Interviews

20 Questions: Susannah Fielding – 'I spend my spare time mending squirrels'

The actress whose credits include ”American Psycho” and ”Trelawny of the Wells” talks strong female idols, ”Antiques Roadshow” and ”The Beaux’ Stratagem”

Susannah Fielding in rehearsal for The Beaux' Stratagem
Susannah Fielding in rehearsal for The Beaux' Stratagem
© Manuel Harlan

1. Where did you grow up?
In between Portsmouth and Chichester. In a little town called Havant.

2. What made you want to become an actor?
I did my A Levels at Christ's Hospital School and they had an incredible theatre with visiting companies bringing shows to the school. I had always loved performing but it was then I decided to try and make it my job.

3. If you hadn’t become an actor, what might you have done professionally?
A veterinary nurse. I'm a huge animal lover and spend my spare time rescuing stray cats and mending squirrels.

4. First big break?
My first job was at the National on the Olivier stage in a Tennessee Williams playing opposite Zoe Wanamaker. Without that opportunity I doubt I'd be where I am today.

5. Career highlight(s) to date?
Seeing the shocked faces of people in the audience when I first entered on a lift as a valley-girl Portia in stripper shoes and a Dolly Parton wig. It's exciting but scary to try and change a perception of a well known character.

6. Worst ever audition?
Oh I've had many, I had one where a director asked me loads of really personal questions about myself and my family and I obviously wanted the job so I really opened up. I felt really crap when I didn't even get a call to say I hadn't got the job. People forget how exposing it can be sometimes.

7. What was the first thing you saw on stage that had a big impact on you?
Mainly things at the RSC with my school. I saw The Tempest set on a huge moving boat and The Taming of the Shrew with Rory Kinnear. My mouth was agape at the story, the characters and the world they created.

8. And the last?
The thing that sticks in my mind is The Crucible at the Old Vic. It blew me away. Such moving and powerful performances and thinking of those actors going through that trauma eight times a week makes me exhausted!

9. Who are your idols?
Juliet Stevenson, Julie Walters, Jessica Hynes, Julia Davis, the fact that they all begin with 'J' is incidental. They all play women who aren't just someone's hot girlfriend. They play funny, strong and real women. That's my goal.

10. What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Work breeds work. You learn something from every job and people like to reemploy people they know and trust. So take the part, however small, as you never know what it might lead to.

11. Why did you want to get involved in The Beaux' Stratagem?
Because when I started reading the first page of the script I got excited. Language like this is a massive challenge but really fun to play. Working at the National is a dream too and [The Beaux' Stratagem director] Simon Godwin is someone I really wanted to work with.

12. Tell us more about your character?
She's a feminist trapped in a loveless marriage before the days of divorce being legal. She's a sexually alive woman with wit, brains and hutzpah.

13. Favourite moment/line in the show?
"Any aside is a guilty pleasure."

14. Any rehearsal room mishaps?
I'm always falling over and bumping into things mainly because of the huge dresses those poor women had to carry around!

15. What do you enjoy most about acting?
The people you get to meet of all ages and backgrounds who become my family while the show is on.

16. And least?
That you can be lauded one minute and forgotten the next.

17. If you could go back in time and see a single production, what would it be?
Jerusalem! I missed it and feel like I missed something special.

18. How do you unwind?
In my pyjamas after a long bath watching Antiques Roadshow.

19. If you could swap places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Someone who has a totally different brain to me like a spaceship scientist. Someone who understand maths and physics and clever things.

20. What's next?
I'm working on The Beaux' Stratagem until September and then doing a tv comedy. I feel very lucky at the moment.

The Beaux' Stratagem is running at the National Theatre (Olivier). For more information and to book tickets, click here.