OT-ish: John Simm, showmanship and the duty of the actor
Anyone who lives in the UK might have noticed the small media storm generated around Simm's current play, Speaking in Tongues.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/article6930531.ece
Simm alledgedly had to restrain his co-star, Ian Hart, when he lunged at a member of the audience, claiming that he had been talking during the play.
While I know from first-hand experience just how rude and inconsiderate people can be at the theatre, actors do often seem to forget that these people have paid (often hefty) amounts of money to see them perform, without which the show would flounder.
So the very least an actor can do is be civil. Abusing your audience is definitely out.
Anyway, good to see that Simm kept his head.
And, on a related note, I just wanted to share this little anecdote with you on showmanship.
I had the good fortune to see John Simm perform in 'Elling' a few years back, in London.
He was, of course, brilliant; nervy, neurotic, clever, and very moving indeed.
But there came one particular scene of dramatic intensity, when his co-star, Adrian Bower, was meant to deliver the following line;
"Reiden's gone into labour. They've taken her to Oslo!" (the play, btw, is translated from Norwegian).
Unfortunately, what came out was:
"Reiden's gone into labour. They've taken her to Glasgow!"
There was a pause, during which both actors tried valiantly not to corpse. The audience, meanwhile, found it hilarious.
Then Bower pulled it back:
"Oslo. It's closer."
And- bam- both actors were back in the scene, and swiftly had the whole audience gripped again.
It was a delight to watch, and a shining example of how an actor should operate; with humour, respect, and the ability to think on his feet.
End mad, OT ramble.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/article6930531.ece
Simm alledgedly had to restrain his co-star, Ian Hart, when he lunged at a member of the audience, claiming that he had been talking during the play.
While I know from first-hand experience just how rude and inconsiderate people can be at the theatre, actors do often seem to forget that these people have paid (often hefty) amounts of money to see them perform, without which the show would flounder.
So the very least an actor can do is be civil. Abusing your audience is definitely out.
Anyway, good to see that Simm kept his head.
And, on a related note, I just wanted to share this little anecdote with you on showmanship.
I had the good fortune to see John Simm perform in 'Elling' a few years back, in London.
He was, of course, brilliant; nervy, neurotic, clever, and very moving indeed.
But there came one particular scene of dramatic intensity, when his co-star, Adrian Bower, was meant to deliver the following line;
"Reiden's gone into labour. They've taken her to Oslo!" (the play, btw, is translated from Norwegian).
Unfortunately, what came out was:
"Reiden's gone into labour. They've taken her to Glasgow!"
There was a pause, during which both actors tried valiantly not to corpse. The audience, meanwhile, found it hilarious.
Then Bower pulled it back:
"Oslo. It's closer."
And- bam- both actors were back in the scene, and swiftly had the whole audience gripped again.
It was a delight to watch, and a shining example of how an actor should operate; with humour, respect, and the ability to think on his feet.
End mad, OT ramble.