Company Interviews: James Wallis as Belarius & Caius Lucius
We asked James Wallis, who plays Belarius and Caius Lucius in our production of Cymbeline, a few questions about himself, the play, and his views on camping...
James Wallis as Belarius. Photo by Kyle Purcell.
What might people be interested to know about your take on your characters?
I’ve discovered that I like playing “old man roles”. I play the sort of mentor or father figure to a bunch of people. It’s nice to settle into that role in my life and career.
Seriously though, I enjoy the language of the play, and I also have discovered how difficult the syntax of this play is. The language doesn’t flow easily or with the expected way, but that’s what is so fascinating about how the characters interact: they must speak in a sort of overreaching rhetoric. It’s kind of like the language that begins a fairy-tale, “once upon a time.” The characters are inundated with metaphor, it’s their currency. How do they use it? Why do they use it? Those are fun questions to explore.
What's your favourite fairy tale?
My favourite fairy tale is Little Red Riding Hood. I think it’s a fascinating allegory of coming of age, but one that is extremely disturbing. The wolf is such a fatal and disturbing character. I’m glad it works out in the end, but I think it’s pretty frightening.
What is your history with Shakespeare BASH'd?
I’m the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Shakespeare BASH’d. It’s been something I’ve put my heart and soul into for 10 years. I’m extremely proud of it, and it motivates me every day.
I think I’m excited to be an actor again, and also an actor who isn’t the main thrust of the story in the play. I’ve been fortunate to play Richard III and Hamlet for the company. Those were dream-like experiences, but also it is so joyful to be a member of this company and work on this amazing play. I like being someone who surprises in the latter half of the play. It’s cool.
If you were running away into the woods, who would you take with you?
Well, Julia, my partner and wife, but maybe Jesse Nerenberg? He’s really good at Trivia. We would never be bored.
Cymbeline is often classified as a romance. Are you a romantic?
It’s a “romance” yeah, but also it’s a fairy-tale, history play, tragic-comedy, etc. It’s a really experimental play.
My “grand romantic gestures” have evolved from drunken, snow-filled, 3am house calls, to the more muted, but certainly more surprising, like taking Julia out for what we call a “terrific lady day” or cleaning the apartment in Stratford before she gets home from work.
If your character were at Junction City Music Hall, what drink would they order?
Belarius would have something like a stout. He needs to warm up. It’s cold in the forest.
Tell us about your most ridiculous camping experience.
James doesn’t go camping.
What are you most excited for people to see in this production?
It’s such an incredible company, with a tremendous director, so I’m hoping people are impressed, that they find it enjoyable, and that they are surprised and shocked by it. The play is elusive but very rewarding in the end. It’s a play that doesn’t ever lull its audience. It requires a lot of listening and patience.
Plus, many people haven’t seen this play and I love when people go to Shakespeare’s plays and don’t know what the end is.
I’ve discovered that I like playing “old man roles”. I play the sort of mentor or father figure to a bunch of people. It’s nice to settle into that role in my life and career.
Seriously though, I enjoy the language of the play, and I also have discovered how difficult the syntax of this play is. The language doesn’t flow easily or with the expected way, but that’s what is so fascinating about how the characters interact: they must speak in a sort of overreaching rhetoric. It’s kind of like the language that begins a fairy-tale, “once upon a time.” The characters are inundated with metaphor, it’s their currency. How do they use it? Why do they use it? Those are fun questions to explore.
What's your favourite fairy tale?
My favourite fairy tale is Little Red Riding Hood. I think it’s a fascinating allegory of coming of age, but one that is extremely disturbing. The wolf is such a fatal and disturbing character. I’m glad it works out in the end, but I think it’s pretty frightening.
What is your history with Shakespeare BASH'd?
I’m the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Shakespeare BASH’d. It’s been something I’ve put my heart and soul into for 10 years. I’m extremely proud of it, and it motivates me every day.
I think I’m excited to be an actor again, and also an actor who isn’t the main thrust of the story in the play. I’ve been fortunate to play Richard III and Hamlet for the company. Those were dream-like experiences, but also it is so joyful to be a member of this company and work on this amazing play. I like being someone who surprises in the latter half of the play. It’s cool.
If you were running away into the woods, who would you take with you?
Well, Julia, my partner and wife, but maybe Jesse Nerenberg? He’s really good at Trivia. We would never be bored.
Cymbeline is often classified as a romance. Are you a romantic?
It’s a “romance” yeah, but also it’s a fairy-tale, history play, tragic-comedy, etc. It’s a really experimental play.
My “grand romantic gestures” have evolved from drunken, snow-filled, 3am house calls, to the more muted, but certainly more surprising, like taking Julia out for what we call a “terrific lady day” or cleaning the apartment in Stratford before she gets home from work.
If your character were at Junction City Music Hall, what drink would they order?
Belarius would have something like a stout. He needs to warm up. It’s cold in the forest.
Tell us about your most ridiculous camping experience.
James doesn’t go camping.
What are you most excited for people to see in this production?
It’s such an incredible company, with a tremendous director, so I’m hoping people are impressed, that they find it enjoyable, and that they are surprised and shocked by it. The play is elusive but very rewarding in the end. It’s a play that doesn’t ever lull its audience. It requires a lot of listening and patience.
Plus, many people haven’t seen this play and I love when people go to Shakespeare’s plays and don’t know what the end is.