Author hiddlesdame
Tom Hiddleston reads from Shakespeare’s ‘thrilling’ first folio (x)
Speaking from the Chief Commoner’s Parlour, a mock Elizabethan room in the Old Library of the Guildhall in the City of London, actor Tom Hiddleston gazed in awe at the first folio edition of Shakespeare’s works.
Hiddleston stars in the Donmar Warehouse’s new production of Coriolanus, as the warrior-politician. The cast includes Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as his wife Virgilia and Mark Gatiss as Menenaus. Also in the cast are Hadley Fraser as Aufidius and Deborah Findley as Coriolanus’s terrifying mother Volumnia.
“I find it personally very thrilling in quite a sort of nerdy way to sit and hold these pages which were printed 400 years ago.” said Hiddleston.
Coriolanus is directed by Josie Rourke and opens at the Donmar Warehouse on December 6. Tickets:0844 871 7624;donmarwarehouse.com
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Tom Hiddleston meets Shakespeare’s Coriolanus – Telegraph
When Tom Hiddleston, Mark Gatiss, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen and the cast of the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus came face to face with Shakespeare’s First Folio it was a day to remember
“Reade him, therefore; and againe, and againe: And if then you doe not like him, surely you are in some manifest danger, not to vnderstand him.” The sentiment has been parroted by exasperated generations of English teachers. The words themselves belong to two actors whose names are not well known, but to whom world culture owes a debt somewhat larger than, say, Greece does to the Bundesbank.
In 1623, the first folio edition of Shakespeare’s works was published by John Heminge and Henry Condell. Without them, there is no telling how many – or few – of Shakespeare’s plays would have survived for posterity, nor in what condition. The latest company to benefit from the foresight of Heminge and Condell is crowded round one of the most perfect of the many editions of the First Folio still in existence. Their faces will be familiar from other contexts: Loki from the Thor franchise, Kristine the TV journalist from Borgen and one of those blokes off The League of Gentlemen.
This is the Donmar Warehouse’s cast for its new production of Coriolanus, starring Tom Hiddleston as the warrior-politician, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as his wife Virgilia and Mark Gatiss as Menenaus. Also in the cast are Hadley Fraser as Aufidius and Deborah Findley as Coriolanus’s terrifying mother Volumnia. Here in the Chief Commoner’s Parlour, a mock Elizabethan room in the Old Library of the Guildhall in the City of London, the all but holy book is open at “Actus Primus. Scena Prima” of The Tragedie of Coriolanus. Hiddleston sits and reads from the tome as it rests on a small beanbag.
“Here he comes and in the gown of humility,” he intones, then pauses. “Wow, that is amazing.” He flicks a few pages then embarks on a speech of Caius Martius, as the titular general is known. “Oh me alone, make you a sword of me.” “Couple of notes in that, Tom,” pipes up someone. The whole cast laughs.
This outing is by way of a getting-to-know-you session organised by their director Josie Rourke. “It’s always handy at the beginning of rehearsal to have some form of cast trip,” she says, watching indulgently from the side like a school teacher with a group of years nines. “They’re enormously excited about it. It’s great to connect them with Shakespeare.”
The cast is here at the invitation of the City of London Corporation. Also ranged around a long wide table are various other editions of Shakespeare, a couple of quartos of Othello and Henry IV part 2, the much rarer Third Folio of 1664 incorporating extra titles (most copies were burned in the Great Fire two years later). Though all valuable, the priciest is the First Folio. An inferior copy recently went under the hammer for over $5 million. An original bound edition cost £1 (a wholesale copy cost 15 shillings). Many copies survive – the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC houses 79 – but only a few remain in mint condition. Five are deemed to be the best in the world. This, given to the City of London Corporation in 1918, is one of them.
It essentially reduces an entire cast to a chorus of oohs and aahs and exclamations and respectful whispers. Gradually they manage to conjure up a coherent reaction or two. “It puts the lie the all that nonsense about him not being who he was,” suggests Gatiss. “They obviously thought he was a very important man.” Findlay alights on the “extraordinary” fact “that this is the book which has allowed all these productions to happen”.
Hiddleston says: “You’re aware of the ancient quality of the language as you learn it and speak it, and yet you try and speak it for a contemporary ear. But then you see it literally when it was printed in 1623.” For Sørensen, who has dreamed of performing in Shakespeare’s original language ever since she played Hippolyta in Danish at school, “It’s like walking into history. I don’t mean to be sentimental about it but it is quite astonishing to be sitting in front of something that is that old and recognise the words and know that this is what we’re doing today.”
