Ian McDiarmid Interview

Best known as Emperor Palpatine in the Hollywood blockbuster Star Wars, Ian McDiarmid, will be coming to Leicester to perform in the play Be Near Me - a compelling story about love, morality and regret.

The 64-year-old Scotsman will arrive at Leicester’s Curve Theatre on May 6 to perform for four-nights in the stage play he has adapted.

Synposis: David Anderton, an Oxford-educated Catholic priest, is assigned to a parish in a dispirited Scottish town on the Ayrshire coast. Lonely and adrift he befriends two unstable teenagers from the local school and is drawn into their exotic world. As events spin out of control he is forced to face his greatest trial yet.

In a phone interview earlier this month Mr Diarmid speaks about the controversial role, his past performances and what he’s got planned for the future...

Q: Tell me about the role you play - is it a difficult character to play?

I play a priest in a working-class parish who becomes friends with two young boys. No one can understand the friendship or why the two boys are drawn to the priest. It’s quite an interesting character to play and one that is really testing. I thoroughly enjoy playing the role and I hope the play will provide much laughter and tears for the audience.

It’s a great because everyone can enjoy it. Adults and young people will be able to relate to some parts of the play in some way.

The last time I was in Leicester was at the Haymarket Theatre many years ago so I’m excited about seeing the new [performance] space.

Q: What is your favourite TV work/film/play you’ve performed in and why?

I’ve done a number of TV shows but the one I enjoyed most was in City of Vice. I played Henry Fielding a novelist in Georgian London. In the role I got to solve crimes and it was very interesting to me.

My favourite film performance has to be as Palpatine in Star Wars. The films are by far the biggest I’ve performed in. I was cast as the original villian, which was exciting and being on set was great.

My heart will always remain in the theatre though. When you’re on stage you can make it your own. In a film once you’ve filmed a set it belongs to the studios and they can do with it as they wish or cut it out.

I don’t have to say this but it’s true, the best play I’ve performed in is Be Near Me. It’s the first time I’ve adapted anything and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I think I’ve done a good job of it too.

Q: If you weren’t acting how would you pay the bills?

Writing. Now I’ve adapted this play I’ll try my hand at doing more of them.

Q: Who is the best actor you’ve worked with and why?

All the actors I work with are great but the bunch in the National Theatre of Scotland are great to work with and they’re all very verstile. Each night they give the audience a different performance.

Q: Who inspired you as a child? Do you have a role model?

When I was five-years-old I went to see the comedian Tommy Morgan and I got the chance to go back stage. I saw him putting on make-up and it was quite scary because it was like seeing a clown. Seeing the crowds reaction to him I knew that’s the life I wanted.

In terms of Hollywood actors I’ve admired you could say Anthony Hopkins because he’s just marvellous to watch.

Q: What are your plans after the play?

I’m going to be adapting another book but I’m not prepared to reveal what yet. 
 

For more information or tickets for Be Near Me, visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk