CityLife

Interview: Neve McIntosh (The Lady From The Sea)

Neve McIntosh and Reece Dinsdale

The 1978 Royal Exchange production of Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady From The Sea was one of the company’s most acclaimed productions.

It transferred to London’s The Roundhouse (where one Terence Stamp joined the cast) but perhaps the most enthusiastically-reviewed member of either cast was Vanessa Redgrave, who played Ellida.

So the Exchange’s new version of Ibsen’s sensual masterpiece, directed by Sarah Frankcom and written by David Eldridge from a literal translation by Charlotte Barslund, has a lot to live up to. Of course, Exchange newcomer Neve McIntosh, who’s playing Ellida this time, is well aware of the history – not least because people like me keep reminding her – but, like any good actress would, is trying her best to rise above it.

“What can you say about having those big shoes to fill? No pressure at all! But it was more than 30 years ago and you would hope nobody can remember, although of course there’s bound to be someone,” she laughs. “But it’s just up to me to make it my own and I’m quite happy with the way it’s going.

“In fact, it’s not a play I’ve ever actually seen performed live, only ever on tape but I’ve read it many times and I do think it’s my favourite Ibsen play, although for some reason it seems to be performed far less frequently than, say, A Doll’s House.

“People sometimes say it’s a women’s play, so it’s interesting that it’s going to be directed here by a woman.

“It’s also exciting that this is a new adaptation by David Eldridge, taken from a literal translation,” she adds.

In this passionate and sweeping drama, lighthouse keeper’s daughter Ellida is married to the widower Dr Wangel and trying to put her past behind her. Beyond the secure walls of her home, she is constantly drawn towards the sea and it is from here that her long-lost love returns, promising the ecstasy of the unknown.

“Of course, the role itself has been described as a female Hamlet because it’s all about what is going on in my head,” observes the Paisley-born actress whose previous theatre work has included Proof at Perth Theatre and The Merchant Of Venice at the Edinburgh Lyceum. She also starred in the BBC TV version of Gormenghast and earlier this year played opposite Matt Smith’s Doctor Who as two Silurian sisters. 

The cast also includes Reece Dinsdale, from Coronation Street and Life On Mars, as well as Don Carlos and Woundings at the Exchange, as Doctor Wangel, with another Corrie alumnus, Bill Ward, as The Stranger.
It’s directed by the M.E.N Theatre Award-winning Sarah Frankcom, some of whose recent successes include The Children’s Hour, Punk Rock (currently on a national tour) and the Exchange’s hugely popular 2009 Christmas show Blithe Spirit.

As if it was pre-ordained, Neve happened to be in Manchester, filming Jimmy McGovern’s The Accused, when Sarah asked her to audition for The Lady From The Sea.

“I was able to tell her that there was no need for her to see me in London, we could meet up at the Midland Hotel,” she laughs. “At the time, I’d never even been in Manchester
before and now here I am for the second time this year.”

The Lady From The Sea is previewing at the Royal Exchange and runs to November 6, 2010.