The UK blew Eurovision again this year – but stage/TV/film actor Bryan Oliver restored our EU credentials when he carried off the award for best actor for his role in Canoe at the 2006/2007 Festival du Cinéma de Paris. Angela Meredith met up with him to say bonjour and félicitations.
Congratulations on the award. Would you like to tell Arts Hub all about it?
Thanks. I won the Festival du Cinéma de Paris award for best actor in the film Canoe directed by Paul Fenn. I play a workaholic businessman, Alex Dingle, who is trying to get to the most important meeting in his life. His journey turns out to be more eventful than he could ever have realised. Franco Nero won the award last year, so I’m in good company.
Is this the first award you have won and are you going to a ceremony to receive it?
I’ve been in an award winning feature film A Place To Stay – and an award winning radio play called Waiting – but this is my first acting award. Maybe I’ll get a certificate or something.
What did you enjoy about playing Alex Dingle?
Alex starts off as a very confident person, but goes on a very emotional journey, leading to a breakdown of his personality. I enjoyed having to explore the intensity, depth and range of emotions that Alex goes through – even though it was a little harrowing at times. ‘Canoe was filmed in winter and my character gets soaked rowing down the Thames. I had to run around in a soaked shirt and suit for a scene and then change back into warm clothing while the next scene was being sorted out – and then back into the soaked clothing. Very cold, very wet – but still strangely enjoyable.
How important do you think awards are?
It was fun to get one. I don’t know if they are really important. I think there are so many good performances out there – I don’t know how one can judge who the best actor is. It would be nice if it leads to lots more work, though!
Tell us about A Place To Stay.
The film won the ‘Gaia’ film award for environmental awareness in a California Film Festival. Marcus Thompson directed it. The film is about a Romany family and a group of travellers who are being forced to move on. I play Rufus, a Romany horse dealer, who is married to a younger woman, played by Amanda Ray King. My character gets very violent when he’s had a few drinks and suspects his wife is having an affair with a traveller – which she is. For the role, I had to have jet-black hair, a moustache and a ruddy complexion. When I turned up at the premier looking like my usual self, no one recognised me!
Did you research the part?
I read a lot of books on Romany life, listened to Romany music and had to learn a Wiltshire accent and how to drive a horse and cart. I also met some Romany people and had a nice cup of tea brewed over an open fire. I was able to use some of the incredible stories they told me as background for Rufus.
How did you get started as an actor?
I followed my dream. I think I was expected to follow my father into the local factory instead, but I got bitten by the theatre bug doing school productions and then went on to do local amateur productions. I also did lots of different jobs before coming to drama school in London. Then I did my stint in repertory, children’s theatre and the rest.
What has been your favourite acting job – because of the part, people, location, message, etc?
I don’t really have a favourite. Every part is a challenge. My favourite acting job is my next one.
Do you think actors are still essential in the entertainment industry – and if so, what do they give us that a computer-generated character doesn’t?
I hope we are essential or that’s me out of a job! I’ve yet to see a computer-generated character that can convey the whole range of human experience and emotions. They work well in shows like Dr Who as monsters or whatever, but we still need human actors to identify with.
Would you ever turn down a part if it conflicted with your political sensibilities – or do actors have to accept they may play characters they don’t like or sympathise with?
I would turn down a part in a film/play that was racist and attacking minority groups – but I’d be happy to play a racist character in an anti-racist film or play.
What is a typical day on a film set like?
Depends if you have a lot to do that day, or not. Either way, one has to sit or stand around waiting for lights, camera or whatever to be set up. If you’re shooting on location, then you have extra problems like the sound person calling out: “I can hear another bloody plane coming over!”
Cut!
Who did you most enjoy working with in your career?
I’ve worked with Hollywood actors Patrick Bergin and Graham Greene – and worked on several productions with actor friend Hugh Beverton, who sadly died a couple of years ago. I’ve also enjoyed working with a mate, John Gillett, whom I know from drama school – also, another friend Joan Taylor Scott; and, of course, my partner Poppy Hands.
Is there any part you must play or die unhappy?
No, I think I’ll just die happy. Neat trick if I can do it.
Film versus theatre? Have you any preference as an actor?
I enjoy both. With theatre, you get to play the character from beginning, middle to end. With film, you have to remember what’s happened to your character before and after the scene you are about to shoot, as it’s often filmed out of sequence. Unlike theatre, if you make a mistake, you get another shot at it.
Why should we still go to the theatre/cinema, anyway?
To be entertained, to be moved, to be taken on emotional- and thought- provoking journeys into the human subconscious – and out to the far reaches of the universe. And if that sounds a tad pretentious, we can always go for a good laugh and see Jacky Chan kick the crap out of the bad guys!
Do you do anything else in the business – how do you fill your days when you’re not working?
I’m also a writer. I’ve had plays produced by BBC Radio and Radio Telefis and had several plays on the fringe. I’m also writing film scripts. So, if there’s a producer or film company looking for a good horror/gangster script or a comedy thriller…
Have you a secret talent you hope you will one day be able to use in your career?
Yeah, but it’s so secret that I’m not telling anyone.
Oh, go on.
No. I’ve told you, it’s a secret. (Arts Hub sulks for a few seconds.)
Any funny stories to tell?
I’ve had a few funny things happen, including almost wrecking an entire theatre set during a show. Not my fault, honest! It was all to do with a carpet that wasn’t nailed down and an over enthusiastic actress… It’s a long story. Another time, a frankfurter ended up on an audience member’s lap.
What are you doing next?
Writing a play with a nice juicy part for myself. Also, I’ve written a play called Scarsfor Amanda Ray King, Birgitta Bernhard and TV’s Bad Girls actress Eva Pope. The play explores personal loss and its implications through the lives of three women who have been shaken by events such as the London bombings on July 7th and the war in Afghanistan. We‘re looking for a venue. I‘m also working on The Poetry Show (the third one) for poet/actors Laura Bartholomew, Anna Lindup, Mike Shannon and James Windsor. I compile their poems, write links, direct them – and also throw in a few poems of my own. Acting wise? I’m still following that dream.
Finally, are you more Bond or Blofeld?
I would say I’m a mixture. More a ‘Bondfeld.’ Yes, definitely.
