The Independent: Lydia Wilson is always flipping the script, turning stock characters into charismatic, fully formed people. The sweary best friend in the Anna Paquin satire Flack. A spaceship officer in Star Trek Beyond. Domhnall Gleeson’s f***-up little sister in About Time. When she first graduated from Rada, she would roll her eyes at the reductive parts she would sometimes be asked to audition for.
2 comments:
It’s interesting to see that this is a play about American politics and figures, but from a British perspective. Even as an American, I don’t know much about her as a person, mostly just that gross quote from Donald about “if she wasn’t [his] daughter” he might date her, which kind of highlights how we don’t know about her outside of her relationship with her father. I was surprised to read that British audiences aren’t fans of Kate Middleton, as I thought she was liked by people or at least just a neutral figure. I agree with Wilson that when famous women do terrible things, people often jump to misogyny when the real criticism is actually much more powerful and doesn’t contribute to harm against women. I’m not familiar with the playwright’s work but Bartlett seems to have a very original thought process when it comes to crafting stories and creating characters based on real people.
It is interesting to hear some of the differences between audience reactions in the US and the UK. Obviously there are going to be cultural differences wherever you go with a show, but it’s something directors, designers, and producers have to consider when their show is going on tour.
As someone with no respect for Ivanka Trump, hearing Wilson’s observation of the misogyny that flies around any discussion of Ivanka has made me rethink all of the misogynistic insults that are common. I would love to see how Wilson portrays Ivanka, especially because, as the article mentions, Ivanka is rarely discussed in a neutral light and remains somewhat mysterious to the rest of the world.
I really like that director Mike Bartlett is diving deeper into the bizarre ways societies look at different people of power. I am currently watching The Crown on Netflix and it has given me some insight on how much propaganda surrounds the throne to ensure they are viewed in a good light.
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