Do you think she enjoyed any of it?
Staunton asks, eyes trained on the photograph.
She sounds genuinely curious, wistfulpuzzled, even.
Photo: Getty Images
Shes just incapable of sounding a false note, emotionally or musically.
Maybe the only way to trip her up would be to ask her to play a bad actor.
That might fry her circuits.
Barbra Streiasnd in Gene Kelly’sHello Dolly!.
Shes completely wrong and completely brilliant.)
Barbra Streiasnd in Gene KellysHello Dolly!.
Dollys a departure of sorts for Staunton, an actor who has rarely opted for cozy.
Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II inThe Crown.
What was it that first appealed?
I think its very moving, she says.
Shes been away, and now shes coming back to life.
As Dolores Umbridge inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Shes had to scratch a living.
Shes put everyone elses needs first.
Now, shes realizing what she needs.
With her husband, Jim Carter, in 2023.
Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II inThe Crown.
I wonder, though, if she feels a greater empathy with the royals.
She was still filming when the queen died in September 2022 and was inconsolable at the news.
Thats over now, thats gone.
She can certainly relate to that sense of responsibility.
I dont care if youre tired.
If you dont want to do eight shows a week, then dont do a show.
When it comes to giving advice, Staunton is not one to sugarcoat it.
I go and talk to drama students.
I say, Listen, Im telling you this now.
You have to deal with rejection all the time.
Now, remember: the day you dont get that job, someone else gets it.
Its their turn that day.
You have to look at it like that because itll eat you up otherwise.
She recalls meeting the Harry Potter team very early on, pre-Vera Drake.
I went in to see them and they said, Would you play this part?
What, for a page?
And I wasnt being grand, I just thought, No, I dont want to do that.
As Dolores Umbridge inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
For Staunton, Success means working, though.
Success is a really tricky word, she continues.
And it should be spelled with a very small S. I think it poisons people.
Of course, we both take [the job] very seriously.
But you go, whats the most important thing here?
That I play another part?
I think we know how fortunate we are.
So that was just great, Staunton smiles.
Terrible, she says, bristling at the memory.
I thought I just couldnt.
It was very weird.
With her husband, Jim Carter, in 2023.
So whats their secret?
Early on, Jim did a lot more telly and films than I was doing in the 80s.
So we made that work.
Or theres two jobs, she mimes looking at a diary, I can go and do that.
Do you should probably do that?
Its theater that proves as, if not more, taxing on their relationship.
DoingGypsywas tough on him, she says.
I dont do anything.
And thats fine because my job is to do this.
I would be so embarrassed if I couldnt do my job because I had some drinks.
Which isnt to say she doesnt have any fun.
Indeed, in the foreword to said book, Emma Thompson remembers Staunton nearly killing him with the anecdote.
Ive never seen him laugh more, before or since, Thompson writes.
It was a bit like watching someone tickling the Sphinx.
c’mon, I askbegcould Staunton retell it?
If, she elaborates, she has hardly anything to do, she is happy to have a laugh.
Did they all cough up?
We had a bit of a problem with Keanu.
(Gorgeous man, she adds.)
There will be no time for any high jinks inHello, Dolly!, however jolly the show.
No, not really, she says, almost guiltily, ever the realist.
There is only one thing on her wishlist: a play with my daughter.
Thats what this is.
And its a very nice world for me to be in for a change.
Hello, Dolly!is at the London Palladium from July 6.
