Your Questions Answered: Part 1.
Actor Rupert Graves takes part in the second exclusive "question and answer" series, giving his replies to a host of queries put forward by his fans.
Joyce from Maine, USA asks:
Of all the roles you've had, on stage, screen, television, what was the most
challenging, and why?
Rupert Graves: That would be The Pitchfork Disney - it was the first part I was able to completely become somebody else and learnt to appreciate the lesson of being free from the ego.
Seán from Cambridge, United Kingdom:
Is there a character that you have always wanted to play and, in particular,
contribute your own interpretation to that role? If so, what is it and would you prefer a theatre or cinema adaptation?
Rupert Graves: There's no character that I can think of.
James from Jackson, USA:
Being a heterosexual, how did you prepare yourself for the intimate scenes with James Wilby in MAURICE?
Rupert Graves: I immersed myself in the part and stayed true to it, and that's what the part did.
Christine from Romeoville, IL:
You were amazing in "Different for Girls", tell me how did you manage to disappear into a character who I believe had a very difficult and different storyline?
Rupert Graves: I think the story had a nice twist in it regarding the assumptions we make about our own sexuality. The dilemma of being in love with a man who had become a woman, and the fact that it was a dilemma for the character gave me something very strong to play.
Gary from Seattle, USA:
Rupert, not including the stage, where do you find the better quality writing these days? Films, or television? And, as an extension of that question, from which source are you personally offered in your opinion the best scripts?
Rupert Graves: I think the quality of writing for film is better generally, but this is impossible to answer as there is great writing for TV, but I tend to get offered better film than TV work.
Jean-Francois from Liege, Belgium:
Is there a chance to see you one day in a European movie speaking another language, such as French for example? It would be a real pleasure for me!
Rupert Graves: If I get asked and if the producers think I can speak it well enough, but there are plenty of good Belgian or French actors they may choose to ask before me.
Caroline from Midlands United Kingdom:
In the Forsyte Saga - in which you really were superb - your character aged dramatically in the first two episodes with massive wrinkles and greying hair. Then, began to grow younger throughout the subsequent episodes - has Young Jolyon got the secret elixir of youth and if so where can we buy it!
Rupert Graves: We made strong makeup decisions which we felt we were told we had to back away from so although the character grew older, in the eyes of some it may have appeared that he grew younger.
Maybaby from Surrey:
Which acting role would you most like to be remembered for?
Rupert Graves: I want people to enjoy what I do at the time, which is why I prefer theatre over film and TV. I like that immediacy.
Erin from Portland, Oregon:
Having performed on Broadway and also the London stage, how would you say the two regions of theatre differed? Is the British concept of theatre vastly different than that of the American?
Rupert Graves: I think commercial theatre is pretty much the same in both places. Subsidised theatre is probably similar too, but I think there's more subsidised theatre in the UK. In New York I think there's more of a society built up and around theatre and Broadway is its own social elite. The West End isn't quite like that.
Mark Marino from New York City:
During the months that you performed on Broadway, New York City was put on high alert several times due to terrorism warnings. Did it effect you in any way, and did it make you anxious to return to England?
Rupert Graves: September 11th was one of the most awful acts in anyone's memory anywhere. I felt that it was such a horrendous act, that there was very little else that they needed to do. I personally didn't believe there would be any more atrocities in the aftermath, therefore I could enjoy my time in NY and wish that the play lasted longer and I could've stayed longer.
Kristina from Windsor, England:
Which role would you give everything to play and have not yet played, and which has so far eluded you but you feels you are waiting to perform?
Rupert Graves: There's no specific part that comes to mind, but there are hundreds of parts out there I'd love to play.
Ross from Bermuda:
Is there is some book that you have read that you would like to see made into a film ... that you would also act in, and what character you'd want to play ?
Rupert Graves: In my fantasy I'd like to play James Lee Burke's character Dave Robicheaux because I love his characterisations and his descriptions of Louisiana (especially the food).
Barry Wilson from London:
What would your reasons be for accepting or declining an invitation to be on Celebrity Big Brother ?
Rupert Graves: I find it hard enough staying in the country for one week, but to spend a week inside one house with television cameras would make me demented.
David, from Haifa, Israel:
For some reason, I don't know why, I have a special feeling after watching a film of yours and your acting, as if being touched deep inside. What does it feel like to have an impact on people (that you don't even know) ?
Rupert Graves:I'm glad that you felt that. When I was young I was touched by actors (such as Warren Mitchell in Death Of A Salesman), which inspired me to become an actor. I feel glad to part of a medium that touches people in that way.
Juan Castro y Velazquez from Guayaquil, Ecuador:
I saw you in a film playing the part of Joseph, playing at the beach. Does you have a particular relation to cities in front of the sea?
Rupert Graves: I was born in one and I'm always happiest nearest the sea.
Joe K from Drexel Hill, PA USA:
After being successful as an actor for the better part of 2 decades now, do you find yourself drawn to the safer, less challenging roles? That is, do you sometimes think that, when you were younger, you were more willing to take on roles that were more of a risk, simply because you had no reputation to protect or that you did not think of Acting as a life-long "career"?
Rupert Graves: I always thought of acting as a life long career. I've never really worried about my reputation, and I'm always interested in challenges and challenging roles.
Natalie Keeble, from Essex, England:
Did you ever have another real ambition whilst you were growing up? If so, what was the deciding factor that led you to your acting destiny?
Rupert Graves: I always wanted to be a runner, but I've got terrible legs and I'm quite slow!
Part Two Continues Here. |
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