'For me, Terence Rattigan is about suppressed emotion': Zoë interviewed in new edition of All On Her Own/Harlequinade

6 November 2015 18:57

The official, tie-in edition of Terence Rattigan's All On Her Own and Harlequinade, celebrating the productions in which Zoë is starring at the Garrick Theatre, has now been published by Nick Hern Books.

In addition to both plays, the book features a fascinating interview with Zoë, who discusses her approach to portraying characters. She always completes detailed research, encompassing books, art and music. When rehearsing the disturbing All On Her Own, Zoë kept a visual diary, containing 'images that reflected my emotions about the piece', including works by Magritte, Picasso, Munch and others.

The key to playing Rattigan's characters, Zoë suggests, is being aware that 'what's underneath is as important as what they say'. Actors – and audiences – need to read between the lines. 'For me, Terence Rattigan is about suppressed emotion,' she concludes.

The book also includes interviews with the productions' designer Christopher Oram (illustrated with his lovely sketches of Zoe's costumes) and Kenneth Branagh and his co-director Rob Ashford. The interviews are accompanied by an introduction to the playwright and his plays, written by Rattigan biographer Michael Darlow.

Harlequinade & All On Her Own is currently available from Nick Hern Books with a 20% discount.

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Zoë lends her support to Equality for Mental Health campaign

3 November 2015 00:42

Zoë has signed the Equality for Mental Health open letter, a new initiative that's campaigning for mental health problems to be treated on a par with physical health problems across the UK.

With the Spending Review on the horizon, the letter states that it's 'aimed at persuading the Government to help reduce the suffering of those with mental ill health by increasing investment into the provision of mental health services'.

Other signatories include Danny Boyle, Steve Coogan, Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian McKellen, Bill Nighy, Graham Norton, Jennifer Saunders, Claire Skinner, Ruby Wax and many, many more.

If you’d like to sign the associated petition, you can do so online at Equality4MentalHealth.uk.

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All On Her Own is 'amazing to see in the hands of Zoë Wanamaker,' emphasises Kenneth Branagh

1 November 2015 22:50

In an interview conducted by The Stage newspaper, Kenneth Branagh talks enthusiastically about the double bill of Terence Rattigan plays in which Zoë is starring at the Garrick Theatre, London, as part of the first season of productions by Branagh's theatre company.

Branagh emphasises that 'Harlequinade is a very funny but poignant play about actors and acting, while All On Her Own is both thrilling and a thriller, and amazing to see in the hands of Zoe Wanamaker.'

The double bill is currently in previews, with the press night scheduled for 7 November. Tickets are available, and the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company recently tweeted that extra seats have been released for November performances. What's more, the productions are part of the first mobile lottery for West End plays, with TodayTix offering theatregoers the chance to win front row seats.

The texts of All On Her Own and Harlequinade will be published as a single edition on 5 November by Nick Hern Books. Zoë and her fellow cast members are pictured on the cover. Interestingly, the publisher's website notes that the book will contain 'exclusive additional content'.

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Listen to Zoë discussing All On Her Own/Harlequinade on BBC Radio 2

31 October 2015 13:54

If you missed Zoë's interview on Graham Norton's Radio 2 show this lunchtime, you can listen to it on the BBC iPlayer. The very enjoyable interview, during the last half hour of the show, offers insight into All On Her Own and Harlequinade, the double bill of plays by Terence Rattigan in which Zoë is starring at London's Garrick Theatre.

As she explained, All On Her Own was originally written for TV and has never been seen in the West End – until now. Harlequinade is another rarely-seen gem, focused on the antics of a repertory company staging Romeo and Juliet and The Winter's Tale (a production of which is in repertory with the Rattigan double bill).

'I went all over the country doing rep,' Zoë remarked about her early stage career. She acted in Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds and elsewhere.

Team spirit is, of course, essential to theatre companies. Zoë chose Joe Cocker's song, 'With a Little Help from My Friends', to sum up the supportive atmosphere at the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, which is producing All On Her Own and Harlequinade.

Tickets for this double bill, which is currently in previews, are available. You have until 13 January to catch the show.

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Zoë to be interviewed by Graham Norton on BBC Radio 2

30 October 2015 19:30

Zoë will be a special guest on Graham Norton's BBC Radio 2 show tomorrow, 31 October. She'll be talking about her current stage roles in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's All On Her Own/Harlequinade at London's Garrick Theatre.

The radio show is on-air from 10am to 1pm (the specific time of Zoë's interview hasn't been announced). The interview promises to be lively and fun, as those of you who heard Zoë's first interview on Graham Norton's show, back in 2011, will know.

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