AUSXIP Interviews Lucy Lawless, star of Xena Warrior
Princess, Battlestar Galactica and now the Domina of the Ludus,
Lucretia on Spartacus Blood and Sand. We conducted our first
interview with Lucy in 2008 while she was preparing for her
London concert debut and whilst working on the Adam Sandler movie
"Bedtime Stories". In this interview Lucy talks about Xena, what her
fans have taught her, working on Spartacus and her fellow cast
mates, her involvement with Greenpeace and why that is so important
to her. Does she has future in politics, childhood memories and
more.
It's been 10 years since the end of
Xena. Instead of dying on
the vine like a lot of shows that fade from memory, this show seems
to pick up new fans through re-runs and the DVDs. What do you think
makes Xena so special that the Xena fan base gets new fans every
year?
I have no idea. I'd like to bottle it.
Your fans have learnt a great deal from you over the years, what
have you learnt from them?
Really? That's weird. well, I have learned to respect my fan base.
With few exceptions, they are decent, hardworking, fun people and in
the case of my fans, they are often skilled professionals. I am
grateful for their support over these many years. Actors disregard
fans at their peril. After all, who put you up there? Isn't it funny
that actors seem to think they did it all on their own? writers put
the words in their mouths, someone dressed them, brushed their hair,
drove them to work and then editors cut out all their crap work and
jazzed up their action scenes. And now we are all airbrushed in
post. Then, the fans made it worth everyone's while. We've got a lot
of people to thank.
Spartacus
Blood and Sand is a huge hit; was it a case of déjà vu going
back and working with some of the cast and crew of Xena? What was it
like for you?
No, not really. SPARTY is so completely different tonally, the
words, the manner of delivery, The crew were recognisable but not
the same, meaning they are all ten years older and more
accomplished. Everyone was light-years ahead of where I left them.
It was wonderful to be working with them again.
Did
you know a lot about your fellow cast members like
Viva Bianca,
Lesley-Ann Brandt,
Andy Whitfield and
John Hannah before being cast on Spartacus?
No, never met any of them. They are fantastic actors and
colleagues. I couldn't have had a better partner in crime than John
Hannah who played my husband, Batiatus. Take a look at this guy's
range. A tremendous actor. They are all stellar in these roles. They
blow me away.
We've
heard a lot about the nudity and the violence of Spartacus but, in
your opinion, what do most interviewers / reviewers overlook about
the series?
What hold and grows an audience is brilliant storytelling.
What are some of the funniest moments on the Spartacus set for
you?
John Hannah is a scream. he is always cracking up the crew and
Viva is my bestest buddy on set. She is wickedly good fun and a
terrific collaborator.
You've
been involved in
Starship,
World Vision and other charities but in 2009 you took up the
mantle of activist with Greenpeace with their
Sign On Campaign and now
Anti-Mining. Is it something you have been wanting to get
involved in for some time?
No, it just came up. I hate that we have to protect our own
national icon from our own government. Dozens of unique, native
species are threatened by mining plans. And for what? To make a bit
of quick cash? Mining for dirty coal is bad for our forests, our
atmosphere and our national identity. We sell everything off our
100%Pure brand. I wonder how effective a 67%Pure NZ brand will serve
us?
How do you feel when politicians and others dismiss you and other
actors who want to get involved in promoting campaigns such as Sign
On and anti-mining?
They can say what they like. I know how effective we are in getting
compelling ideas out there. They WISH they could dismiss us!
You have previously stated you wouldn't be interested in politics,
is that still the case?
No interest whatsoever.
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it
be and what would say to them?
I'm drawing a blank.
What's the habit you're proudest of breaking?
Sugar. I stopped eating anything with white sugar in it and I was
shocked how much it smoothed out my cravings for all things. That
high/Low blood sugar spike makes you vulnerable to all sorts of poor
eating.
If you could travel to anytime, past or future, when would it be
and which person would you like to talk to?
I would go back to Pune, India and listen to the conferences held by
Fr Anthony de Mello. Look it
up.
You
come from a large Irish Catholic family, what's your fondest
childhood memory of your siblings?
Dad would take us down the Westhaven Marina and we would all jump
off the piers into the water. Kids love diving off high things.
What's the best class you've ever taken?
Italian101
Is there anything that you'd be too scared to try?
Heroin
If they told you tomorrow that it was your last day in show
business, what role would you like to undertake just for that last
day?
Lady Macbeth
What's next for Lucy Lawless?
Dinner.
Many thanks to Lucy for taking the time out from her busy
schedule for this interview. I hope you all enjoyed the interview.
In June, Lucy is preparing to go to
Monte Carlo where she is nominated for a Best Actress award for
her portrayal of Lucretia in Spartacus Blood and Sand. In August
Lucy will go back in front of the cameras to begin filming the still yet
unnamed Spartacus
prequel - a 6 episode mini-series that will focus on Lucretia
and Batiatus. That will be followed by Season 2 of
Spartacus: Vengeance.
