Tempted across the world for a ‘wonderful, exhausting role’

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 24

Tempted across the world for a ‘wonderful, exhausting role’

KAY FORRESTER meets Jonathan Elsom.

Jonathan Elsom was already trying to be in three places at once when he received the offer of the pivotal role in the Court Theatre’s production of Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey into Night.” But he jumped at the chance — in spite of being 12,000 miles away from Christchurch. The role of James Tyrone, the earthy IrishAmerican actor, was one theatrical mountain he dearly wanted to climb — “So I said yes.” The offer was made by the Court’s artistic director, Elric Hooper, on a trip earlier this year to England, where Elsom has been working since he last visited Christchurch. Hooper had the task of casting the American classic for the American who is directing it, Paul Weidner. “That was part of the attraction — I liked the thought of working with a new director and an American director on an American play,” the actor said. He regards the role of Tyrone as “the Lear of

twentieth century drama.” “He’s bog Irish, a real bear of a man, an actor, very earthy — not the sort of role I get the chance to do often. He runs the whole gamut of emotions. He’s a mean man, a skinflint, and a drunkard — a wonderful character to play.”

Elsom’s character is 65 but, he says, he is well used to playing older men. Tyrone and his family — based on the playwright’s own — is universal and should strike a chord of recognition in Christchurch audiences, he believes. He is joined in the cast by Yvonne Martin, Paul Barrett, Stephen Lovatt and Melinda Hatherly. The season opens for a month on Saturday. Since returning to England last year after roles in “Erebus: The Aftermath” and the “Worzel Gummidge” television series, Elsom has been hard at work. First was a season in Leeds of “Another Country,” the story on stage; then some

television and commercials. 1988 began with a film in the English Lake District. Called “Across the Lake,” it is the story of Sir Donald Campbell’s speed record attempt and stars Anthony Hopkins as

Campbell. Elsom plays the part of another speed record challenger. This was followed by a stint filling in for someone in a new Terry Scott farce, “Kindly Keep It Covered.”

Most recently he has split his time between a touring season of Agatha Christie’s “Black Coffee” with Alfred Marks, another “Minder” television series as Arthur Daley’s lawyer, and directing the world premiere of Garcia

Lorca’s “Once Five Years Pass.” He enjoyed the directing, although the schedule of directing and then travelling and performing was very demanding. Eventually he handed over the direction for the play’s London season to another former Court actor, Martyn Duffy. A possible London season of “Black Coffee” fell through when the rights to Christie’s Hercules Poirot plays were bought by television, prohibiting any Poirot stage performances in the West End. “That meant I could come to Christchurch.” The Court Supporters paid for Elsom’s journey from England for the production. When he returns to England he hopes to pursue directing, possibly at the King’s Head in Islington, a pub theatre, which wants to stage a New Zealand season. “A number of plays have gone from the King’s Head to the West End... who knows?”