I understand that any reader of my blog, or listener of the blogs I have put on youtube knows that I have a certain lack of respect for film stars who just decide to do theatre as they need some 'credibility' or as something to take up their time between blockbuster films. I despise the idea that actors who are Hollywood headliners will just come to the West End because of the payday and knowledge that screaming fans will pack the theatres to see them but sometimes there are some really good performances to see. Ewan McGregor as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls jumps to mind really quickly, it was what I would call a serviceable performance. Ewan was fine on the stage and I didn't feel ripped off for paying for the top end tickets because I felt entertained and he was good, but I always said I would never ever see Ewan's friend Jude Law in a play.
Jude Law has flirted with the stage on and off over the years due to his failing film career it would seem, however something happened this week that changed that part of my opinion. I was on the BBC website looking at the arts section and it listed numerous reviews of Law's portrayal of Hamlet. Now there is criticism within them for Law's portrayal but there is a higher percentage of praise for his performance and its this which changed my mind on the situation. I thought back to where I had last read about Jude Law, it was a red top tabloid which revealed his newest child with a mistress or some stupid story or other about his philandering. This film star, this actor gets more press for his bedroom habits than his actual work... its sad but perhaps its a typical example of what sells papers. After all nobody wants to hear 'Jude Law worked really hard to put on an interesting performance of Hamlet, its slightly flawed but highly powerful' they want to hear 'Jude Law is a bed hopping idiot who has no film career' or another 'Jude Law screwed the nanny' story. It got me really thinking, it made me reflect on how wrong I can be about people and about artists, as a young actor/director trying to get my own break in this industry should I not respect Jude Law for taking to the stage? After all him being in a show will grant it more visibility and perhaps encourage the fans who go for him to try other theatrical events for a night out. And as for the press coverage of his love affairs let us remember that good old Larry Olivier was always the source of rumour and gossip whether it be him having an affair with Danny Kaye or cheating on his wife.
In conclusion good for Jude Law for showing respect to his work by giving his all and I really hope that it leads to him doing more stage work and really working hard to get back the respect his private life has lost him. Also I wish I had gone to see him in Hamlet now after seeing the Donmar Warehouse's staging of Ivanov.
So sorry Jude, good luck with your Broadway run and I hope I get the chance to see you on the West End one day.
