AUSXIP
Interviews Lucy Lawless
Interviewed
by MaryD -
15 December 2011
Exclusive Interview
with Xena & Spartacus Star Lucy Lawless
I last spoke to Lucy in May 2010 for the second AUSXIP
Interview when she had just completed working on Spartacus: Blood
and Sand and got involved with Greenpeace as their Ambassador. Since
then Lucy has been extremely busy starring in Spartacus: Gods of the
Arena and the soon to be seen Spartacus: Vengeance as Lucretia. To
many Lucretia is the best role Lucy has ever played but Xena remains
at the top of the list for many Lucy fans. Since our last interview,
Lucy has immersed herself in the role of Greenpeace ambassador and
Eco-Warrior; she passionately believes in conservation and
environmental issues such as Climate Change. In this interview we talk to Lucy about the upcoming
final Xena Convention, her passion for environmental issues and what fans can
expect from Lucretia in Spartacus: Vengeance.
AUSXIP: The very last Xena Convention is coming
up in January 2012, what are your thoughts on the convention being
the very last one?
LUCY: I think it's been an honour and a privilege to have had
your company all these years. it was an extraordinary show with an
extraordinary fanbase who became a force for good in the world. This
fellowship will continue and I don't believe this is the last time
we will find ourselves in one another's company
AUSXIP:.
Since our last interview back in 2010, you have become even more
involved in environmental causes and on 15 September 2011 you gave
the opening presentation to the 24 Hour of Reality segment for New
Zealand. How did that come about?
LUCY: I was invited to introduce the NZ segment by Al Gore's
company. I think they feel that entertainers have a unique way of
capturing attention so they should not be left out of the process.
All hands to the pumps! climate change demands that every one of us
participates in whatever way we can.
AUSXIP: Your presentation was cut short to about 5 minutes
due to the Auckland thunderstorms. Can you fill us in on what we
missed out on?
LUCY: I will do a transcript if you remind me (MaryD:
write memo to self to remind Lucy...)
AUSXIP: You attended the Jane Goodall lecture in June 2011;
what was the one thing you took out of that lecture that you were
not aware of?
LUCY: Jane feels that all efforts must have a three-pronged
approach: each project or person should strive every day to help
people/animals/environment. Poverty is the enemy of all
environmental progress. people do not care about people or trees if
they are starving or thirsty. It is a basic law of nature.
AUSXIP:. What does conservation mean to you in your every day
life and how are you reducing your own personal carbon footprint?
LUCY: Spurred on by my fans' efforts on
Feel The Love Day, I am meeting with solar panel consultants to
get a grid-integrated system for my home. I never let my family turn
on heaters when the can put on sweaters but if I have solar panels,
we can take the edge of the winter somewhat. Flying is my big bug
bear. I am trying to reduce flights whenever possible by scheduling
things together or staying longer overseas even though it puts my
family under some strain. It's an awful trade off, but necessary.
AUSXIP:
On 11 September 2011 we lost
Andy Whitfield who
succumbed to non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. What thoughts did you give to
your own legacy, to your family and friends?
LUCY: None. There is only love. Legacy is what men think of.
It's in their dna to pass on their name, their features, their
knowledge. I will be happy to pass from the world without fanfare. I
want to make my kids strong so that they will miss me but not be
bereft.
AUSXIP:
. Spartacus Vengeance will be with us in January 2012 and you have
just finished filming. What has your experience on Spartacus taught
you about yourself that you didn't know before?
LUCY: That I am old and grumpy and I have a wicked streak.
Managed to laugh a lot for a grumpy old fart.
AUSXIP: . What experiences will you take with you from this
series that you
never thought you would have?
LUCY: So many wonderful acting challenges. If you look back
at the beginning, Lucretia was not really written for but the role
grew and I never took that for granted. This season is going to be a
doozy for my character.
AUSXIP: Actors use the expression about
coming out of a different rabbit hole for their next role, to keep
them & their audience on their toes.
What rabbit hole have you not yet done but would still love to do?
(having done comedy, drama, fight scenes, historical drama, singing,
musicals)
LUCY: I always love playing people who are weak or exploited.
I seldom get the chance but I relish playing against type.
AUSXIP: Lucretia...natural brown,
orange/redhead or peroxide blond? Which version was the most fun to
play and why?
LUCY: Oh, the redhead gets in more trouble. When you see the
red, look out!
Thanks to Lucy for the interview! You can catch Lucy on Spartacus:
Vengeance as Lucretia on the Starz Network. The show will premiere
on 27 January 2012. Lucy will also be appearing at the 2012 Xena
Convention in Burbank, California for the Final Journey Convention
where she will be appearing on stage and also doing Photo Ops with
fans.
