In
your role in the episode ‘Sleeper’ as David’s wife, there’s a scene just before
David leaves the room to do his dastardly work!!! He returns and snaps the neck of his
wife. I’ve often wondered when you see
clips of people who have to assume the position of having their neck snapped,
that timing is everything. How much
practice did you have to have to make that scene ‘believable’ and also not to
render you with a very sore neck?
Claire: I had a stunt guy who helped me with
the twist so it looked believable. We ran through it a handful of times. He was
great and I didn’t get a sore neck at all.
It’s all about turning quickly at the right moment.
You
were in The Story of Tracy Beaker as a character called Selima in The Long
Goodbye (2002), what was her role in the story? I have watched all of the
episodes since the programme started, but I’m trying to remember that
character.
Claire: She was the biker who was the
girlfriend of the gardener. (As I
recall.) She clicked with the young girl
who wore a bandana and who was a bit of
rebel. I think the plan was that
Selima would adopt her but that story never played out.
You’re
in High Tide, a film by Long Arm Films, can you tell us more about your role in
the film? After doing a wee bit of
research on the film itself, there appears to be another of the same title made
in 1987, an Australian film, is this film you’re in, a remake of that? When will High Tide be out in cinemas, or is
it straight to DVD?
Claire: High tide is a film about a Mother
and her son and their relationship. My
character, Tess is a fun loving neighbour who hosts a party. It was tremendous fun to film. I think the producers will release it to film
festivals perhaps and see what happens.
I’m not sure TBH but they have a twitter account and often post news on
there.
You
were in the drama Baker Boys (2011), I was looking through IMDB at the cast
list, there are many people from Torchwood who were also in this programme –
and another series I’ve yet to watch or hope that Netflix has it one day! You were only in 1 episode playing a
character named Gina, what was her story?
Claire: She was a rather officious call
centre manager who comes to the unemployed bakery workers and tried to train
them up for a call centre job. It
doesn’t go down well but it was brilliant fun to shoot. Boyd Clack was the actor I had most to do
with in the scene. (There’s a teeny clip
from it on my showreel on my website.)
Having
appeared in regular dramas, from Natalie Fletcher/Meg Collins in Casualty,
Patsy in Being Human, Julia Hawke in Wizards Vs Aliens, are these roles you
enjoy playing over one off characters, or do you like the variety of different
roles?
Claire: As a jobbing actor I love the
challenge of any new role, big or small.
It’s nice to get parts that allow you to really get your teeth into the
character though so a regular role is great for that. I love theatre for that as you get to work on
finding the character over a period of a few weeks. Very rewarding.
You
play Sarah in Happy Hours, a film that you completed in 2013 (according to
IMDB), who was Sarah in the story, what was her background, and can you tell us
more about the film itself, (I don’t often trust IMDB to get things right).
Claire: Sarah was an old friend of the main
protagonist. She fell out with the main
character as a teenager when they fought about a song that they’ve
written. Years later they meet again and
as a way of the lead moving on with her life, Sarah and her revisit a
performance of the song – with accompanying dance routine and rap!!! (I can’t rap
for toffee so it’s very cringeworthy. It’s meant to be.)
When
you’re not acting how do you fill the days, what other passions do you have?
Claire: I enjoy photography. Keeping fit.
I also have two sons so they fill most of my time!
Like
many actors these days adding more strings to their bow, do you also write
scripts, screenplays, involved in behind the scenes as much as in front of them,
and if you have, can you tell us anything about them?
Claire: I used to have a writing partner – a
very funny actor called Duncan Bett and we wrote a series of plays based in
houses in and around Cardiff called “The world of Fraser Sefton”. But he was more the writer then I’d
edit. I have loads of ideas for short
films and I’d love to do a one woman show but as yet I haven’t had the time to
write them.
How
did you get into acting and who inspired you?
