From grueling marathons to unexpected encounters with Hollywood royalty, Eddie Izzard's life is a tapestry woven with threads of comedy, endurance, and a dash of the unexpected. In a recent interview, Izzard shared insights into her career, personal experiences, and the unique challenges she's embraced. Let's dive in!
When asked about tackling the iconic lines of Hamlet, Izzard revealed a surprising sense of ease during rehearsals. "I felt very at home," she confessed, a stark contrast to the expected stage fright. But here's where it gets controversial: The first time performing "to be or not to be" on stage, she felt like something was missing, as if bells or a klaxon should have rung!
Izzard's approach to Shakespeare is anything but traditional. Drawing on her background as a street performer, she connects with the audience directly, creating an inclusive experience reminiscent of Elizabethan times. She sees the audience as an integral part of Hamlet's mind.
Shifting gears, Izzard boldly proclaimed her love for George Lazenby's portrayal of James Bond, a stance that might raise eyebrows among die-hard Bond fans. She fondly remembers On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, praising the performances of Telly Savalas and Diana Rigg.
Reflecting on her Remix tour, Izzard expressed surprise at the enduring popularity of certain routines, particularly the Death Star Canteen sketch. She explained how she reimagined it, drawing inspiration from Madonna's remixes, to keep the content fresh. And this is the part most people miss: She embraces imperfections, even incorporating deliberate mistakes, as a nod to the audience's familiarity with the material.
Speaking of her creative process, Izzard fondly recalled the character of Evil Giraffe. She wondered what an evil giraffe would look like, envisioning one with a pencil-thin mustache.
When asked about her toughest marathon, Izzard highlighted the challenges of treadmill marathons, which she advised against. But the hardest one was in Northern Ireland, where she miscalculated the distance and faced an unexpected six-mile extension. She also mentioned the double marathon in South Africa, where she ran 90km in just under 12 hours, a testament to her incredible endurance.
Beyond comedy and running, Izzard revealed a hidden talent: sword fighting. Having honed her skills in Covent Garden, she now incorporates sword fights into her Hamlet performance.
Fashion is another realm where Izzard shines. She still has a lot of amazing outfits in storage. She shared a memorable story about a wardrobe malfunction during a performance. A button fell off a coat, and a sewing kit from a hotel was thrown on stage. She decided to sew the button on in real time, making it part of the show.
Izzard has also faced her share of onstage disasters, including a flooded theatre and a lighting malfunction in South Africa. Her go-to solution? Ghost stories!
In a scene from Hannibal, Izzard's character, Abel Gideon, was forced to eat snails that had fed on his severed body parts. The truth? They were mushrooms designed to look like snails. She loved the scene and the sparring with Mads Mikkelsen.
In a rare celebrity encounter, Izzard found herself unexpectedly hanging out with Brad Pitt at the Ocean's 13 premiere. Pitt, trying to avoid the red carpet, ended up joining Izzard, and even pulled her into a group photo.
Finally, Izzard offered a humorous perspective on her career, noting that her rise coincided with the decline of Margaret Thatcher's political career. She made it clear that their politics were not the same.
What do you think of Izzard's unique approach to comedy and life? Do you agree with her take on James Bond? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Izzard's Hamlet is on at the Sydney Opera House 9-21 June, then Arts Centre Melbourne 30 June - 12 July. Her Remix tour is also touring Australia 6-16 May.
