If I were to play somebody who ran a fish and chip shop, I would not work in a fish and chip shop for three months. Staring at chips is not going to help me in my performance.
BEN KINGSLEYIf I were to play somebody who ran a fish and chip shop, I would not work in a fish and chip shop for three months. Staring at chips is not going to help me in my performance.
BEN KINGSLEYBut filming is good for you, because the crew isn’t allowed to laugh. You can’t get addicted to getting the laugh.
BEN KINGSLEYThere is always something about the villains that I’m able to play, quote unquote, that isn’t villainous.
BEN KINGSLEYThere have not been any troughs as regards my work. There’s never been a trough of my assurance.
BEN KINGSLEYThe number of choices you make in the event that you see on stage, those choices are sometimes largely determined by the rehearsal process and the experiments that you go through and the choices that you make in the rehearsal room, not in front of an audience.
BEN KINGSLEYI’ve met quite a number of people in my career, but I do have an extraordinary memory. And even though they may drift into the periphery of my memory, I can bring them right back when I need them.
BEN KINGSLEYWhen I choose a role it’s either because I recognise the man, or that I’m very curious to know him. If I neither recognise nor know him, then it is better that I don’t play him.
BEN KINGSLEYOne of the greatest things drama can do, at it’s best, is to redefine the words we use every day such as love, home, family, loyalty and envy. Tragedy need not be a downer.
BEN KINGSLEYI’m so dependent on reacting to the other actors on the set, and to the director. I’m very responsive. I react. And I treasure the energy that reaction gives.
BEN KINGSLEYIf your best friend has stolen your girlfriend, it does become life and death.
BEN KINGSLEYI think that all of us either lose touch with the child inside us or try and hold onto it because it so precious to us and it’s such an extraordinary part of our lives.
BEN KINGSLEYEqual partners aren’t always what we envision as being manifestly equal. Equality can come in many different shapes and sizes and combinations.
BEN KINGSLEYWhen you drop your guard in films, the acting process compensates. You get lazy and you start acting.
BEN KINGSLEYFifteen years before I became a screen actor, I was in the theatre. A lot of my work was comedy, which I loved doing. It’s harder.
BEN KINGSLEYI always try to find something I admire about every character I play.
BEN KINGSLEYWith narration, you have to be very accurate with your voice. It’s a good exercise to do.
BEN KINGSLEY