ON THE COVER Getting To Know… Helen Mirren
Dame Helen reflects on her introduction to theatre, her new film role – and a fortune teller’s advice
◆ My family name was Mironoff as my father was born in Russia. When I started researching my Russian background I discovered that a Russian ancestor of mine actually created one of the very first theatres in 17th century Russia.
◆ I think the fact I’m half Russian is probably something to do with me being an actor in the first place. I think there is a soulfulness about Russians and an introspection that I think lends itself to acting. People think of actors as being extroverts but in fact they are not. Mostly they are introverts, introspective people.
◆ Growing up, we didn’t have television at home and we never went to the
cinema or theatre because we couldn’t afford to. My first exposure to the arts was being taken by my mum to see an amateur production of Hamlet in our local theatre. I was about 14, a wonder ful time to be introduced to Shakespeare. At that age, you are a sponge and also you are so full of imagination and dreams and desires. It transported me into this extraordinary world – that was what pulled me into the idea of drama, of entering into a world of imagination.
◆ A palm reader once told me I’d have my greatest success after the age of 40. I thought, “I can’t wait that long!” I was 22! However, from the minute I started work really, I never stopped working. And I had a certain kind of success in Britain. But the sort of international success didn’t come until after I was 40.
SURPRISE SUCCESS
HELEN PLAYED DETECTIVE JANE TENNISON IN PRIME SUSPECT FOR 15 YEARS
ROYAL ACCOLADE
HELEN WON THE BEST ACTRESS OSCAR IN 2007 FOR HER PORTRAYAL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II IN THE QUEEN