Sir Patrick Stewart - Daily Info

Séamus Gregan June 23, 2013

Sir Patrick Stewart is one of the most recognisable actors in the world, a knight of the theatre, Professor X, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Vladimir, and, most notably, a whole host of Shakespeare’s most compelling male characters. Recently he has attracted global attention via his Twitter account (@SirPatStew) for reasons as diverse as his pizza-eating habits and his commitment to charity work, which is often as emotionally compelling as his performances – notably for Amnesty International and Refuge. His generosity and love of theatre were to the benefit of Oxford Playhouse last Friday, when he appeared on stage for an hour-long ‘conversation’ with renowned Shakespeare expert and Provost of Worcester College, Jonathan Bate, in aid of the Playhouse appeal.

It’s one of those well known facts amongst Stewart fans (a group bolstered by Trekkies and comic book geeks) that his 7-season stint as Captain of the starship Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation was the result of the somewhat naïve and hopeful idea that the reboot of such a classic show couldn’t possibly work, and thus him signing a 6-year contract was no matter. However, knowing something relatively amusing, and hearing the great man regale you with the story are two quite different things. Not only is it obviously more engaging coming from such an accomplished storyteller, but also it’s set in the context of his impressive Thespian career. Understandably it was that career which Bate explored to great effect during the half-hour ‘interview’ stage of the evening, which was similar to being at a live recording of Parkinson, albeit with the beautiful set of Dancing at Lughnasa as an intriguing backdrop, reminding us that we’re only here for a borrowed hour.

Stewart is a compelling presence, and it seems odd that he has never played Hamlet, Romeo or Richard III – but has managed to play Othello. His voice is as deliberate, powerful and expressive as steel in the hands of Gormley, his cowboy boots a quirky and fitting reminder of his transatlantic life. That he freely gives up his time to the benefit of so many different appeals (he has been roped into The Improvised Shakespeare Company thanks to hosting one such event in Chicago) is perhaps less surprising after having been to hear him talk. He’s a man who just wants to be on stage, without having to learn lines. The Playhouse was full to the rafters to hear Sir Patrick talk, a state of affairs that he, and I think all of us there, would like to see happen more often.

Daily Info

Location

Oxford Playhouse

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