Felicity Kendal Returns to Stoppard's 'Indian Ink' with Poignant Emotion
The Hampstead Theatre is set to stage a revival of Tom Stoppard's 1995 play Indian Ink, with Felicity Kendal reprising her role as Eleanor Swan. The actress, who previously starred alongside Stoppard in the original production over three decades ago, has spoken candidly about her return to the play.
Kendal describes playing Eleanor as a challenge, noting that "at first glance, it is effortless but it's actually super complex". She emphasizes that there was no script for the 1991 radio version of Indian Ink, and Stoppard would often rewrite scenes on the fly. Kendal believes this improvisational approach allows actors to tap into their own style and rhythm.
Kendal explains that the play explores themes of identity, creativity, and mortality, all set against the backdrop of India in the 1930s. She notes that Stoppard's depiction of colonialism is biting, yet nuanced, drawing parallels between his own experiences living in India to those of Eleanor Swan.
While Kendal admits she doesn't recall many specifics from her original performance due to the dynamic nature of rehearsal and improvisation, her co-star Ruby Ashbourne Serkis recalls that Kendal served as a mentor for her character Flora. The two actresses have taken turns sharing their experiences working with Stoppard, both past and present.
The play itself has undergone revisions over the years, including by Kent's hands before his passing. Despite this, the show's message remains intact – about how art transcends time and mortality, allowing the artist to live on through their work.
This revival is set to bring new life to a 1995 classic that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of wit and emotional depth. With Kendal at its helm once again, Indian Ink promises to deliver a poignant and powerful performance that will resonate deeply with theatergoers.
The Hampstead Theatre is set to stage a revival of Tom Stoppard's 1995 play Indian Ink, with Felicity Kendal reprising her role as Eleanor Swan. The actress, who previously starred alongside Stoppard in the original production over three decades ago, has spoken candidly about her return to the play.
Kendal describes playing Eleanor as a challenge, noting that "at first glance, it is effortless but it's actually super complex". She emphasizes that there was no script for the 1991 radio version of Indian Ink, and Stoppard would often rewrite scenes on the fly. Kendal believes this improvisational approach allows actors to tap into their own style and rhythm.
Kendal explains that the play explores themes of identity, creativity, and mortality, all set against the backdrop of India in the 1930s. She notes that Stoppard's depiction of colonialism is biting, yet nuanced, drawing parallels between his own experiences living in India to those of Eleanor Swan.
While Kendal admits she doesn't recall many specifics from her original performance due to the dynamic nature of rehearsal and improvisation, her co-star Ruby Ashbourne Serkis recalls that Kendal served as a mentor for her character Flora. The two actresses have taken turns sharing their experiences working with Stoppard, both past and present.
The play itself has undergone revisions over the years, including by Kent's hands before his passing. Despite this, the show's message remains intact – about how art transcends time and mortality, allowing the artist to live on through their work.
This revival is set to bring new life to a 1995 classic that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of wit and emotional depth. With Kendal at its helm once again, Indian Ink promises to deliver a poignant and powerful performance that will resonate deeply with theatergoers.
30 yrs later & Felicity Kendal's still got it! 
I'm kinda excited about this revival of Indian Ink, gotta say. Felicity Kendal is an amazing actress & it's great to see her revisit a role she originally played 30+ years ago 
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Interesting that Felicity Kendal is reprising her role in Stoppard's Indian Ink after all these years. It's awesome that she's bringing her own style and rhythm to the character, and it's cool that Ruby Ashbourne Serkis has a new perspective on her experience working with Stoppard. The way the play explores identity, creativity, and mortality is so thought-provoking 
. I'm definitely excited for this revival and seeing how Kendal's portrayal of Eleanor Swan will differ from her original performance 
. I also love how Stoppard's play tackles those big themes of identity, creativity, and mortality in such a nuanced way 
. Can't wait to see this revival on stage! 
Her experience playing the role all those years ago is truly inspiring, and I love how she's saying that it was a challenge because it felt effortless at first but is actually super complex 
. And can we talk about Stoppard's genius for incorporating his own life experiences into the play? 
The way he explores themes of identity, creativity, and mortality in this 1930s India setting is just so thought-provoking 
. I'm also loving the bond between Kendal and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis – they're like two peas in a pod! 
but i loved her energy in indian ink especially how she brought this super complex character elizabeth swan to life 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Felicity Kendal is an amazing actress, but do we really need another chance to watch the same play? Can't they just leave it alone? 
! She was always meant to play that role, I mean Stoppard wrote it for her, right? 
I loved the way she spoke about the improvisational approach, it's like she's still got that magic spark 
. The themes of identity, creativity and mortality are so relevant today 
. I'm defo going to be at this revival, can't miss it! 
i'm definitely going to have to grab tickets ASAP 
. and i'm loving that Kendal is sharing her own experiences of working with him, she seems like such a talented & dedicated artist 
. I just hope they don't mess it up this time...
Plus, what if the revival doesn't bring anything new to the table? 
Ugh, I'm so torn! 