May 2002

It’s that time of the year again where the REGiment gets together and emails REG another bunch of probing questions. This is the 4th in the “series” and we aim to try and do this sorta thing twice a year rather than just once.

So here’s the latest installment in which Richard has very kindly answered yet another exclusive REG Temple interview.

Onward!

1. Shade asks: What production have you worked on that didn’t live up to your expectations (other than Hudson Hawk)?

REG – An obscure unseen flick titled “Killing Dad” made in the last century with Julie Walters and the late Denholm Elliot. Very quirky script and story that got “hi-jacked” by a producer at odds with the writer/director. However the actual process of making it was hilarious. Julie Walters is the funniest actor I have ever worked with and I was just sad that this did not translate into a good film.

2. Jyllian asks: What are you most frightened of? What are the things that worry you?

REG – Let me put it this way. I think I got the master key to the penthouse suite, cellars and every story in between of “Paranoia Heights”, which I have been known on occasion to “visit.” I think, like most actors I know, I have a “genetic” imprint which reads: “large ego/ low self-esteem.” This changes from day to day and is perhaps what lots of people have to deal with. You tell me? Dealing with any kind of naked aggression has me running fast for the hills. But then again who doesn’t?

3. Maureen asks: You indicated in With Nails that you felt the part of Hugo in Henry and June was restricting/restrained – not your preferred style of acting. Have you ever watched the film and how would you have preferred to play it?

REG – My frustration was to do with having to play such a buttoned-up goody-two shoes, benignly accepting his wife’s exotic infidelities. However, the process of working with Uma Thurman, Kevin Spacey, Fred Ward and Maria de Medeiros was stimulating and fascinating. But they all had much livelier and more unusual characters to play. Yet the attraction was being given a role like that at odds with the more unhinged people I had played before. Also thought that director Phillip Kauffman made a brave choice to cast “Withnail” which is what he knew me from, as “Hugo.”

4. Djoeke asks: About “The Cold Light Of Day” – Did you like playing in a Co-production with (if I’m right) Germany, Holland and the Czech Republic?

REG – It makes little real difference where the money comes from, or the crew, as you tend to get the same like-minded people wanting to make films wherever you go, which is a real bonus. The “language” of making films transcends nationality for the most part. Except in the catering department. That can sometimes provide “floating pig’s head in soup” surprises!!

5. Djoeke asks: What did you like in your character, Marek?

REG – He is the “engine” of the story, tracks down a serial child killer and is a social “outsider” who follows his own path and not the rules of society.

6. Hazel asks: Do you get to see the publicity pictures taken of you before they are released and do you have any say in them?

REG – There is usually an “on set” stills photographer and at the end of every few weeks, they turn up with a box load of contact sheets and eye piece for you to cross out any pictures you don’t like. From all these thousands of images the publicity department then choose which pictures best publicise the finished film. So your only “say” or control comes in choosing what you don’t want anyone to see. Unless you’re Tom Cruise, and then your face is on the poster no matter what the story.

7. Hazel asks: Did you like your birthday box this year?

REG – A big thankyou very much and I’d already emailed Cameron to say so. Much appreciated. It also has a distinct smell which I love and holds the post cards everyone kindly sent and my name cards in the centre of my desk behind my laptop. So thanks again for the trouble everyone went to!

8. Jenna asks: Would you ever consider doing the voice for a computer game character, possibly based on a character you’ve played, like the Scarlet Pimpernel?

REG – Tell me when, where and how much?

9. Jenna asks: How often do you visit the REGimental site?

REG – I always feel slightly “guilty” paying a visit as it seems so egocentric, but I am very curious to read the “sightings” section and frankly amazed when people take the trouble to post their ”sighting.” A momentary sense of being on “big brother”, thinking back to the day when someone “sights” you and yet having no idea anyone has taken the blindest bit of notice.

10. Elaine asks: Richard, we have it on good authority that your favourite part of the REG Temple is the “Fan Stuff” section – I don’t suppose we could persuade you to send an occasional missive to be put up on the site for us fans, maybe it could be called “REG Stuff?”

REG – Would do so with pleasure. Any particular “missive” category you have in mind……just to get me up and running?

11. Emma asks: What type of character role would you like to play and why?

REG – Someone I’d like to be best friends with, if that makes sense! Someone very funny in other words, who also gets to fall in love.

