Katy Stephens is an acclaimed actress known for her leading roles at Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she is an Associate Artist. Her notable awards include the 2009 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Joan of Arc/Margaret of Anjou in the RSC’s Histories Cycle, as well as an Olivier Award for Best Ensemble Performance for the same production.
The last thing I saw and loved was… Yerma at the Young Vic. Billie Piper gave one of the most extraordinary performances I’ve ever seen on stage. She was breathtaking, as were Maureen Beattie and Charlotte Randle. I find it so exciting when female performers take these hefty roles and just soar with them. It makes me feel proud to be an actress and a woman.
The book I keep coming back to… A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I grew up with David Nicholls, and he bought it for me back in the early nineties. It is such a beautiful book about faith, love and purpose, and it’s hilariously funny too. I love all of John Irving’s work. He’s my favourite writer (apart from David, of course), but I think this is the best and I always gift it to people I really like.
I find inspiration in… my Mum and Dad who have the most beautiful marriage. They met as teenagers and 61 years later are still totally in love and so supportive of each other. They’re simply the best of friends and a fantastic team, and I’m so proud of them.
My favourite film is… Strictly Ballroom. It’s so funny, quirky and poignant, and the soundtrack is wonderful. I love Australian films, they always deliver the most beautiful stories with great humour.
My career highlight is… the Histories Cycle at the Royal Shakespeare Company, directed by my hero, Michael Boyd. I played Joan of Arc in Henry Vl Part 1, and after being burned at the stake, I reincarnated as Margaret Anjou, the new scourge of the English. I played her through Henry Vl parts 2 and 3 and finally as an old lady in Richard III. I learned so much on this job, and working with Michael was life-changing. He was a truly great man and sorely missed by us all.
The song I listen to get me in the zone is… hardcore dance music I’m afraid. I’m still stuck in the rave culture of the 1980s and 1990s. However, my favourite piece of music is Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Márquez performed by the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, conducted by Gustave Dudamel. He’s such an exciting conductor, and it’s played with such passion. I love the ethos of the orchestra too because the possibility of social mobility via the arts and sports is something very close to my heart.
The last thing I recommended was... Stath Lets Flats. It’s hilarious, the Demetriou siblings are geniuses.
I never leave the house without… Zovirax. I’m blighted by cold sores and this cream is the greatest breakthrough ever. Now I can stop them in their tracks. Life changer.
My dream role would be… Macbeth. I’ve played Lady Macbeth three times but I’d love to have a crack at him. Maybe that’s a Lady M complex. “Infirm of purpose. Give me the daggers!”
The piece of work I think about a lot is… As You Like It directed again by Michael Boyd at the RSC.
The best advice I ever got… I’m not renowned for my ability to take advice. I wish I were.
My favourite moment in this show is… when the Pevensie siblings are crowned. It’s such a moving moment. It’s beautifully performed, the music is stunning and fantastically played and I well up every night.
The most challenging thing about being on stage is… not being distracted by the unholy amount of eating that goes on in the audience. Particularly crisps! When performing Shakespeare, I feel like the noise breaks the rhythm of the language.
After a show, I… listen to The News Agents or The Trawl and knit. However, I only make scarves. I need to develop my skills!
If I weren’t in theatre, I would be… an owner of a dog sanctuary. I’m obsessed with them. My son has a Dogue de Bordeaux, she’s eight and a half stone and the love of my life. If you have a dog you won’t get past me in the street.
The magic of theatre to me is… that it changes people’s lives, whether you’re in the industry or in the audience. My life was forever changed when I first saw Of Mice and Men at the Nuffield Theatre in Southampton in 1985 while on work experience. I couldn’t believe that someone just a few feet away could move me so deeply. I decided there and then that that was what I wanted to achieve and I think about it every single time we go out in front of a school audience. One of those young adults out there might just be inspired too.
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe will run from May 06 to 10 at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
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