Brian Johns
Dedicated Member
I have got to thinking recently, for some unknown reason, about how much a character can surpass an actor’s own personality.
I am well aware that this is an extremely subjective viewpoint and has nothing to do with the ability of the actor, or of the script, direction etc. etc. but how many characters actually become “real” in your mind?
This can be, but is not necessarily, influenced by how well known an actor is.
An example from MY perception is that of Ronnie Barker. While I think he was brilliant and I enjoyed his performances, with only TWO exceptions he was always Ronnie playing a part to me. The exceptions are his portrayal of Lord Rustless and that of Arkwright.
While he played characters very similar to Lord Rustless in his sketch comedy, when I see “Lord Rustless Presents”, I see LORD RUSTLESS, NOT Ronnie playing the part.
Similarly with Arkright, when I watch “Open All Hours”, I SEE ARKWRIGHT, not Ronnie. Even in Porridge I don’t see Fletcher, I see Ronnie playing Fletcher.
While on the subject of Lord Rustless, David Jason as the gardener is another such performance where David is not present but the 100+ year old gardener is real (even if SURreal at the same time).
In terms of LOTSW there are only a few “characters” (to MY mind) which cross this boundary.
COMPO is definitely one. Although I have seen Bill Owen in several other roles, he is always Bill Owen playing a role but in COMPO I don’t see Bill, I see COMPO!
WESLEY is another such character to me, this could be due to the fact I haven’t seen Gordon in anything else but I always see WESLEY, not an actor playing him.
Auntie Wainright ALMOST makes it but something just stops it from happening with me, even though I have seen Jean in nothing else. (I AM aware of and have seen clips of her in Corrie!).
Only two other characters in LOTSW have this effect on me, Billy Hardcastle and, surprisingly, Hobbo!
I am in no way putting down the brilliant performances of others in “our” show and it doesn’t affect my enjoyment but I thought it strange how some characters can transcend their actors.
I said this is purely a subjective personal viewpoint and am well aware others will have different views, I am just curious as to what others think. Everyone’s personal experiences, knowledge of the actors’ work and their own upbringing will have some effect on perceptions so I throw it open…
Who (if anyone) has this “something” that cements them as real people in your mind, NOT characters being portrayed by actors?
I am well aware that this is an extremely subjective viewpoint and has nothing to do with the ability of the actor, or of the script, direction etc. etc. but how many characters actually become “real” in your mind?
This can be, but is not necessarily, influenced by how well known an actor is.
An example from MY perception is that of Ronnie Barker. While I think he was brilliant and I enjoyed his performances, with only TWO exceptions he was always Ronnie playing a part to me. The exceptions are his portrayal of Lord Rustless and that of Arkwright.
While he played characters very similar to Lord Rustless in his sketch comedy, when I see “Lord Rustless Presents”, I see LORD RUSTLESS, NOT Ronnie playing the part.
Similarly with Arkright, when I watch “Open All Hours”, I SEE ARKWRIGHT, not Ronnie. Even in Porridge I don’t see Fletcher, I see Ronnie playing Fletcher.
While on the subject of Lord Rustless, David Jason as the gardener is another such performance where David is not present but the 100+ year old gardener is real (even if SURreal at the same time).
In terms of LOTSW there are only a few “characters” (to MY mind) which cross this boundary.
COMPO is definitely one. Although I have seen Bill Owen in several other roles, he is always Bill Owen playing a role but in COMPO I don’t see Bill, I see COMPO!
WESLEY is another such character to me, this could be due to the fact I haven’t seen Gordon in anything else but I always see WESLEY, not an actor playing him.
Auntie Wainright ALMOST makes it but something just stops it from happening with me, even though I have seen Jean in nothing else. (I AM aware of and have seen clips of her in Corrie!).
Only two other characters in LOTSW have this effect on me, Billy Hardcastle and, surprisingly, Hobbo!
I am in no way putting down the brilliant performances of others in “our” show and it doesn’t affect my enjoyment but I thought it strange how some characters can transcend their actors.
I said this is purely a subjective personal viewpoint and am well aware others will have different views, I am just curious as to what others think. Everyone’s personal experiences, knowledge of the actors’ work and their own upbringing will have some effect on perceptions so I throw it open…
Who (if anyone) has this “something” that cements them as real people in your mind, NOT characters being portrayed by actors?
Having only seen Sarah Thomas as Glenda I can only see her as Glenda.