12. KJ asks: Is it true you will be starring beside Arabella Weir in her own sitcom later on this year?

REG – True. She has co-written a mini ten minute per episode sitcom based on Johnny and Fanny Craddock, the first TV celeb chef’s. Great chance to send up all the plethora of celeb chefs on TV at the moment. They are of course totally inept cooks and wine experts in the sitcom and have a dodgy marriage. Should be a good recipe for a comedy. I worked with Arabella on a TV film called “Honest, Decent And True” in 1985.

13. Ashley asks: Did you and Joan ever consider adopting a child, during the period you were having difficulties in having their own?

REG – Yes we did, but my very determined wife persevered and we have been blessed with a “miracle” daughter who is now thirteen and blooming. Very very lucky are we!

14. Linda asks: Would you or Joan be willing to share a little bit about how Joan started as a dialect coach?

REG – She trained as a speech teacher at the Central School in London, worked with remedial children and stammerer’s, recorded accent/dialect tapes wherever she travelled. Then, like Henry Higgins, detailed each accent phonetically and rhythmically. She was offered a play to dialect coach on at the Royal Court Theatre, then “Guys And Dolls” at The National and the film “Greystoke” and has worked non-stop ever since.

15. Linda asks: Is Joan a specialist in any particular country’s (e.g. UK vs U.S.) dialect? does she have favorite dialect to teach?

REG – Joan does over 300 British dialects and two dozen American ones as well as European ones.

(She also adds that you should try and get your celluloid ass over to the States to promote yourself more – even if it’s just to sort out the two “acting Grants”)

REG – Have a word with the powers that be will you. Would love to work in the States more, especially as my daughter is now getting much more independent.

16. Steph asks: I don’t know how much you’ve worked with him (I know you did a cameo in his film Strictly Sinatra), but what is it like working with Ian Hart on The Hound of the Baskervilles?

REG – Fantastic man. Very funny and speaks faster than scouse sound. Very politically motivated and does not suffer being messed around with by anyone. He is very versatile and chameleon like. I have known him for some years and would drop anything to work with him again.

17. Steph asks: I also understand you’re writing (or maybe you’ve finished?) Wah Wah. As a young budding writer who’s in the middle of writing a screenplay (with a part in mind for you of course ;-)), do you have any advice to give?

REG – Story story story. Be utterly ruthless with yourself. If you think there are any “woolly” bits, cut them out, ‘cos if you don’t, any experienced script reader will pounce on them pronto presto, leaving great holes in your precious work. Save the agony by doing as much “pruning” as you can yourself.

18. Little Jen asks: With all the events of last September and the current conflicts in the Middle East, how important do you feel your role is as an actor to offer a diversion and provide entertainment to help ease the tension some people feel at the moment?

REG – These catastrophes are so mind boggling to comprehend – yet music is always the first thing that people turn to for comfort and a sense of unity in grief. Actors come a poor second to the immediacy of music, but in time, when it comes for these events to be portrayed, then we do have a positive “function.” Having said which, this sounds pompous and self-aggrandising, but portraying real/imagined individuals is what we do for a living and when it has social significance/resonance/impact, that’s a real bonus.

19. Susan asks: An article appeared in the NY Times this April about Kenneth Branagh preparing to stage the comic hit “The Play Wot (What) I Wrote” on Broadway next year with Mike Nichols as producer. The Broadway run is contingent on approval by Actors’ Equity, which will be asked to allow Mr. McColl and Mr. Foley to repeat their roles in New York. If the phone rang next year and you were asked to make a guest appearance in the NYC show what would your response be?

REG – I’d be there in a nano-second. Those guys are unique and very very funny. However, I am not famous enough to appear as a celeb guest in New York. I suspect the punters would say “Who the hell is that, get our money back, Doris!”

20. Pat asks: In a previous REGimental interview you mentioned Hamlet and anti-heroes. How would you feel about playing the ultimate Shakespearean anti-hero, Iago? Seems to me he’s a lot like James Fitzmaurice and you do bastards so well. On other Shakespearean roles what about Macbeth or Oberon or Pertruchio. Or maybe another Robert Louis Stevenson role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – too much like T & R III? Possibly Lord Byron in Tom Holland’s Lord of the Dead? I’ve only read two of Martin Amis’ but I could definitely see you as John Self. Maybe David Lurie, that could get you back to southern Africa. I personally like Love and War in the Apennines, but I’m not sure how that would translate onto film. I know that I’m rambling and this is getting long, but quite frankly I think there isn’t much you couldn’t do and make it believable. And I’d be willing to watch you stand on stage reading a grocery list.

