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

Congratulations to Gemma for her nomination at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards!

EVENING STANDARD – Made In Dagenham’s Gemma Arterton competes for best newcomer in a musical with High Society’s Ellie Bamber and Natalie Dew for Bend It Like Beckham.

GALLERY LINK:
– Magazine Scans > Scans from 2015 > Guardian Weekend (UK) – March 14, 2015

Born in Kent, Arterton, 29, graduated from Rada. Her movies include St Trinian’s, Quantum Of Solace, Tamara Drewe and Song For Marion. On TV, she played the title role in Tess Of The d’Urbervilles, and her stage work includes The Duchess Of Malfi and, currently, Made In Dagenham. Her new film, The Voices, opens on 20 March. She is divorced and lives in London.

‘Who would play me? Emma Stone, if she could pull off a Kent accent’

Thanks to Chuckie for the scan.

THE GUARDIAN – Born in Kent, Arterton, 29, graduated from Rada. Her movies include St Trinian’s, Quantum Of Solace, Tamara Drewe and Song For Marion. On TV, she played the title role in Tess Of The d’Urbervilles, and her stage work includes The Duchess Of Malfi and, currently, Made In Dagenham. Her new film, The Voices, opens on 20 March. She is divorced and lives in London.

When were you happiest?
In Corsica, climbing mountains and finding waterfalls.

What is your greatest fear?
That any harm should come to my loved ones.

What is your earliest memory?
Buying a Ribena with Dad from a vending machine in a hospital, while waiting for my sister to be born.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Self-criticism.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Ignorance.

Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
I have a Terry O’Neill print of Faye Dunaway. That was pretty steep.

What is your most treasured possession?
Home videos of my sister and me as children.

What makes you unhappy?
Boredom.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My ears.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Emma Stone, if she can pull off a Kent accent.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Picking my nails.

What is your favourite smell?
Jasmine.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A teacher, then an archaeologist, then a painter, then an actor.

What is top of your bucket list?
To see the northern lights.

What do you owe your parents?
Teaching me, subconsciously, to graft.

What does love feel like?
A hot current running through you. Other times, like constant warmth. Other times, suffocating.

What was the best kiss of your life?
In the rose garden in Regent’s Park.

Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?
I have to say it every night on stage at the moment. I like the actor I say it to, but I wouldn’t say that I love him!

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Elizabeth Taylor, Guy Pearce (he’s hilarious), David Bowie, Marjane Satrapi, Gena Rowlands.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
You know what I mean. Sort of.

If you could edit your past, what would you change?
Some choices I made in my early career. Also, I would have continued to practise the guitar.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Paris and London in the 1960s.

How do you relax?
Running, swimming and baking.

What is the closest you’ve come to death?
There was a week at school when I accidentally stepped out in front of a bus twice.

What song would you like played at your funeral?
Cloudbusting, by Kate Bush.

Where would you most like to be right now?
In a quiet forest, next to the sea.

(source)

Congratulations to our Gemma for her Olivier Award nomination, Best Actress in a Musical for Made in Dagenham! The Olivier Awards will take place at the Royal Opera House (in London) on Sunday 12 April.

Updated the gallery adding new photos from the Made in Dagenham Opening Night – Curtains Call, new candids from her visit at the Global Radio in London and new additions to the Annual ICAP Charity Day event. Thanks to Mouza and Haylie for their donations! :)

GALLERY LINKS:
– Public Events > Made in Dagenham Opening Night – Curtains Call
– Public Events > Annual ICAP Charity Day