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19. 02. 10. - 12:00

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19. 02. 10. - 12:00

Vienna 'God of Carnage' stars on daily soap 'opportunities'

Actors Katharine Gwen Pons and Howard Nightingall, who are currently starring in "God of Carnage" - the award-winning play by French playwright Yasmine Reza - at Vienna’s English Theatre, have revealed that as much as they love theatre, they would not hesitate a second if offered to star in a daily soap.

Speaking to the Austrian Times Pons said: "Nowadays you rarely get the choice. If an opportunity comes up, you should take it."

Pons, who stars in the role of Annette Reille in "God of Carnage", has mostly worked at theatres. The British-born actress, who does not want to give her age, was brought up in Paris and fell in love with acting as a teenager – something she has in common with Howard Nightingall.

The British-born Vienna resident, who plays the part of Michel Vallon, said he agreed with Pons when it comes to taking opportunities.

He said: "The business has become very unstable. Engagements such as, let’s say, a year in [legendary British daily soap] ‘Eastenders’ gives you exposure and experience."

Nightingall was part of many productions at Vienna’s English Theatre over the past few years. The 46-year-old however also worked as a theatre director and doing voiceover work with various TV productions.

The past has shown the father of two is not hesitant about taking on roles in what cannot exactly be described as high culture. In 2003, he performed in "MA 2412 – Die Staatsdiener", a flopping cinema adaption of popular Austrian sitcom "MA 2412" about two lazy public servants.

"I had a cameo playing an English teacher who tries to teach students German to get them fit for the EU. My character committed suicide in the last scene of the film," he laughed.

Speaking about the situation for freelance actors, Nightingall said: "It’s especially difficult in the UK these days where massive cutbacks have been made. Lots of theatre companies went under there before the recession."

Pons said: "I don’t have enough insight to evaluate the situation, but I think grants have been taken away from theatres everywhere."

"God of Carnage", on at Vienna’s English Theatre until 6 March, portrays the meeting of two couples trying to come to a mutual agreement after one son knocks out two of the other pair’s son’s teeth. But as the evening evolves, the situation gets out of control in the most bizarre and – for the audience – most entertaining of ways.

"I haven’t seen the play anywhere else before," Pons revealed.

"I think that’s rather a good thing when it comes to approaching one’s own role," she claimed.

Pons said she loved the play for having "quite a universal theme".

"The plot goes from A to B. There is no pause and everything happens in real time. It is very contemporary and tells you some crucial things about human nature," she said.

Asked what he had in common with his character in "God of Carnage", Nightingall said it was the calmness and attempts to hold the situation together.

"I used to go ballistic about various things or in certain situations when I was young. But I’m quite a laid back person now," he said.

Pons meanwhile said: "What I respect my character for is that she wants to go back at some point to explore the situation and understand why everything has come about as it has. But there are many things I would do differently if I had children."

Speaking about what makes living in Vienna worthwhile, Nightingall – who settled down in the Austrian capital in 1998 – praised the city for its "high life culture", its size and its location.

Pons said about her impressions of Vienna over the past few weeks: "I love its calmness – it’s ‘slower moving’ than London. And I enjoy its coffee culture, all the different cakes and chocolates. I’ve got a very sweet tooth!"

- - -

"God of Carnage", directed by Jane Page, is on at Vienna’s English Theatre in Josefsgasse 12 until 6 March. Visit www.englishtheatre.at or call +43 1 402 12 60-0 for ticket information.

Austrian Times

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