REG – You should be my agent! Thanks for all the great suggestions. Will email them to my agent and keep you posted. I am currently shooting “Monsieur N” about Napoleon’s last year on St. Helena. I’m playing the English governor, Sir Hudson Lowe who was accused of poisoning the emperor. A complete bastard role and very enjoyable to do. Shooting currently in Cape Town and Paris until mid August.

21. Jane asks: Would you say you are a strict father to Olivia or are you easygoing?

REG – She would have to answer that one, but I do know, as does she, that I am a complete pushover and have been since she was about two seconds old. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her and she might prefer me to act a little more “grown -up” if anything. Strict? Never……But then again she, so far, has not required the ball and chained up treatment! Yet!

22. Suzanne asks: Do you still keep in touch with Bruce Robinson?

REG – Regularly. We have birthdays in the same week so I just had a long yak with him the other day. He is the closest brother-like figure I have in my life and speaking to him is always an enormous pleasure. He makes me laugh harder than anyone I know, apart from Julie Walters. Our “bond” is for life.

23. Jessica asks: Is there a funny story you’ve never told about any film you’ve been in?

REG – If a new one comes to mind I’ll email.

24. Foxie asks: What do you like best about London – and what do you hate about it?

REG – It’s anonymity and variety. Having grown up in a very small town where everyone knew too much about everyone else, I love the fact that you can do whatever you want and never be “judged” in the same way. The traffic and public transport is diabolical though and very expensive. Trains never run on time and the government has not delivered on any of it’s pledges about improvements that I’m aware of? It’s an embarrassment considering that the train was invented in Britain! Having lived in the city for 20 years now, I still get a thrill out of it and there is always something new to discover and see. Peter Ackroyd’s “biography” of London is a masterpiece.

25. Foxie asks: Which character that you’ve played so far do you most identify with?

REG – I’m obviously most identified still with “Withnail” due to it’s ongoing “cult” life, and the lines from that script still strike me as funny as they were when I first read the script 16 years ago.

26. Sarah asks: How do choose the films you are involved with and the roles you play?

REG – A combination of the director, script, actors, money and whether the role is going to be a challenge.

27. Sarah asks: What did you learn most from your experience of playing Withnail?

REG – That friendship is the richest reward in life. Un-buyable. Although the “character”‘ was a completely selfish old soak, he had a talent for friendship, although he “threw” it away at the end. I am grateful for the real lifelong and sustaining friendships I have reaped from working with Bruce Robinson, Paul McGann, Ralph Brown and Richard Griffiths. Nothing I would not do for these guys.

28. Scully asks: What are your favourite bands/musicians?

REG – Radiohead, Clapton, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Aretha Franklin, Streisand, Carol King, Alicia Keys, Mahler, Bowie, Morricone, JJ Cale, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra, Bob Marley, The Clash, Hendrix, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Verdi, Tom Waits, Sarah Maclaughlin, Vivaldi, Abdullah Ibrahim, James Taylor, Villas Lobos, Handel, Anastacia, Cat Stevens, Elvis, Beatles, Neil Young, Bessie Smith, Phillip Glass, and a pile more stuff I can’t think of this minute. I don’t go anywhere without a stash of sounds.

29. Scully asks: What would worry you the most if Olivia decided to turn to acting? Would it worry you?

REG – That she would have to suffer the inevitable “rejection” that is indivisible from the job. But if it’s what she wanted to pursue, I’d do everything to encourage her success.

And finally, one from me:

30. Dominique had a webpage up on the site for an upcoming film that you were apparently doing called “The Surgeon.” Did you get around to actually making this film or know anything about it at all, or is it another case of the “Rogue Male/Forth Reich” syndrome in which your involvement in a particular film was misreported?

REG – This is the first I’ve ever heard anything about this. Bizarre! Where does it come from? Are you sure you’ve got the right “Grant”? Or perhaps the effects were so special that they got me in the flick and managed to kill all my memory cells that went with it…….

lol. I’ll endeavor to find out if anything came of it? It would be pretty funny if the article did get it’s “Grants” mixed up! Maybe they were wanting you and got Hugh instead, thinking “Well maybe he’s just acting in character? Makeup’s good though?” If that’s the case then I think that Hugh probably owes you part of his paycheck!

Thanks again Richard. We really appreciate your time in answering all of the REGimental’s questions for us once more. Good luck on the Napoleon film.

REG – BIG THANKS for all your questions and the level of interest you “sustain” in my doings. The REGiment is the only “tangible” sense I have that whatever gets “transmitted” actually impacts in any way on people. Much appreciated.

Cheers and chin chin and let’s have a great century “together.”