Beginning in January, Mackenzie will performing in the West End in Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem. The production is transferring after an award-winning, sold out run at the Royal Court this past summer. Here, he shares his thoughts on this production as well as his film & tv projects.
Both The Seagull & Jerusalem transferred after successful first runs, does the interval between productions change how you might have approached the character before? How do you get back into it?
Ian Rickson directed both plays and he encourages the cast to find new things to explore for the transfer. This is essential to keep the piece alive and interesting. The new theatre space will mean that certain elements have to be pitched differently and new cast members will obviously bring their own interpretations. In The Seagull we had four new cast members, a theatre twice the size of The Royal Court and an 18 month hiatus.
As far as I know there is only one new cast member in Jerusalem.
What're you looking forward to going into Jerusalem's West End run?
One of the exciting things about the transfer is that it sold out so quickly at The Royal Court and so many people, including friends and family, didn't get to see it. Now they will have the chance to see what I believe is an extraordinarily beautiful and powerful play.
Can you talk about your character Ginger? How does he compare to playing Konstantin?
Ginger has remained friends with and loyal to Johnny Byron when all his peers have moved on. In that sense he is kind of tragic, like someone hanging round at school long after they have left, hankering after the good old days. But he does so through a real affection for his friend and is perhaps the only true friend that Johnny has.
He is stuck in Flintock and will never escape. He claims he doesn't want to leave but secretly or subconsciously I think he is envious of Lee Piper who is off to the other side of the world.
Konstantin in The Seagull is a deep thinker and a greatly troubled man, neither of which can be said of Ginger. Playing such contrasting parts is one of the great joys of being an actor.
Both The Seagull & Jerusalem were rumored to be becoming films in the future, how likely is that?
We are still planning to put The Seagull on film next year, hopefully in May. Christopher Hampton has adapted the script into a screenplay and, as far as I know, everyone from the New York cast is keen and on board.
Jez Butterworth's writing transfers easily to the screen but rumours of a movie version of Jerusalem are still only rumours.
Did you notice any differences in the audiences between New York & London?
I can only compare the New York and London audiences of The Seagull and I think that people who go to watch Chekhov are connoisseurs of the theatre to begin with.
When I was in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest a few years back it attracted many people who had never even been to the theatre before, simply because they knew the film. With The Seagull a large proportion of the audience had previously seen other productions of the play.
In New York, though, there seemed to be no end of connoisseurs and most were very generous. New York is a very well-read city.
Similarly, do you find you prefer certain aspects of theatre now (like that live audience), over film or tv? (or vice versa?)
I came late to the theatre and it has been a revelation, I am still very much learning the craft. But it is so rewarding and challenging and hard work. I hesitate to say that I prefer it as I love working in film and television but the experiences I've had in the theatre in recent years have been profound and I feel I am a better actor for them. One has the luxury of time to hone a performance that I've never quite had in other media.
Do you have any pre-show rituals or does it depend on the play?
I'm not superstitious but I am certainly a creature of habit and if my pre-show routine is interrupted I find it hard to get 'into the zone'.
In Jerusalem Mark Rylance and I shared a dressing room and there was a section of the show we would run through before every performance, over a glass of vintage port.
I'm always in the wings long before I'm due on stage but that is probably a fear of missing my entrance.
You've just played an archer for Ironclad, Brothers Grimm had you horseback riding and with Pirates of the Caribbean you had the sword fighting, the pistols and the cannons, do you feel sufficiently trained for period warfare now?
Drop me into any period in history and I'd put up a good fight. Except for the present day, I'm a coward in the 21st century.
How much can you say about The Adventures of Tintin since the shooting's been completed? What was it like working with Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson?
Working with Steven Spielberg was a dream come true for me. 'Close Encounters' has been my favourite movie since I was a boy. I didn't get to meet Peter Jackson in person as he was in New Zealand and joined us in the studio via a Skype video link.
The motion capture experience was interesting and bizarre. No sets, props or costumes. For one fight sequence the stunt men did the actual fighting whilst Danny Mays and I stood at the side and pulled the appropriate facial expressions.
All the actors were brought down to the same level through having to wear Velcro pyjamas covered in dots.
Since leaving Gareth Keenan behind, you've kind of appeared as a string of baddies on TV recently, coincidence? Or is it fun playing the villain?
My face and surname lend themselves to villainous characters. I think I am essentially a character actor and, I have to admit, there is a certain thrill in playing the baddie.
There are a lot of British actors playing American right now in US series, would that be something you'd ever consider?
I would love to do an American series. The U.S. makes arguably the best television with production values and writing to equal any feature film. So yes. Please.
And some extra questions...
As we're in winter, when was the last time you threw a snowball and at whom?
Last year at my son, Jude.
I showed him no mercy. He has to learn.
Best book you've ever read?
My favourite book is still Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. I've read it five or six times.
The best book I've read this year is The Road by Cormac McCarthy
An invention you couldn't live without?
A Geiger Counter
What have you got playing on the iPod recently?
Iron and Wine has been the soundtrack to my life for the past four years. Sam Beam breaks my heart and I see him when ever he is in the UK. Otherwise I'm listening to Radiohead, Nick Drake or Joni.
Favorite film growing up?
Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Back to the Future
St Elmo's Fire
Best film you've seen recently?
Let the Right One In.
Weirdest thing you've done on set for a role?
Suspended upside down, strapped to a chair, with snails on my face in The Brothers Grimm. They spent loads making animatronic snails but on the day couldn't find a glue that would stick them to our faces. So they brought in the real thing.
What was your first ever acting experience?
My first acting role was one of the wise men in the nativity. I brought myrrh. To this day I still remember my line: "I bring you myrrh".
My first professional role was the back end of the cow in Jack and the Beanstalk. I didn't have any lines.
Something that scared you growing up?
It's a cliche but I really did hide behind the sofa during Doctor Who. I think it was the bad special effects.
Captain Jack or Captain Barbossa?
I remain loyal to Captain Barbossa.
C-3PO or R2D2?
R2D2. Not that I have anything against homosexuals.
New York or Los Angeles?
I love both cities and have spent a lot of time in both but if I had to live in one I would choose L.A. The lifestyle, the climate and the friends I have in Los Angeles make it one of my favourite places. And I never thought I would be saying that.
Dinosaurs or robots?
It's a big question isn't it. Dinosaurs though.
Coin toss: Heads or tails?
Heads. Never fails.
Mackenzie interviewed by Lauren Damon
ADDITIONAL WRITING ::
Mackenzie also has written pieces for the Times Online about his woodland in Essex, travel and other hobbies :
My eight acres of woodland manage very well without me 31 October 2009
Mackenzie Crook on an Illusive Hobby 6 June 2009
My Comfort Food: Mackenzie Crook 28 February 2009
My Hols: Mackenzie Crook 11 January 2009
Mackenzie Crook on his own piece of Woodland 11 October 2008
Green Living: My Very Own Wood 12 September 2008
Buying Your Own Wood 12 July 2008