JEREMY IRONS (was asked to give advice in reference to Keira Knightley and her West End opening of The Misanthrope):
Jeremy Irons has had a long career on stage and screen. His theatrical work includes the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and Broadway.
His film and TV work includes Brideshead Revisited, The Mission, Reversal of Fortune and The Lion King.
What she’s got to be able to do is to emit what she’s feeling – which she’s used to doing to a camera which is about two feet away from her – to an audience of however many thousand so that they know what she’s feeling and thinking in the same way that the camera does.
She’s also got to make sure that her voice is supported – you have to be heard by more people. But she’s a good actress and so that’s the important thing – you can learn all the other things if you have a clear and honest way of playing.
But it’ll be a learning curve for her, and I can’t wait to see it. I think it’s very brave of her. When you’re out of your metier you get a bit nervous – that’s understandable – but if she’s any good, I’m sure within a week she’ll find her feet.
I think it’s a very good thing – this cross-fertilisation. In theatre we need stars to get the audiences in, and people will go and see her – a very beautiful and talented lady.
jeremyirons.net 