The Independent (London) 18 April 2001
You ask the questions: Anna Friel
The actor Anna Friel was born in Rochdale in 1976. She made her acting debut in 1990 in Alan Bleasdale's GBH before joining Brookside to play Beth Jordache, who famously shared soap opera's first lesbian kiss (pictured bottom left). Two years later, she left to make films including Land Girls, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Rogue Trader, in which she starred alongside Ewan McGregor. Friel made her Broadway debut in 1999 to much acclaim in Patrick Marber's Closer and is currently playing the lead role in Frank Wedekind's Lulu (pictured bottom right) at London's Almeida Theatre. Friel lives in London with her partner, the actor David Thewlis.
Q - "Yes she is fanciable, Benedict." So said one theatre critic to another. How does this type of talk make you feel? Kyle McGowan, by e-mail
A - I suppose judging whether or not I'm fanciable is a form of criticism, but really it has little to do with theatre. Also, considering that the critic in question was singularly mean and went on to describe me as "sexual Horlicks", I'm a little confused by his motives. I don't know, perhaps it was a pun.
Q - Which of your film and television roles gave you the most joy? Nicholas E Gough, Swindon
A - At the risk of sounding over-diplomatic I find it difficult to single out any one project since the truth is that every job I've ever done has been a joy and taught me the lessons to carry me through to the next one. Having said that, I really loved playing Pru in Land Girls!
Q - I used to be hooked on Brookside, but now I barely bother to switch on. What do you think went so wrong? And what would your remedy be? Sara Berniers, by e-mail
A - I think that since all soaps have a finite shelf-life with regard to plausibility of scenarios then it is inevitable that they must all pass through tedious and mundane stages. When this happens they often find themselves reinvestigating previously successful storylines in the hope that audiences won't notice. Since I started working in theatre, I have had no chance to keep up with any of the story- lines, so I find it difficult to suggest a specific remedy. I understand that shootings and rape are in at the moment.
Q - I meant to see you in Land Girls, but didn't. What did I miss? Nicholas E Gough, Swindon
A - Me playing Pru, what else? Well, it's showing on FilmFour at the moment and it's available on video and DVD. Make up your own mind.
Q - In recent years, Rochdale has produced not only yourself but Lisa Stansfield too. What is it about Rochdale that makes it such a hotbed for young talent? Phyllis Eaton, Blackburn
A - You forgot to mention Gracie Fields, Mike Harding, Liz and Andy Kershaw, Julie Goodyear, Cyril Smith, Bobby Ball, and we've got the widest bridge in the world. Eee bah gum, must be all that Lancashire air!
Q - Who or what do you most despise in life? Martin Millward, Gravesend
A - People who are nice to your face and cruel behind your back.
Q - In 30 years, where do you think you'll be, and where would you like to be? Sara Pinin, London
A - In 30 years' time, I'll be 54. I'd like to think that where I'll be and where I would like to be will be one and the same: still acting, still happy. I'd like to be married, with children and a beautiful home or two. I'd like to investigate directing and be able to say that I have travelled as much as I now long to.
Q - How did you prepare for the role of Lulu? Reuben Woolf, by e-mail
A - Initially I read and re-read the play, over and over. Working in rehearsal with Jonathon Kent and the other actors I learnt to understand the piece in its social context. I took tango lessons and worked on my voice with Patsy Rodenburg, this country's leading coach. I studied tirelessly every night and strove to conquer my nerves with a slowly evolving confidence.
Q - Were you surprised by the positive reception you got in Closer? How did you prepare for such a role? And were you not incredibly nervous? S Perkins, Kinver, Staffs
A - One's first time on Broadway is, of course, a nerve-racking experience. What was wonderful was how the American audiences and critics accepted me for who I was and for my acting ability; not my background.
Q - It's a sexist world and I believe your good looks have hampered your career. Do you? Sinead Miles, by e-mail
A - Since I've worked non-stop since I was 16, I don't really feel that my career has been hampered. Nevertheless, I thank you for what I take to be a compliment.
Q - I read in a magazine that you have found true love. How do you know you have? W Collins, Belfast
A - Have you got two days? If you'd ever found it, you wouldn't need to ask.
Q - The celebrity party circuit is damaging to any career that wants to be taken seriously. Discuss. Lorraine Mantle, Nottingham
A - Most celebrity parties are attached to some event or other. If you turn up you are a party animal, and if you don't you are perceived as having failed to support the event. It's one of those "lose-lose" situations. If I have occasionally been spotted out and about enjoying myself then I have only been doing what most girls of my age would be doing. The difference is that I tend to get photographed and often lied about. It's the outright lies and idle inaccuracies that are damaging, not the turning up.
Q - Without that Brookside kiss, where would you be? K Simmons, Salford
A - Not as attractive to the gay community as I am now.
Q - Why Lulu? In what way do you identify with her? Patricia Crossley, Southport
A - It's a great play that works on so many levels and one of the greatest roles that an actress could hope for. The more I worked on it, the more there was to discover about this unfathomable creature. Does that mean that I'm unfathomable therefore? Well, isn't everybody?
Q - Looking at the magazine racks, it seems to me that for a young woman to achieve some sort of celebrity, it is pretty much essential to take most of your kit off. You always seem to me to be caught in the middle, torn between what you have to do and what you want to do. Is it a continual battle against people urging you to take more clothes off? M Miles, Preston
A - It's always been a struggle to survive the whole publicity thing with any sort of integrity, and "celebrity" has become a dirty word these days. I've never worried about being photographed looking sexy, it's just that as I get older I realise that this does not preclude staying fully dressed.
Q - Denise Van Outen, Martine McCutcheon and Danni Minogue all seem to be looking to the stage to resurrect their flagging celebrity careers. As a professional actor, what advice would you give them? Kieron Malone, Bognor Regis
A - Firstly, always be cautious of anyone who says that your career is "flagging". And secondly, go for it.
Q - How are you going to vote in the forthcoming election? Susannah Dow, Croydon
A - Strategically.
Q - What are the three best things about David Thewlis? And the worst?Lisa Stanford, Telford
A - Sorry, but I've publicly revealed as much about my feelings for David as I'm going to do for the time being. Some elements of the media tend to become a little obsessed with my love life at the exclusion of all else.
Q - Do you always fly Virgin? Are you always so coy? C Peters, Swansea
A - No and no.
Q - Who taught you everything you know? Who are your heroes? Martha Bradley, Honiton
A - My dad and my mum. My mum, my dad and my David.
Q - Land Girls, Rogue Trader, An Everlasting Piece; it's not a great film CV is it? Who reads your scripts? Carl Dowing, London
A - I don't think it's too bad for a 24-year-old and hopefully it'll get better with time. I've actually made 10 films and, besides, the three you've chosen to mention, I rather like!
Q - You buried your dad in Brookside. If you could bring any person back to life who would it be? And why? F Rozenburg, London
A - My grandfather, who died whilst I was in New York performing Closer. Do I need to answer why?
`Lulu' runs until 12 May at the Almeida at King's Cross, Omega Place, off Caledonian Road, London N1 (020-7359 4404)