Is Olivia Colman Really That Bad at Theatre Acting?
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Synopsis
In a revealing podcast discussion, Olivia Colman candidly shares her struggles with theatre acting, stating she feels 'terrible' at it. Join us as we explore her thoughts and humorous experiences related to the stage that might surprise you!
Key Takeaways
- Olivia Colman struggles with theatre due to her short attention span.
- She humorously shared her experiences of wishing for interruptions during performances.
- Despite her illustrious career, she has only performed in four plays.
- Colman reflects on the challenges actors face in maintaining focus during long runs.
- Her candid admission connects her with audiences who value transparency.
Los Angeles, Sep 10 (NationPress) English actress Olivia Colman, celebrated for her roles in ‘The Crown’, ‘The Favourite’, and ‘Wonka’, has recently expressed her disdain for a particular type of acting that she believes she is quite “terrible” at.
In a recent episode of Dish, Waitrose & Partner's podcast, Olivia joined her co-star Benedict Cumberbatch along with hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett. The discussion shifted to the jobs they found most challenging, as reported by Mirror.co.uk.
Benedict and Angela shared their experiences of working in kitchens, wishing for a fire alarm to interrupt their shifts. Olivia humorously remarked, “I’m like that with most theatre.”
When pressed by Benedict about specific acting jobs, she admitted, “Oh, most plays. I’m terrible! I have a quite short attention span, so doing months of the same words, I struggle with. I’m scared for a long time, and then once the fear finishes, I’m so bored. Which is awful.”
Olivia reminisced about a time when a fire alarm did go off during a performance, and the brief thrill it brought her before realizing she had to return to the stage. “We did one play when the alarm went off, you know, like, yes. And I was out of my costume in seconds. ‘Surely we can’t go back?’ Yeah! But they got us all back on stage. Like, ‘Argh’, and I put my costume back on.”
Surprisingly, Olivia has not participated in many plays. Despite her impressive film and TV resume, she has only appeared in four theatrical productions. Her stage debut was in 2000 as Cathleen in Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night, and she didn’t return to the theatre until nine years later as Philippa in England People Very Nice by Richard Bean. She later played Myra Arundel in Hay Fever and, most recently, Jenny in Mosquitoes in 2017. Since then, she has not taken on any stage roles.
Point of View
Olivia Colman's honest admission about her struggles with theatre acting reflects the vulnerability many performers face. Her candidness not only humanizes her but also resonates with audiences who appreciate authenticity in the entertainment industry.
NationPress
11/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What roles is Olivia Colman famous for?
Olivia Colman is widely recognized for her performances in ‘The Crown’, ‘The Favourite’, and ‘Wonka’.
Why does Olivia Colman dislike theatre acting?
She finds it challenging due to her short attention span and the repetitiveness of performing the same lines for extended periods.
How many plays has Olivia Colman acted in?
Olivia Colman has appeared in only four plays throughout her career.
What was Olivia Colman's first stage role?
Her stage debut was in 2000 as Cathleen in Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'.
What humorous experience did Olivia share about a fire alarm?
She recalled a moment during a performance when a fire alarm went off, and her relief at not having to return to the stage.
