Helen Hunt, the Oscar-winning actor, is making her Royal Shakespeare Company debut in a new production of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, starring alongside Kenneth Branagh and Bill Pullman. In an interview, she discussed the challenges of finding substantial roles, the current political climate in the US, and her admiration for Branagh.
A Challenging Role and Timeless Themes
Hunt plays Madame Ranevskaya, a Russian aristocrat returning to find her family estate in jeopardy. She described the part as an 'impossible beast' and praised director Tamara Harvey. Regarding the play's relevance today, Hunt noted, 'I see us in it,' but emphasized its timelessness beyond current politics, focusing on 'the overwhelming terror we all have of change.'
Navigating Hollywood's Ageism
Addressing the scarcity of meaty female roles, Hunt remarked, 'You just don't – because there's nothing you can do.' She advised artists to keep making work regardless of hiring or appearance pressures. 'You just have to keep finding a way to be making work. That's how I have dealt with it.'
Audience Behavior and Phones
Hunt commented on changing audience behavior, particularly phone use. 'Phones have changed everything,' she said. 'If you're looking at Rosamund Pike being brilliant through a five-inch rectangle instead of having your heart open ... I think we all have to be careful.'
On Her Career and Never Getting Bored
Reflecting on her career, Hunt said she was influenced by RSC teachers Cicely Berry and John Barton. She noted, 'When you really work on wonderful playwrights, Shakespeare and Chekhov ... you're never going to get bored because you're never going to be good enough to get bored.'
Political Climate and the Women's March
Hunt, who participated in the 2017 Women's March, described the current era as 'a hard time to be a human being, in my country certainly.' She added, 'It's a challenging time for sure.'
Oscar Win and Impostor Syndrome
Regarding her Oscar win for As Good As It Gets, Hunt denied impostor syndrome, saying she felt 'very proud of my work and very impressed by the work of those other women.' She acknowledged the difficulty of comparing performances, stating, 'It's not an Olympic relay.'
The Cherry Orchard runs at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 10 July to 29 August.