Claire: I’ve always wanted to be an actor –
ever since I was chosen to be Mary in the school nativity when I was 6. It’s just in me. I thought at one point I’d be a teacher or a
policewoman but came back to acting in my teens. My drama teacher at Comprehensive school
inspired me a lot. Mrs Gallagher. Sadly passed away now I believe. My favourite actors are Dustin Hoffman, Cate
Blanchett, Judi Dench. The list goes on
and on.
What
was the last book you read?
Claire: I did a degree in Eng Lit and Drama
so for a few years after I didn’t read cos I’d had to read SO many books for my
course. I love books and wish I read
more. I read a lot of camera books – specifically about lighting. My last book?
It may have been the Hunger Games Trilogy. I know they are for teens but I LOVED them.
What
has been the most challenging of roles to play in your career so far?
Claire: Probably the part of Pauline in “A
kind of Alaska” on stage in 2010.
Although
IMDB doesn’t list it, have you ever performed on stage, in theatre?
Claire: Yes – I started off in theatre. Check my website www.clairecage.co.uk
and go to the theatre credits. I love theatre.
I did a fantastic project earlier this year on Dementia. Raising awareness about the condition and the
problems facing carers, family members, the sufferers themselves. I have a
theatre company called BE:Spoken Theatre with whom I did the Pinter. We have lots of projects in the pipeline.
When
you’re playing a character in a regular drama, do you ever actually watch the
drama afterwards, and not just to watch yourself in action, but for example, a
current show such as Casualty or Wizards Vs Aliens, or Baker Boys or even the
Sparticle Mystery, do you ever follow the show as an avid fan?
Claire: It’s a strange experience watching
oneself on screen. I think most actors
would agree that we are very critical of ourselves. Always wanting to go back and do it
differently. I watch my own work most of
the time as a way of evaluating what I did and using it as a learning
tool. I used to watch Casualty so I knew
what my on screen husband’s storyline was, for when they called me in again to
do an episode. I have loads of shows I
watch but I’m not necessarily in them. I
LOVE Orange is the new Black ATM.
What
role would you really love to get your teeth into if you were to ever have the
opportunity?
Claire: That’s a tricky question. I’d love to do a hard hitting drama. There are some fantastic series being made in
this country right now. Happy Valley was
extraordinary I thought. Something like
that would be great.
You
have acted alongside some really fantastic people, but who would be the person
you would love to act alongside, someone you haven’t as yet, worked with?
Claire: Easy – Judi Dench or Cate Blanchett.
Claire: I love all sorts. Though I am very easily scared and though I’ve
been in Horror film/TV shows, I can’t watch them! My husband loves them and I can never join
in. I love quirky character based
films. Frances Ha I thought was
brilliant. Amelie. Melancholia.
Films where the characters are real and not too airbrushed and
“Hollywood”. Having said that I loved
Bridesmaids. A really good feel good
comedy will do it for me too.
Acting
is a tough industry, and it’s not for everyone, what advice would you give to
people who were contemplating a career as an actor?
Claire: Only do it if it’s the only thing
you want to do as it is a tough and competitive game. Be committed.
Work hard. Develop a thick skin like a rhino but keep a soft middle! Follow your own path – there isn’t just one way to make it. Enjoy each part as if it’s your last. And get a second string to your bow which
will pay your bills and is flexible.
Although
it’s not listed on IMDB, have you ever been involved in Doctor Who, and if not,
would you love to be involved in another sci fi drama, and as a bit of fun,
what sort of character would you like to portray?
Claire: Yes I have. I played Cassandra on set with Chris Eccleston
and Billie Piper. I read the lines for
them to act with for about 5 brilliant days.
I got to play with the Face of Boe) too!
I knew they would use Zoe Wanamaker’s voice but I was stood just off
camera giving them something to work opposite.
I’ve also done a couple of the loop groups – the back ground voices for
some eps.
If
you were to meet your 12 year old self, what would you say to her?
Claire: Go to drama school when you leave
school. And everyone is beautiful in
their own way.
No comments:
Post a Comment