by Alan Rickman
First published 2017
Alan Rickman examines his approach to playing Jaques, the melancholic philosopher in Shakespeare's As You Like It. The actor revisits his performance in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 1985 production directed by Adrian Noble. Rickman walks through his rehearsal process and the interpretive decisions he made to bring the character to life. He explores how Jaques functions within the play's structure and reveals the technical challenges of embodying Shakespeare's sardonic observer. The actor discusses his methods for delivering the famous "Seven Ages of Man" speech and other key moments. Rickman offers practical insights into working with directors and fellow actors while developing his characterization. This behind-the-scenes account shows how one of Britain's most respected actors tackled one of Shakespeare's most complex supporting roles.
Genres: 20th-century, biography-memoir, academic
Vibes: behind-the-scenes, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-study, insider-perspective
Setting: Royal Shakespeare Company
Period: 1985
43 pages · Kindle Edition · Nick Hern Books