The 5-Minute Interview: Henry Goodman, Actor
'If you're going to spit, target it well'
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Your support makes all the difference.Henry Goodman, 56, who won an Olivier Award for best actor in Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Assassins', and for his role as Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' in 2000, is starring in the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' at Sheffield Theatres.
My role as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof...
It's a phenomenal role. As you can hear from my rumbly voice it comes deep from the soul. It needs the depth and the fun. It's great because it has the range of humour as well as the pathos.
If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...
In a steam room getting relaxed and relaxing my voice. I think steam rooms should be available everywhere. They're great for when you're performing and singing musicals, to relax the muscles and voice.
The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was...
Fainting on stage. I was playing Groucho Marx [at the theatre] and filming a TV series playing a policeman. I became exhausted. I was loping around as Groucho Marx does, making jokes at half naked girls. I got to the second act and fell to the ground. It was dramatic and exciting. I came round and continued with the show.
A phrase I use far too often is...
I often say "just a small point" and actually it's something hugely important or radical.
I wish people would take more notice of...
Architecture. The look of the physical environment and taking care of it.
I'm not a politician but...
I'd make use of learning from the rebels in English history like Thomas Paine. Unassuming people that achieved huge impact on the culture and were cynically forgotten and reviled.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:
Tevye says: "If you spit in the air it lands in your face." If you're going to spit or get angry, make sure you target it properly so it doesn't land in your face.
Elisa Bray
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