Before his death in 1616, the playwright had not seen any of his plays into print. Heminge and Condell undertook to do the job for posterity. “It had been a thing, we confesse, worthie to haue been wished, that the Author himself had liu’d to haue set forth, and ouerseen his owne writings.” So they said in their foreword, which also refers to “diuerse stolne, and surreptitious copies, maimed, and deformed by the frauds and stealthes of iniurious impostors”.
They gathered 36 plays from performing quarto editions, comparing texts and sometimes asking actors to remember their lines. Troilus and Cressida snuck in under the wire so late that it is not listed at the front. Pericles missed the cut altogether.
For its own working text the Donmar has created a braid from different editions, starting of course with the First Folio edition. “You can get Shakespeare plays in a tiny number of pages,” says Rourke (with Coriolanus it’s 30), “and you see these fat editions full of notes. It just reminds you that they had recently been done for the first time.”
Her own programming predilection seems to be for Shakespeare’s Rome. The Donmar staged Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female Julius Caesar only a year ago. But for Rourke Coriolanus couldn’t wait.
“It’s a play about the bloody birth of democracy,” she says. “When is that not timely? But it feels particularly timely right now. It’s got an extraordinary performance history. It’s been both staged and closed down by fascist governments.” Her other reason for doing it was to rediscover the play with a younger male lead. Of notable actors in the role in recent decades, Ralph Fiennes was 38 and 49 on film, Ian McKellen 45. Hiddleston (as was Kenneth Branagh) is 32.
“I get excited about him as a very, very young angry man being written by an older playwright,” Hiddleston says. “It’s often played by people who’ve already played all the other big parts, and I feel like this is a young man’s part, and a tough one. It’s a play about this young star warrior who is unevolved.”
Hiddleston has had a remarkable rise since he played Roderigo in the Donmar’s Othello in 2007. His Henry V for the BBC’s Hollow Crown season got him into martial mode, but this is the role he’s had his eye on for a while. “The play is a personal passion and I don’t think I could love it or respect it any more. When Martius says to the people in his second speech, ‘What would you have that like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you, the other makes you proud,’ you could be watching Newsnight .” “A really quality edition of Newsnight,” adds Rourke.
Coriolanus opens at the Donmar Warehouse on December 6. Tickets:0844 871 7624; donmarwarehouse.com
Tom Hiddleston’s interview From “Vanity Fair“ Italy n° 47 – 27/11/2013
(the classical kind that make me say: sorry, we’re italian, it’s not our fault if our magazines love gossips, banalities and easy rethoric. There’s just one real surprise: what about pudding, Tom?? what happened to you?? O___O)
"Vi sembro cattivo?”
Eroe preferito: Superman. Bevanda: acqua gassata. Colore: blu. A Londra abbiamo sottoposto il terribile Loki di Thor al questionario di Proust e lui ha risposto a tutte le domande. Tranne una.
Se digitate il nome di Tom Hiddleston su Google, vi appariranno decine di fan club e siti dedicatigli da ragazzine adoranti. Lo amano su Facebook. Lo inseguono su Twitter (mentre scrivo ha 842.438 follower), dove c’è anche una pagina dedicata a Loki (lLove Tom Hiddleston, @Loki_Page), con quasi 20 mila seguaci.
Purosangue inglese, 32 anni, coltissimo, superscuola privata a Eton, laurea in lettere classiche a Cambridge e poi Accademia di Arte drammatica di Londra, Hiddleston nasce come attore shakespeariano a teatro.
Poi è stato il capitano Nicholls in War Horse di Steven Spielberg e lo scrittore F. Scott Fitzgerald nel film Midnight In Paris di Woody Allen. Ma è grazie al personaggio di Loki in Thor che è entrato nella lista delle celebrity più paparazzate del Regno.Lo incontriamo al Dorchester di Londra – uno degli hotel più glam della capitale inglese, con davanti all’ingresso Ferrari dorate con targa araba e Lamborghini rosa fucsia dalle striature fiammeggianti – in vista del lancio di Thor: The Dark World, colossal in 3D della Marvel, dove Hiddleston interpreta, appunto, Loki, il fratello cattivo e traditore di Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Questa volta si tratta di difendere i Nove Regni da una razza malvagia proveniente da un mondo antico e lontanissimo, guidata da Malekith il signore degli Elfi Oscuri. Nel cast ci sono anche Anthony Hopkins nei panni di Odino, e Natalie Portman in
quelli della scienziata svampita Jane Foster, innamorata di Thor. In questo nuovo episodio, Loki potrebbe riscattarsi e mettere i suoi poteri a servizio del bene. Potrebbe morire, ma anche no.Tom ha una camicia azzurra chiara, un vestito blu di sartoria, scarpa nera lucida. Look da perfetto gentleman britannico. Risponde a tutto, tranne alla domanda se è fidanzato. Da quando, nel novembre 2011, si è lasciato con la collega Susannah Fielding dopo,una storia di due anni, sulla sua vita privata è sceso il mistero. A chi gli fa presente che su Internet è pieno di fan a caccia di risposte, ribatte: «Capisco la curiosità… Quando ci sarà qualcosa da dire, la dirò». Nel frattempo, gli è stato attribuito un flirt con l’attrice Jessica Chastain, e dal luglio scorso una fidanzata, la discografica Jane Arthy. Alcuni tabloid dicono che si sposeranno, altri che si sono già lasciati, e che Tom, in seguito, ha avuto un flirt con Lara Pulver, ex di Josh Dallas, suo collega in Thor.
