Eileen Atkins on Viola

A Master of Shakespeare on Twelfth Night's Heroine

Dame Eileen Atkins' definitive guide to playing Viola

About the Ebook

Eileen Atkins discusses playing Viola in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, in this ebook taken from Shakespeare On Stage: Volume 2 - Twelve Leading Actors on Twelve Key Roles.

In each volume of the Shakespeare On Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes of a landmark Shakespearean production, recreating in detail their memorable performance in a major role. They lead us through the choices they made in rehearsal, and how the character works in performance, shedding new light on some of the most challenging roles in the canon. The result is a series of individual masterclasses that will be invaluable for other actors and directors, as well as students of Shakespeare – and fascinating for audiences of the plays.

In this volume, Eileen Atkins discusses playing the role of Viola in two productions of Twelfth Night seventeen years apart: at the Old Vic Theatre in 1961, directed by Colin Graham; and in a Prospect Theatre Company production in 1978, again at the Old Vic Theatre, directed by Toby Robertson.

This interview, together with the others in the series (with actors such as Simon Russell Beale, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and Harriet Walter), is also available in the collection Shakespeare On Stage: Volume 2 - Twelve Leading Actors on Twelve Key Roles by Julian Curry, with a foreword by Nicholas Hytner.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Learn from a Shakespeare specialist's deep understanding of Viola
• Explore the gender disguise, mourning, and longing at the heart of the role
• Discover the comic and emotional rhythms of Twelfth Night in performance
• Study from Nick Hern Books' premier Shakespeare on Stage performer collection

About the Author

Eileen Atkins is an English actress and occasional screenwriter. She has worked in the theatre, film, and television consistently since 1953. In 2008, she won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Cranford. She is also a three-time Olivier Award winner, winning Best Supporting Performance in 1988 (for multiple roles) and Best Actress for The Unexpected Man (1999) and Honour (2004). She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1990 and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2001.

Publication Details

ISBN (EPUB): 9781780018874
Publication Date: 27 April 2017
Pages: 40
Format: Ebook (EPUB)
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access my ebook?

Download The Grey Hill App and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.

Can I read it online?

Yes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at reader.thegreyhill.com.

I can't see my ebook — what should I do?

Tap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.

Can I gift this ebook?

Yes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: Buy a Gift Card. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.