The Character

To an actor the primary objective is to create his character. To fill that empty soul just described in the lines of the play and give life to it, filling it with colours and show it to the world (public). But what it seems an easy achievement is in fact a harsh work for the actor. He has to research, search, look, see, hear, be aware of everything and everybody. It has been said to me that an actor works twenty-four hours a day. I can stand for it, and I've learn it in the hard way. The constant observation of everything that surrounds us. And make a selection of what can fit in our character. In here we apply our creativity. How to use it, when to use it. It's a selection and an option or options we have to take and choose. And whether they stand or not that depends of the director of the play. "I like it"; "It's too much, cut some of it"; "You're in the right way, just look deeper". The usual words we ear from the director when we present propositions.

It was the transition of my knowledge about acting that made me what I am today. A better person, a better "actor". It was Hamlet that made me see the real theatre. The real acting. It was the hard work I had, and many of my colleagues had too, that made it possible for me to grow as a person and as an actor. This was the transition I had to make for the new part, Macduff in the Scottish Play. Now I have the perspective I need to make this role work and be real. But am I ready to give life to this character? Am I up to it? I'm aware that the hard work alone will not be enough for this character. Talent will be needed. Every good character needs a talented actor. Am I a talent actor or just a hard work actor? We will see with the development of this objective, that is to give life to Macduff.

Charles Henry