THE DAILY MAIL – Gemma Arterton is gearing up for battle as the Maid Of Heaven (aka Joan Of Arc).

The actress will portray the virgin warrior in George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan, which will be staged at the Donmar Warehouse in London’s Covent Garden.

Donmar artistic chief Josie Rourke will direct the play, which will run from December 9 until February 18.

Shaw takes the story of the peasant girl who has a series of visions from God, telling her to lead a French army to meet the English forces at Orleans, to its tragic conclusion.

Arterton, who recently completed a run as Nell Gwynn with Shakespeare’s Globe, said she felt honoured to be taking on a part she has been familiar with since her days as a student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Shaw bestowed a share of his royalties to Rada, so there are always projects involving his work. ‘Saint Joan has got a lot of soul and it’s poetic,’ Gemma told me.

However, she admitted: ‘It wouldn’t have been something that I’d have imagined myself doing, to be honest with you. It’s not as though I’m the obvious choice.’

She met with Rourke and asked the director why on earth she had picked her for the Maid of Orleans. ‘I’m so not her; I guess because she’s religious and pure, and it’s not the type of thing I usually play. My characters have usually got a bit more sass.’

By Charlotte Griffiths

How did Prince Charles celebrate his 11th wedding anniversary with the Duchess of Cornwall?

By taking her to see a play about another Royal Charles with a passion for his mistress.

My spies spotted the couple at London’s Apollo Theatre to watch Gemma Arterton, starring as Charles II’s lover Nell Gwynn.

The Prince was riveted by the play while, according to cast member Michele Dotrice, ‘Camilla seemed to be having a great time larking about with her lady-in-waiting’.

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by David Hutchison – Apr 4, 2016

Comedy plays are often unfairly snubbed by theatre awards shows, Gemma Arterton has claimed.

Arterton, who was in the running for best actress at the Olivier Awards for her role in Nell Gwynn, told The Stage the problem also stretched further than theatre, with TV and film comedies also not getting due recognition.

The Shakespeare’s Globe production of Nell Gwynn was nominated for four awards, and won playwright Jessica Swale the award for best new comedy.

Speaking on the red carpet before the awards, Arterton said no one on the show’s team expected to be nominated “because our show’s a comedy”.

She added: “Comedies don’t usually get nominations and things. I think in general – TV, film and theatre – they get a bit overlooked. So we’re just really thrilled.”

Arterton was pipped by Denise Gough for the best actress prize. Gough took home the award for her role in the National Theatre’s drama People, Places and Things.

Speaking to The Stage, Arterton also claimed transferring new plays to the West End was vital in order to “get new talent out there”.

She said: “Luckily, our marginal theatre and fringe theatre and Off-West End theatre do develop plays from scratch. And we’re really lucky that theatres like the Royal Court, the Globe, the National get new talent out there – it’s so important.”

The actor suggested that new writing was the only way to create new theatre classics.

“I like the idea of Nell Gwynn being done for years and years and years to come, because it’s a timeless play. And the same with all these new plays that are coming up,” she said.

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RADIO TIMES – When you started out, what was the dream?
I came from a background where acting was seen as a poncey job, so I never thought it was something I could do and get paid for. We didn’t go to the theatre or cinema very often and we didn’t really watch TV… Even when I was at drama school, I thought, “I’ll probably have to do another job to supplement this.”

Was a film career your main goal?
It took me by surprise. After Rada, my agent said, “Now you have to go up for this and this,” and you just do. I was so naive, I went up for everything and was suddenly meeting the Bond people [for Quantum of Solace], thinking, “God, I’m never going to get that!” Then I got it and was like, “Oh, I’d better do it because it’s Bond…” That was my life for three years. I’m lucky to have got it! Especially when you’ve got a student loan.

Do you remember your first review?
I was really damaged by reviews last year when I did Made in Dagenham. It was a huge project for me and we got really good ones and REALLY bad ones. They picked on me, which is fine, but it’s hard when you’ve got to go on stage again that night, and the next night, for four months after that… So when I started in Nell Gwynn, I decided not to read any.

I did Ibsen at the Almeida a few years ago and [Guardian critic] Michael Billington came on press night and we were all so nervous – I ripped my trousers, it was a nightmare! Anyway he re-reviewed it at the end of the run and wrote an article about how it’s ridiculous that we review one performance, right at the start.

TV is now attracting big film stars and directors – why do you think that is?
There used to be a bit of snobbery around doing TV, especially for film actors, but it gives us greater scope. So much freedom comes with that. I think it’s the future actually…

And now theatre performances are on live at the cinema, which I’m unsure of… A performance is something you were either there for or not – that’s what’s magical about it. And also for my own ego, I hate the idea of doing a theatre performance on screen – it’s a totally different style of acting, and I don’t think they merge.

(source)

GALLERY LINKS:
– Magazine Scans > Scans from 2016 > Radio Times (UK) – April 2, 2016
– Movies & Television > She Who Brings Gifts (2016) > Posters & Covers
– Movies & Television > Love’s Labours Lost (2016) > On Set (Palacio Real de Olite) – March 13, 2016

By Naomi Gordon

Gemma Arterton is really looking forward to her upcoming movie She Who Brings Gifts, but insists she’s not playing against type – she’s just not wearing any make-up.

The dystopian horror is based on Mike Carey’s critically-acclaimed novel The Girl with All the Gifts, and Arterton plays maternal psychologist Helen Justineau.

“I’m really excited about this film,” the 30-year-old told Digital Spy. “The script is written by the author Mike Carey and it’s his first screenplay.

“The lead girl [Sennia Nanua] in it is just wonderful. She gives a heartbreaking and beautiful performance. And it’s very realistic within its futuristic setting.

“Everyone thinks I’m playing against my type – I’m not, I’m just not wearing any make-up! I’m playing a very maternal strong character. And it’s got Glenn Close in it, who’s just brilliant, and Paddy Considine. So really great actors.” Read More

By Sheryl Garratt

It’s easy to like Gemma Arterton. She’s smart, funny and rarely afraid to speak her mind, so when she says she’s excited about her latest role, you know she means it. ‘I couldn’t resist it. It’s what we need in the West End right now: a bit of pep, a bit of witty comedy.’

It’s a freezing Monday morning at a rehearsal space in south-east London, and Gemma’s caught an early Eurostar from Paris – where she now lives much of the time – to start her second week of preparation for the West End run of Jessica Swale’s play Nell Gwynn.

Dressed in a grey mohair jumper, dark knee-length skirt, thick tights and suede boots – and with skin that glows despite little sign of make-up – she looks better than ever, with an added touch of Parisian polish. She approves of French style: ‘They know what suits them and they stick to it. It’s about knowing yourself, rather than following trends.’ Read More