Into the spotlight today is the actress Peta Taylor who adeptly challenges us in two of Tom Stoppard’s surreal, whodunit plays: “The Real Inspector Hound” and “After Magritte”. Taking place place at the New Venture Theatre from the 19th to 24th May these wonderful comedy dramas are suitable for all ages. So head out for an enterprising, Tom Stoppard Evening, but first let’s chitchat with Peta Taylor…
1. What inspired you to become an actress, performer and entertainer?
I was always the ‘narrator’ for Primary School productions and was quite jealous of all the kids who got to dress up as orphans/Romans/angels. There were no drama lessons or exams at my secondary school so the only way to prance about on stage was in school plays where I found 2 inspirational teachers who encouraged me in comedy.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your how at the 2009 Brighton Festival Fringe?
Our play, the Tom Stoppard Evening is part of a Stoppard double bill where both pieces are, I think, concerned with fantasy, reality and our accepted perceptions of both. That makes them sound a bit pompous and erudite: they’re both very fast-moving, witty, almost farcical comedies.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
The last Fringe productions I was involved with were 3 or 4 years ago: Big Iron was a saloon-based comedy and The Ministry of Biscuits was a British Post-war Black and White Musical. Both were great comedies which I utterly enjoyed showing off in.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
My worst experiences are fairly uninteresting except for actors (long silences, coming on too early etc.). The problem is, these things are also the funniest things for me – though not until at least 10 years later…
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
I have been given a lot of very good advice about performing, perhaps the most important is to never imagine or behave as if you are hilarious when doing comedy. Watching other favourite comedy actors is also inspiring.
The worst advice I ever got was to wear combats and a black tee-shirt: clichés like that don’t work for me and make me cross at the lack of imagination. There. I said it! (And I’m pants at physical theatre squats and stuff).
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I’m most proud of the fact that I earn half a living from being daft for the public (the other half is earned from school-teaching). I suppose my dream is to be healthy enough to enjoy my acting work more as I become older: that way I won’t have to ‘retire’.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
Three famous people I’d want to my dinner are: Joyce Carey (from ‘Brief Encounter’), Irene Handl and Rob Brydon. They are 3 of my favourite actors and I think we’d have a giggle. Tea and cakes (on posh stands) would be served and Joyce could pour. I was going to include Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock but they might be a bit frightening …and eat all the cake!
Photo is: Jenny Bridges – Lady Cynthia Muldoon; Steve Mallen – Birdboot; Peta Taylor – Mrs Drudge. (photo by www.stratmastoris.com).
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
I’m lucky to be involved in readings for the City Reads Project and this year’s ‘The Book Thief‘ is a beauty. Not my favourite though. I adore ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ for its daring and quirkiness: John Irving always tests us and is often funny. It also has a fabulous bit where the kids put on ‘A Christmas Carol’ which I try to read every Christmas because it’s another favourite (probably due to Alastair Sim…)
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I imagine most facts about myself will be unknown to readers so I’ll try for interesting: I lecture in a London art gallery. At school, I was entered for Classical reading competitions even though I didn’t understand the Latin texts. I fenced in my school team. I have a signed photo from Linda Lusardi for gym attendance. My name is pronounced Peter and spelt Peta.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
The second world war changed the world for better AND worse. It would be great to see Britain (and Europe) before the bombs and high-rises but we’d pay with slums and smog. No. Something I’d love to see is a little more time and thought (and perhaps less money) spent on our children to ensure they have our trust and some contentment in their own lives. Crumbs! That was bit profound.
Come and see the play!