Dopo Loki, a dicembre farà il Coriolano di Shakespeare a teatro. Meglio stare sul palcoscenico o sul set?
«Difficile dirlo. Ci sono giorni che è molto gratificante stare di fronte a un pubblico in carne e ossa, perché si crea un certo feeling. Altre volte è interessante recitare davanti a una telecamera puntata molto vicino sul tuo viso, perché puoi esprimere sensazioni impossibili in un teatro. Mi piacciono entrambe le esperienze e credo che siano complementari».Che cosa è la fama per lei?
«Ogni attore non potrebbe definirsi tale senza un pubblico. Avere una vasta audience interessata a quello che faccio è gratificante. Non potrei chiedere di meglio».I fan le mandano lettere, pupazzi, cuoricini. Risponde personalmente su Twitter e su Facebook?
«Su Twitter si. Le lettere che ricevo sono spesso ben scritte e spaziano da Enrico V (un adattamento tv della tragedia di Shakespeare, mandato in onda dalla Bbc, ndr) a Midnight In Paris, a Loki. Mi piace che ci sia tanta varietà e interesse».Ora le faccio un po’ di domande tipo il questionario di Proust, a uso e consumo dei suoi fan. Qual è la miglior virtù che lei apprezza in una persona?
«Il sense of humour e la gentilezza».Il suo eroe preferito?
«Da ragazzino il mio eroe era Superman. Ma mi piace molto anche Enrico V di Shakespeare. E poi il personaggio recitato da Tom Hanks in Salvate il soldato Ryan».E la cosa che odia di più?
«Il cinismo».Qual è la sua idea di felicita?
«Stare con la mia famiglia, rilassato, e poter ridere insieme».E di infelicità?
«La solitudine. Non c’è niente di peggio che sentirsi solo al mondo».Colore preferito?
«Blu».Cibo preferifo?
«Uhhhh. Ce ne sono troppi. Ma se proprio devo scegliere, un bell’hamburger».Bevanda?
«Caffè e acqua gassata».Non dica così. Un inglese purosangue che beve acqua gassata non si è mai sentito. Dica qualcosa di alcolico.
«Vodka tonic».Se potesse scegliere il prossimo ruolo, chi le piacerebbe interpretare?
«Un personaggio eroico. Trovo emozionante quando uno è messo alla prova, fisicamente, emotivamente e continua a fare la cosa giusta, senza debolezze. Questi sono i personaggi che mi fanno piangere».Lei ha frequentato Eton, il college dei principi William ed Harry, e del premier Cameron. Come ci è finito?
«Avevo 13 anni e dovevo scegliere la scuola superiore. Mio padre tornò da una visita a Eton e disse: “Ci sono 15 campi da calcio. Te lo puoi immaginare? Quindici. C’è un teatro. C’è un edificio solo per dipingere. Ci devi andare. Devi”. (Fa una pausa, ndr). Quando tuo padre è una persona che viene dal nulla e si è costruito una vita e un lavoro straordinari, e fa di tutto per darti la
migliore educazione possibile, non ti tiri indietro».Per entrare a Eton bisogna studiare parecchio e avere ottimi voti (la media del 9 in Italia). Ma per capire meglio le parole di Tom, manca un tassello. E cioè che suo padre James è originario di Greenock, un distretto operaio vicino a Glasgow. Figlio di un carpentiere, lavorava da un macellaio mentre studiava al liceo. Alla fine è riuscito a iscriversi all’università ed è diventato amministratore delegato di una grande industria farmaceutica. Non c’è bisogno di chiedere a Tom se James Hiddleston è fiero di lui.
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“Do I look like the bad guy?”
Favorite hero: Superman. Drink: sparkling water. Color: blue. In London we have subjected the terrible Loki Thor’s with Proust Questionnaire and he answered to all the questions. Except one.
