An interview with Lucy Griffiths
Speaking to us all the way from Los Angeles, actress extraordinaire and former YMTer Lucy Griffiths tells us her YMT experience as well as what it was like working in the US of A!
Lucy starred in YMT’s 2004 production of Amy’s Wedding and has since gone on to appear in countless programmes! Not only was she Maid Marian in BBC’s Robin Hood and Nora in HBO’s True Blood, Lucy has also had roles in Sugar Rush, Collision, and Lewis. In 2009 Lucy made her West End debut in Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece Arcadia at the Duke of York’s and she can also be seen in upcoming film Last Summer – directed by Leonardo Guerra Seràgnoli.
What do you remember about your experience at YMT?
It was one of the best two weeks of my life. That particular audition was really enjoyable too. I went up with my friends and we just had fun! It was the first year of YMT so it felt really personal.
Do you think YMT helped you at all?
Yeah! At that time I knew I wanted to do acting as a job, but, because I didn’t go to drama school I think having an experience of performing that isn’t with a local community company but that’s also not an intense three-year drama school training is a nice segue.
Do you stay in contact with YMTers?
Definitely. I hung around with four or five people who I still see. My friend Sarah Harlington (née Hagan) studied musical theatre at ArtsEd. There’s also Ambra Caserotti who went to Mountview, Lorna Harris who went to Royal Welsh as well as Eleanor Wyld and Tom Partridge. All the people I know from Amy’s Wedding are working!
As well as stage and film you’ve done loads of TV work, how did you get into working on TV?
Well, I was being sent a mix of theatre, film and TV by my agent and I spent a lot of time auditioning. I wasn’t always successful but I kept at it and then Robin Hood came up. The audition process was quite tough emotionally because I had to wait a long time to hear. I was only 19, so it was all very new. I used to imagine what it would be like if I got it and I would tell myself, ‘don’t imagine it’! The actual meetings themselves were really enjoyable and Dominic Minghella, who wrote and produced Robin Hood, was really relaxed. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed playing the part.
How was your experience working on True Blood?
I was really struck by how friendly and excited everyone was when meeting me. I’d never really experience that before. The producers were just awesome, Brian Buckner, who has taken over running the show, really made me feel welcome.
Is there a difference between working in the UK and the US?
There’s one big difference that I notice. In the UK you get picked up and taken to the job, whereas in the US you can drive yourself! It felt a lot more normal and was actually a nice bit of freedom. Also, there is more of a dialogue between writers and actors in the US. For me, it seemed more ordinary in the US, maybe that’s because LA is an industry town. I really enjoyed that feeling.
How do you find learning your lines?
It all depends on how you work. On True Blood we were given the script on average a day or a week before shooting. We’d have a read-through as a cast, which was quite unusual as I’ve only ever experienced a read-through once at the beginning of a series. I think they shoot something like 5 minutes worth of footage a day. It’s a long process and an hour episode takes around two weeks. There’s a lot of waiting around, but so long as you don’t get bored, you’re fine. You find things for yourself to do.
Who would you love to work with and is there an ideal role you’d love to play?
I’d love to work with Guillaume Canet. He’s a French actor who was in The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio. He’s also a director and I really enjoy everything he does. I’d love to work with him. I’d also love to work with Emma Thompson.
There are a load of films that I wish would be remade. I’ve heard that Martin Scorsese loves The Red Shoes, and so do I, so I’d love him to remake that! I think he’d do a great job. The original is great and I want more people to see it!
What advice would you give to YMTers interested in a career in film, TV, or theatre?
When it comes to auditioning, knowing the material really well is key. YMT is good way to get some training behind you if you don’t want to go to drama school or you don’t have a connection in the industry. I’d suggest trying to get an agent. In general, keeping physically fit can really help! Your body is your instrument, so you should try and take care of yourself. It’s quite a complicated business to get into, but I’m hoping this will change in the future; it should be easier for people to get into.
We wish Lucy the best of luck in her future projects and we’re so glad she was able to talk to us!
