My Zinc Bed: a compelling adaptation of David Hare's acclaimed play for 91Èȱ¬ÌýTwo
Jonathan Pryce plays Victor Quinn
What was your reaction when you were first approached for this
production?
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I was first approached in 2007 with the script for My Zinc Bed.
Since working with David Hare at Nottingham Playhouse in the Seventies I
have been a friend and admirer of his and jumped at the chance to
work with him again.
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What did you think of the script?
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I thought it was a perfect distillation of the much longer stage
play but still very text driven. I had always thought that the play
was very filmic.
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Had you seen the play on the stage before?
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Yes I saw the play at the Royal Court in 2000 and had enjoyed it
but welcomed the chance to re visit it as Victor!
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How would you describe the story of My Zinc Bed?
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It's a film about addiction. Whether that is to relationships, or
to alcohol, or in Victor's case to business. Business gives Victor
an adrenalin buzz, and he is obsessed with doing a deal. Having
seen the finished film it's almost Bergmanesque in its examination
of painful relationships.
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Were there any particular challenges as an actor in performing a
stage play for the screen? Would you perform it differently on
stage?
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I think because of the way David has rewritten My Zinc Bed it
doesn't feel like a stage play anymore it feels like a film. So the
challenge is for the director and editor because it is very
dialogue driven with very little action. Acting for stage or film
is the same – you hopefully can find the truth of a character and
tell a story. The only real difference is that on stage you're
louder!
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Tell us about your character
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Victor is a complex man. A multi millionaire ex-Marxist who runs an
internet business, and possibly an alcoholic – but we don't ever
find out. As he says himself he is fond of a Martini! He likes
being in control whether it's of his wife or of the writer Paul
Peplow who Victor brings into their relationship. Victor
definitely has strong views on addiction and how to deal with it...
All the characters have their own moral viewpoint whether it be
about alcohol or each other, but what is quite skilful about
David's work is that he leaves room for the audience to make their
own moral judgements.
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For an actor Victor is a great character to play – larger than
life, outspoken, dominating but with a sense of humour.
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Were there any aspects of him you could particularly relate to?
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(Laughs) No, but I enjoyed being him for a few weeks! You can see
where the man has come from. You know that he came from a socialist
Marxist background. Coming from no money at all to becoming
incredibly rich with the threat of losing everything looming. The
debate makes for a very interesting piece of television. You rarely
hear good dialogue and good arguments well presented on TV these
days. This piece is certainly not wallpaper television. Its
intention is to provoke reaction and debate – whilst being
entertaining of course!
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Can you understand his response to addition?
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Well I recognise his response to addiction but I don't necessarily
agree with it. However it is a view that people hold about AA
namely that it is a cult that replaces one
form of addiction with another. I would prefer to side with Peplow
who believes that AA saves people's lives.
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What do you think David Hare was saying about addiction?
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I think that David should answer that question as it is more
relevant to him. It is interesting because he presents at least
two points of view on addiction through Victor and Paul, and you
feel that Victor's wife is very much a victim of Victor's views.
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What was it like working with Uma and Paddy?
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We had a great time. I hadn't worked with Uma since she was 17 and
we were both in the Terry Gilliam film The Adventures Of Baron
Munchausen. She has grown into a wonderful actor – especially in
this role. I'd always liked Paddy's work and it was a delight
meeting him and working with him. I had worked with Anthony Page
the director on Edward Albee's The Goat about four years ago. The
Goat was similar to My Zinc Bed in that it was also a play about
obsession and addiction and relationships.
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We're looking forward to also seeing 91Èȱ¬ Three comedy Clone – are
you taking a break from Hollywood for a while to focus on TV?
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I'm currently shooting 91Èȱ¬ Three comedy Clone which we're halfway
through. It is just coincidence that these two television projects
are going on at the same time as I've been part of three films this
year – GI Joe, Bed Time Stories with Adam Sandler and The Gift, so
no I wouldn't say I'm taking a break from Hollywood. But it is
great to go home after work each day!
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