Mark Rylance Declines Critics' Distinction???
Date: 4 February 2003
You might have thought
Mark Rylance would be pleased to receive the Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance for his gamine portrayal of Olivia in
Twelfth Night last summer (See
Today's News). In fact, the mood of the Shakespeare's Globe artistic director could more accurately be described as livid. According to Rylance, he'd only come to today's awards ceremony at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane - accompanied by his entire company - because he'd been led to believe that the honour was for the production rather than his personal performance. He said either praise or criticism for individuals was invidious as, at the Globe, the productions were all so collaborative. "I will not be separated out," Rylance declared at the podium, going further to promise that "I will not appear again for any future awards until there is an award that recognises the ensemble." Can anyone who knows Rylance please let him know that our own
Theatregoers' Choice Awards, also announced today, have recognised Best Ensemble Performance - as well as Best Shakespearean Production (for which his
Twelfth Night was nominated) - for the past two years running? Perhaps best not to mention, however, that he was also individually shortlisted here for Best Actor. And, all those keen Rylance fans take note. He's not being modest. He
really doesn't want you to nominate him next year.
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