"I don't want to be on stage all my life. I'd like to do a few things and then go away."
The quote reflects an artist who values versatility and balance in their career. It indicates that while Lindsay Duncan finds joy in performing on stage, she aspires for a multifaceted life beyond it. This statement suggests a desire to explore other experiences and personal growth, before eventually retiring from the spotlight.
"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently dissimilar."
This quote suggests that the essence of acting lies in recognizing and portraying shared human qualities, rather than superficial differences between characters. The implication is that every person has common experiences, emotions, and motivations, regardless of their unique traits or circumstances. Actors who can tap into this universality will deliver authentic performances. It's about finding the humanity within diverse roles instead of simply donning a different mask for each character.
"The hardest thing for an actor is to be still, because you don't want to miss anything."
This quote emphasizes the challenge actors face in maintaining stillness during a performance. Actors are often driven by an innate curiosity and desire to express emotions, so remaining motionless can feel unnatural. However, being still allows them to fully absorb their surroundings and react authentically to the subtlest of cues, ensuring their performance remains dynamic and nuanced. Essentially, the quote highlights the delicate balance between activity and passivity in acting, underscoring the importance of observation and responsiveness for a captivating performance.
"It's a very strange thing to be involved in something that has such an impact on people and to feel like you've got nothing to do with it."
This quote by Lindsay Duncan suggests a feeling of disconnection or detachment despite being deeply involved in something significant, be it a project, relationship, or event. It highlights the paradoxical nature of human experiences where one can play a crucial role yet still feel removed from the impact they have on others. The speaker may question their contributions and the true extent of their influence.
"There's no point in doing it if there isn't something at stake."
This quote suggests that for an action or endeavor to be meaningful, there should be a potential risk, reward, or consequence associated with it, which increases the importance or significance of the action. In other words, if there's nothing valuable to gain or lose by doing something, then it may not be worth pursuing. The stakes create a sense of urgency and motivation to strive towards success or avoid failure.
My parents' generation was definitely pre-telly, and they knew how to entertain each other. Everybody knew something that they could do - a song or a poem, or a piece of music. At school, I remember being a cat and then a budgie and then a bumble bee. I obviously thought all that was marvelous.
- Lindsay Duncan
I have done some wonderful television, but you know, there's not as much exceptional material as there is in the theatre. So I do a lot of theatre, but really, as with most actors, I just love going from one to another. It's stimulating, it's diverting, it's a different way of life, and you know, I dearly like a good mix.
- Lindsay Duncan
Recently I made the mistake of opening a bundle of reviews that someone had sent me of a production from years and years ago, and someone had written a really lovely review except that it made a remark about the way I spoke: 'A lot of people find her voice terribly irritating.' Do they? I had no idea.
- Lindsay Duncan
My mother was always deeply attracted to anything medical, and I think she would have loved me to have been a doctor. My father was in the army for 21 years, came out just before I was born. There was no history of showbusiness on either side of the family, but they were completely supportive.
- Lindsay Duncan
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