If you type the name of Tom Hiddleston on Google, they will appear dozens of fan clubs and sites made by adoring girls. They love him on Facebook. The follow him on Twitter (when I write he has 842 438 followers ), where there is also a page dedicated to Loki (ILoveTom Hiddleston, @ Loki_Page), with almost 20 thousand followers.
English thoroughbred, 32, well-educated, super private school Eton, a degree in classics at Cambridge and then Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Hiddleston was born as a Shakespearean actor in the theater.
Then he was the Captain Nicholls in Steven Spielberg “War Horse” and writer F. Scott Fitzgerald in the movie “Midnight in Paris” by Woody Allen. But it is thanks to the character of Loki in Thor that he entered in the list of more paparazzid celebrities of the Kingdom.We meet him at the Dorchester in London – one of the most glamorous hotels in the English capital, with front entrance full of Ferrari and Lamborghini golden plate with Arab fuchsia pink streaks from flaming – ahead of the launch of Thor: The Dark World of Marvel, where Hiddleston plays, in fact, Loki, the evil brother and traitor of Thor (Chris Hemsworth). This time he comes to defend the Nine Realms from an evil race coming from a distant and ancient world, led by Malekith, the Lord of the Dark Elves. Also in the cast, Anthony Hopkins in the role of Odin, and Natalie Portman as the ditzy scientist Jane Foster, Thor’s love. In this new episode, Loki could redeem himself and put his powers to the service of good. He may dies, but maybe not.
Tom has a light blue shirt, a blue dress tailoring, shiny black shoes. He looks like a perfect British gentleman. He responds to all the question except if he’s engaged. Since when, in November 2011, he split from colleague Susannah Fielding, a story of two years, his private life was down the mystery. To those who pointed out that the Internet is full of fans on the hunt for answers, he replies: “I understand your curiosity… When there will be be something to say, I’ll say”. Meanwhile, there were rumors of an affair with actress Jessica Chastain, and, since last July, of a girlfriend, the record executive Jane Arthy. Some tabloids say that they will marry, others that they have already left, and that Tom had an affair with Lara Pulver, ex of Josh Dallas, his colleague in Thor.
After Loki, in December there will be the theater of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Better to stay on the stage or on the set?
“It’s hard to say. There are days that it is very gratifying to stand in front of an audience in the flesh, because it creates a certain feeling. Other times it’s interesting to act in front of a camera pointed very close to your face, because you can express feelings impossible in a theater. I like both experiences and I believe that they are complementary .”What is fame for you?
"Every actor could not be defined as such without an audience. Having a wide audience interested in what I do is rewarding. I could not ask for anything better.”Fans send her letters, dolls, hearts. Do you reply personally on Twitter and Facebook ?
"On Twitter. The letters I receive are often well written, ranging from Henry V (a TV adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, aired by the BBC, ed) to Midnight In Paris, to Loki. I like that there is so much variety and interest.”Now I do some questions like the Proust questionnaire, to the use and enjoyment of your fans. What is the best virtue that you appreciate in a person?
"Sense of humor and kindness.”Your favorite hero?
“As a kid, my hero was Superman. But I also really like Shakespeare’s Henry V. And then the character played by Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan”And the thing you hate the most?
"The cynicism”What is your idea of happiness?
“Being with my family, relaxed, and be able to laugh together.”And of unhappiness ?
“The loneliness. There’s nothing worse than feeling alone in the world.”Favorite color?
"Blue.”Favorite food?
“Uhhhh. There are too many. But if I have to choose, a good hamburger.”Drink?
"Coffee and sparkling water.”Don’t say that. We never heard of a thoroughbred English drinking sparkling water. Say something alcoholic.
“Vodka and tonic.”If you could choose your next role, who would you like to play?
“An heroic character. I find it exciting when one is put to the test, physically, emotionally, and he continues to do the right thing, without weaknesses. These are the characters that make me cry.”You attended Eton, the college of princes William and Harry, and Prime Minister Cameron. How did it go?
"I was 13 and I had to choose the school. My father returned from a visit to Eton and said: ” There are 15 football fields. You can imagine ? Fifteen. There is a theater. There is a building just to paint. You have to go. You have to.” (he pauses, ed.) “When your father is a person who comes from nothing and has built an extraordinary life and work, and do everything possible to give you the best education possible, you do not pull back. “To enter Eton, you have to study a lot and have excellent grades (average of 9 in Italy). But to understand better the words of Tom, there’s a missing piece: his father James was born in Greenock, a working-class district near Glasgow. The son of a carpenter, he worked as a butcher while studying in high school. Eventually he managed to enroll at the university and became CEO of a large pharmaceutical industry. No need to ask Tom if James Hiddleston is proud of him.
He was elegance, walking arm in arm with a lie 