![]() ![]() When did you know acting was for you? Were there any actors you remember being dazzled by growing up? “When I was selected for the school Shakespeare plays (Whitgift, Croydon, Surrey) I found I had an instinctual understanding of some of the verse and characters. I prefer cold water and a banana! Perhaps that’s why I’ve never been a great singer!” And an apple ready for the odd bite to prevent the sound of ‘lip-smacks’ on the microphone. I gave up smoking when I was 16, which I presume helped a bit! I’m told singers have a glass of warm water standing by in the recording studio for the occasional sip, to keep the throat open and relaxed. You are renowned for your acting, and mellifluous voice – how do you take care of it? Anything you don’t eat or drink? “Well, thanks. Fortunately they didn’t have to deal with the pitfalls of social media.” But in private, the attitudes of differing personalities, points of view, mindsets, jealousies were probably just as bitter, vitriolic, corrosive. Perhaps there was more apparent courtesy offered in political exchanges in those older days. Only perhaps ways of demonstrating attitudes and disunity. Do you follow British politics now? And how do you think this Conservative government compares to the times when Maggie & Ted is set? “How could I not follow current events and policies? Some things never change. I sense he quite enjoyed the pun, even using it himself in public.” ![]() Really this came from the popular television character ‘The Incredible Hulk’. When he lost office others termed him The Incredible Sulk. And how cool and comedic he could be – his television encounter with Dame Edna (which occurs in the play) is a classic. I hadn’t appreciated how lonely a person he was, even early in his political career. I don’t think he ever quite recognised how very alike they were. His comments about Maggie are often extremely funny, though sometimes with an undertow of misogyny and deep disapproval. I’ve much enjoyed discovering, too, how amusing he was. So that’s where I have begun in inhabiting the fascinating, and as I learnt, complex character of Edward Heath. As we withdrew to park ourselves near the door he turned to us and, with immense charm and his familiar widening smile, announced: ‘Thank you so much. With the help of the manageress, Ros and I relinquished ours. He hadn’t booked and he and his eight young musician companions needed a table. He suddenly arrived at a wine-bar/restaurant where my wife and I were dining. I once had the pleasure of actually meeting him. ![]() So if, as ‘Ted’ I ever wanted to question a line or speech in the drama, ie ‘Would Heath ever say this? Michael is likely to reply ‘Well he did, I was there!’ Haha! He has based so much of his play on personal recollections. The author Michael McManus was Ted’s Private Secretary. Very funny! Surprisingly moving at times. Has playing Ted changed your understanding of Sir Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher? And do you think Ted was entitled to his “Incredible Sulk”? “Yes, it’s an extraordinary play. After a varied career in film and television, he has become particularly noted for his voice acting for radio and audiobooks.Q. Martin Jarvis, OBE (born 4 August 1941) is an English actor, voice actor and producer of radio drama. Rosalind Ayres (frequent co-star), Jarvis & Ayres Productions (radio production company) Voice Reading Audiobooks, Voice Acting Radio Martin Jarvis, Martin Jarvis OBE, Jarvis & Ayres ProductionsĪctor and voice actor (139 credits) Miscellaneous Crew (1 credit) Soundtrack (1 credit) Self (36 credits) ![]()
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