Gay City News hails Zoë as 'One of the greatest, most versatile actresses alive'

19 May 2015 04:11

News and arts publication Gay City News has published a fascinating new interview with Zoë, hailing her as 'One of the greatest, most versatile actresses alive'. Zoë talks to David Noh, who remarks he has long been an admirer of hers, about her recent theatre work, her father's project to rebuild Shakespeare's Globe, and much more.

The interview took place shortly after Zoë arrived in New York to rehearse the musical Zorba!, which delighted theatregoers earlier this month as part of City Center's famous, hugely popular Encores! season. Zoë sheds light on the appeal of her character, mysterious innkeeper Hortense, describing her as 'a very delicate, extraordinary creature, passionate with no limit to her emotional availability'.

She describes Zorba! as 'a dark musical' with 'brilliant lyrics and some wonderful, delightful characterful songs, very clever'. Filled with enthusiasm for City Center's Zorba! revival, Zoë emphasises that she is 'working with the most wonderful people, glorious singers and actors'.

Zoë joined rehearsals for Zorba! just days after completing the run of another theatrical gem, Stevie – in which she starred as highly individual poet Stevie Smith – across the Atlantic, at London's Hampstead Theatre. She is very happy that this successful production has led to a resurgence of interest in Smith, commenting that 'because of the revival of this play, Smith's collected works are coming back again, as well as her first novel'.

Also in London, Shakespeare's Globe and the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse are thriving. Zoë points out that her late father, Sam Wanamaker, who brought the theatre of Shakespeare's day back to the South Bank, felt certain the area would be reinvigorated as a result. She says that 'the whole area has exploded with new people moving in, as he predicted'.

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