Imelda Staunton recently sat down to answer a wide range of questions from fans, covering her iconic portrayal of Dolores Umbridge, her experiences working with family members, and her reflections on a storied career. When asked about the chilling, high-pitched giggle she developed for the Harry Potter series, Staunton clarified that the character was thankfully not based on any real-life teachers, as noted by fans Shannon_78676 and DrMToboggan. She explained that she wanted the laugh to be sharp and concise rather than silly, settling on a distinct, hard tone to keep it brief and menacing.
Reflecting on her professional dynamics, Staunton addressed the question of who was easiest to work with among her husband, Jim Carter, in Guys and Dolls; her daughter, Bessie, in Mrs Warren’s Profession; or her dog, Molly, who played Chowsie in Gypsy at Chichester Festival theatre in 2014. Staunton jokingly chose the dog, explaining that Molly was the easiest to carry on stage, whereas doing the same with Jim would be a significant challenge. She also noted that her daughter, who is 5ft 9in, would be equally difficult to lift.
Staunton discussed the technical discipline required for voice work, noting that her experience in the early 80s was foundational. “I did a lot of Radio 4 plays in the early 80s, where all you’ve got is your voice,” she explained. This background helped her transition into voice acting for children’s books like Zog and The Smeds and the Smoos, where she found she could master the booth work in just one or two takes due to her previous radio training.
When asked by Dr_J_A_Zoidberg if getting made a dame in 2024 felt like a bit of a demotion after playing the Queen, Staunton admitted she is still trying to process the honor. The conversation also touched on her collaboration with the late Pete Postlethwaite in the 2000 comedy Rat. Staunton recalled that they never actually saw him turn into a rat, but rather saw him turn back into a human. She noted, “Of course, I’d worked with Pete back in 1986 – we did a swashbuckling romp at the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Fair Maid of the West, with Sean Bean and Simon Russell Beale.”
Regarding her stage versus screen career, Staunton responded to ethd58 by noting that “one is more knackering” than the other. When asked by nivlek47 about the difficulty of delivering long speeches versus silent acting, she remarked, “Look, it’s always heaven when it’s someone else doing the work. It’s funny – when you start out in your career, you want all the big speeches. As it goes on, you start to think: ‘Oh, I’ve done that. Can someone else have a go? Off you go, you do it now.'”
The actor also reflected on her roots and current passions. Discussing her parents’ origins in County Mayo, she addressed whether she was screaming at the TV when Mayo beat Kerry to win their first GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 75 years this July. She shared that she had actually been in Kerry for four weeks earlier this year filming, and found the area stunning. On the subject of her garden, she described her love for the rose Munstead Wood and the physical labor involved in maintaining her garden during the recent heatwave, which she jokingly compared to life in Africa.
Finally, Staunton touched on her early life and professional history. Responding to Anne210, she clarified that she was not the girl who sang in the school production of My Fair Lady, though she did perform Blue Suede Shoes with her friend Angela Robinson. She also looked back on the making of The Singing Detective, confirming that the cast knew they were creating something extraordinary and off the wall that would become a significant part of televisual history. When asked about her preference for working with Bill Nighy, she affirmed that it is always a joy to collaborate with him, regardless of whether they are comrades or estranged spouses. The report also notes that great Pete Postlethwaite, as he gradually turned into a rat in the 2000 comedy Rat, what was it like working with the late. The report also notes that was it more fun marching alongside him or giving him a piece of your mind. The report also notes that which has an incredible scent, and a deep, dark raspberry colour, my favourite plant – this week – is the rose Munstead Wood. The report also notes that it’s a rose we might be in danger of losing because of climate change. The report also notes that so I think we’re going to have to change our planting, roses need water. The report also notes that getting our steps in, and our weight work with watering cans, hour upon hour, we’re obeying the hosepipe ban. The report also notes that you’d think they could just desalinate seawater for farmers, or for us to use on plants or gardens or whatever, considering we live on a tiny island. The report also notes that north London, you were in the year above me at La Sainte Union Catholic School in Highgate.
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