admire writing. Improvising is kind of gambling. It’s just that you’re standing up.
“I don’t think there’s an improvised word in the movie. I … Read More
I’m not good at watching myself which I think is perfectly natural. I don’t give myself a hard time about it. I am the worst critic.
“I’m not good at watching myself which I think is perfectly … Read More
I have never owned a computer. I am one of those weirdos. I’ve never needed a computer. I’m lucky that I have a job where I’m not required to use one.
“I have never owned a computer. I am one of those … Read More
I’m lucky that I get to play a wide variety of parts.
“I’m lucky that I get to play a wide variety of … Read More
In the street, people talk to you about all kinds of things, but by far, the most number of people talk to me about Love, Actually.
“In the street, people talk to you about all kinds of … Read More
I’m probably the only person who actually remembers pirate radio.
“I’m probably the only person who actually remembers pirate radio.” … Read More
You tell yourself that you’re not auditioning but of course you work like crazy, and you prepare like mad. And you think, “Well, I won’t get that job. But maybe they’ll have another job sometime, and they’ll remember that I was good.”
“You tell yourself that you’re not auditioning but of course you … Read More
I do think 3D has seriously improved, since I was a boy. It’s fabulous.
“I do think 3D has seriously improved, since I was a … Read More
If you ask any actor “What single thing would make you really, really happy?” Among the top five things they’d say is not having to audition anymore.
“If you ask any actor “What single thing would make you … Read More
Opening a play is just tough. The idea that actors are weirdly protected from it is a myth. If you imagine yourself having to spend two and a bit hours cooking bolognaise, remembering a whole major work by David Hare and speaking it at the correct moment between chopping carrots and stirring the onions in front of an audience – the normal human response is ‘Please, can I go to the airport?’
“Opening a play is just tough. The idea that actors are … Read More
Often in America people would assume that [as an English actor] you’ve had some sort of deep, classical training, or that you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast. I have zero interest in me performing Shakespeare.
“Often in America people would assume that [as an English actor] … Read More
I’m crazy about James Brown. I’m crazy about soul music. And then the blues. Rhythm and blues.
“I’m crazy about James Brown. I’m crazy about soul music. And … Read More
Actors always talk about taking their work home and I always think: ‘What are you on? You just turn it off. You are at work and then you go home.’
“Actors always talk about taking their work home and I always … Read More
I have no memory, any at all, of actually performing the play, no recall in terms of the lines. I can’t tell you any line from any play I’ve ever done.
“I have no memory, any at all, of actually performing the … Read More
I like American black soul music, that was my first big enthusiasm.
“I like American black soul music, that was my first big … Read More
I love imaginative representations of a possible near-future, where you look at the technology and you think, “Well, yeah, that could really nearly be true.” I like those kinds of backgrounds.
“I love imaginative representations of a possible near-future, where you look … Read More
I quoted David Hare one of his lines the other day to illuminate whatever point we were trying to make in the conversation, and I said ‘What play was that?’ and he said ‘It was your line, you said it about a hundred and fifty times in The Vertical Hour.’
“I quoted David Hare one of his lines the other day … Read More
I really have no interest in delivering the iambic pentameter, I just want to kill myself. I don’t mind other people doing it. I say that, but really I don’t want to watch other people doing it. I get embarrassed.
“I really have no interest in delivering the iambic pentameter, I … Read More