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- Interview with Michael Brown
Interview with Michael Brown
What were your first impressions of the character of Viola? Answer
How would you describe Viola's position at the beginning of the play? Answer
Sebastian's arrival marks a turning point in the play. Does the appearance of her brother cause Viola to feel an immediate sense of relief? Answer
You make your first entrance as Viola from beneath the stage, through the trapdoor. Does entering like this feel different? Answer
Did the fact that you would be playing a female character affect your preparations during rehearsal in any way, particularly in terms of your physicality? Answer
The exchange between Viola/ Cesario and Feste at the beginning of Act III suggests that he knows about her disguise. In what ways has the relationship between these characters developed as the season progressed? Answer
When Viola assumes her male disguise as Cesario, the costume still includes the corset from your scenes in female dress. Can you explain this decision? Answer
In what ways does the character of Viola share similarities with the character of Olivia? How would you describe their relationship? Answer
In this production, Olivia declares her love for Cesario in a very direct way. How does Viola/ Cesario react to this declaration? Answer
Did you find that, as an actor in 2002, the Elizabethan costumes were as foreign to you as male attire would have been to Viola when she assumes her disguise? Have you found any sense of shared foreignness useful in creating the character of Viola/ Cesario? Answer
This is your first season at the Globe. What were your first impressions of the Theatre space? Answer
How and in what particular scenes does the character of Viola associate with the audience? In what ways have you found that you can use audience reaction? Answer
The Tudor Group came in during rehearsals to advise the Company on Elizabethan etiquette. What have you learnt during these sessions? Answer