'It's a big play': Zoë's views on Two Ladies

23 September 2019 20:13

Yesterday's interview with Zoë and her Two Ladies co-star, Zrinka Cvitešic, on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show is now available to watch online.

Interspersed with extracts from Nancy Harris' play, the interview offers insights into the real events that inspired the show. As Zoë points out, the cast were rehearsing around the time of the G7 summit. It was clear to them that the media displayed greater interest in what the world leaders' wives were wearing than anything those women might've had to say.

Zrinka remarked that 'as actresses we can really relate to that', based on her and Zoë's experiences of red carpet events and similar engagements.

By contrast, Two Ladies gives two (fictional) First Ladies, Zoë's Helen and Zrinka's Sophia, a voice. They are very much centre stage.

In addition, Andrew Marr invites Zoë to reflect on the complex political pressures that led to her father, Sam Wanamaker, deciding to leave the US and begin a new life in the UK. His gift to his adopted home is, of course, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, which Marr describes as 'one of the great successes of the London theatre world'.

What would Sam make of The Globe's position in British cultural life today? 'I think he'd be thrilled,' Zoë emphasises.

If you'd like to play a part in the future of Shakespeare's Globe and its companion, the indoor playhouse named in honour of Zoë's dad, you can donate to the Sam Wanamaker Centenary fundraising campaign.

Two Ladies is being staged at another great London venue, the Bridge Theatre, until 26 October. Tickets are available from the theatre's website.

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