TDF Stages

Thanks to a plum part in Oedipus, the beloved British actress is realizing a long-deferred dream

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As a performer who's been in the business since the 1950s, Anne Reid had done it all… almost. She starred on the West End, on British tele (notably the soap Coronation Street and the rom-com-dram Last Tango in Halifax) and in movies, with her acclaimed performance and steamy chemistry with Daniel Craig in 2003's The Mother jump-starting the busiest act of her long career. But Broadway remained elusive until this season, when playwright-director Robert Icke tapped her for his celebrated adaptation of Oedipus, currently running at Studio 54.

Reid plays Merope, the mother of the title character in this modern-day reimagining of Sophocles' tragedy, which turns Oedipus (Mark Strong) into a political candidate awaiting election results along with more personal revelations. Performed in real time—a clock counts down the minutes—the play is funny and tense, with uncomfortable sex scenes (if you know what's coming) between Oedipus and his wife, Jacosta (Lesley Manville). Amid the chaos, Merope tries desperately to get her son's attention to tell him something that will change his life forever.

From the climactic gasps in the audience on the night I attended, it seems not everyone knows this 2,500-year-old play. Well, they're in good company because Reid didn't either. As she explains: "I knew about the Oedipus complex, but I didn't know the story. But it wasn't shocking to me, darling. I'm not really shockable now."

TDF Stages chatted with the delightfully quotable Reid about career goals, cocktails and what makes her throw a script across the room.

Raven Snook: I really appreciate you talking to me today.

Anne Reid: It's very nice of you to be interested!

Snook: My mother is 90 and while she's still independent and vital, I can't imagine her doing eight shows a week like you!

Reid: Yes, I have good luck. And good genes.

Snook: Broadway was a longtime dream for you, I believe.

Reid: Yes. All the dreams came after I was 70, really. It's very strange that so many wonderful things have happened to me in the last 20 years. Thanksgiving a year ago, I came over because a television show that I was in was nominated for the International Emmys. I went to a Thanksgiving party with some New York friends of mine and we were asked to make a little speech about a wish. And I said I was very sad that my dreams of being on Broadway had passed me by, and that was never going to happen. And a year later, I'm here!

Snook: And how did that come about? I know you didn't do Oedipus on the West End, which is where this production originated.

Reid: I was watching Wimbledon, actually. And my agent called and said, "How do you fancy Broadway?" And I said, "Yes, please."

Snook: Had you seen it in London?

Reid: No, but I know the woman, June Watson, who played the part. We worked together a long time ago and, you know, we can play similar parts, so I knew it was possible for me to do it. I'm glad I didn't see it in London because I'm not influenced by her performance. I think my interpretation is different from hers—I just have to do what's comfortable for me, really.

Snook: You've had long stage career in the UK. Had you ever done Oedipus before?

Reid: No. Actually, the director made a joke about my age, saying that I was in the original production in 400 BC or whatever!

Snook: Did you put him in his place or laugh?

Reid: I laughed. The other day, a good friend and I had lunch at this place in Columbus Circle, and we ordered a glass of wine, and the waiter came over and asked for our identity to prove we were over 21. I think I convinced him.

Snook: You're not the oldest performer currently on Broadway. June Squibb, who's starring in Marjorie Prime, is 96! You actually played her part in London. Have you seen the show on Broadway?

Reid: Yes! I went to the first night and I met her. She was wonderful, and the production is wonderful. That was a great thing to do in London. It was directed by Dominic Dromgoole, who's been a great mentor of mine. They don't write parts for people of my age, which is rather sad, because I could have used this as a jumping-off point, you know. I'm really sad I didn't get here 20 years ago. It's a shame there aren't more roles for older people. They're always in hospital, in old people's homes, in care homes, and I just won't do them. I just throw the script across the room. What's the point? It's bad enough getting old, and everybody talks about it all the time. The last thing I want to do is go to work and play ill. Life-affirming roles is what I like.

Snook: Has anyone ever told you that you're eminently quotable?

Reid: Maybe because I come from a family of journalists. My father, my brothers, and my grandfather had a column in the 1890s on cycling.

Snook: So, with no retirement in sight, what are your remaining career goals?

Reid: I'd really like to do a bit in an American television comedy. Maybe something that films here. I love New York. I mean, you're so mad. Yesterday was SantaCon! Americans are slightly insane, I think, but they're great fun. The sitcom is really the dream. It's too late for more stage, darling. I would love to have played lots of things. There are masses of roles, but I'm just too old now, you know. So it's no good thinking about that. Theatre is exhausting. There's one time over Christmas where we do six shows in three days. That's a lot of shows, you know!

So I shall do my cabaret and maybe get into a television show. And I'm supposed to be writing my memoirs as well. Everybody's saying to me, you've got to write a book. But I'm very lazy.

Snook: If you need a ghostwriter, I love interviewing you.

Reid: Everybody's volunteering to write it! I come from a family of writers. I've got to do it myself. I could never let anybody else do it.

Snook: In another interview, you said your secret to doing eight shows a week is cocktails. Do you stand by that?

Reid: [Laughing] Yes! Cosmopolitans, probably. We had a party in the theatre last night. I love to drink! I don't get hangovers—it's wonderful. My dad didn't either and I take after my father. I keep thinking I should stop, but I'm not going to. My son said I can't possibly die young!

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

TDF MEMBERS: At press time, discount tickets were available for Oedipus. Go here to browse our latest discounts for dance, theatre and concerts.

The show is also frequently available at our TKTS Discount Booths.