Patti LuPone: I don´t need to see film actors on stage

Patti LuPone has lashed out with some harsh criticism aimed at Uma Thurman over her Broadway debut, saying that some film stars should stay away from the stage.

The West End and Broadway legend, who is currently set to return to London for a revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Company, delivered some scathing opinions on the state of modern theater at the launch, including some choice words about Hollywood stars.  

‘I don’t necessarily need to see film actors on stage, because they can’t,’ she said. ‘Not in my country they can’t.

Not one to hold back: Broadway legend Patti LuPone has hit out at unqualified Hollywood stars taking to the stage in a recent interview

Not a fan: LuPone singled out Uma Thurman (center), exclaiming about her run in The Parisian Woman (pictured) 'Holy s***! I'm sorry, I'm sorry'

Not a fan: LuPone singled out Uma Thurman (center), exclaiming about her run in The Parisian Woman (pictured) ‘Holy s***! I’m sorry, I’m sorry’

Opening up: Broadway actress Patti LuPone, with Company co-stars Rosalie Craig and Mel Giedroyc

Opening up: Broadway actress Patti LuPone, with Company co-stars Rosalie Craig and Mel Giedroyc

‘Can I just say, Uma Thurman in The Parisian Woman, anybody see it? Holy s***! I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

‘I’m not sure there is a stigma any more (about film actors doing theater), perhaps there should be.’ 

She later added: ‘I have to qualify that – there are a lot of film actors that have made their career in film that come to the stage and are brilliant.’

The Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award winner went on to mention Chris Evans and Michael Crea, who are currently starring together on Broadway in Lobby Hero, along with British actress Bel Powley. 

Moving on: Thurman's Broadway debut run started in November last year and concluded last month after a 17-week run

Moving on: Thurman’s Broadway debut run started in November last year and concluded last month after a 17-week run

Hits: While LuPone wasn't a fan of Thurman's, she did mention Michael Cera and Chris Evans (pictured in Lobby Hero, currently on Broadway) as successfully transitioning to the stage

Hits: While LuPone wasn’t a fan of Thurman’s, she did mention Michael Cera and Chris Evans (pictured in Lobby Hero, currently on Broadway) as successfully transitioning to the stage

‘Chris Evans has never been on Broadway before, he’s making his Broadway debut. The stage presence, the command, the diction was incredible, but then there are people for some reason who feel they need to come to the stage and I don’t know why, because they don’t have the theatrical ability.’

She continued: ‘It’s hard work, so I want you to understand that I have nothing against Uma Thurman, but you want those people to come to the stage for the right reason and that is to honor the stage, honor the theater and not be in for themselves, and I’m not saying that Uma was.’ 

Speaking about casting a Hollywood star who might not be equipped for the part, she added: ‘You also lower the standard, and that seems to be happening in the world with everything.

‘We are not answering to our nobler instincts, and so I don’t want to be compromised that way. I don’t want it in my life, in my entertainment, I want to be elevated.’

On and on: LuPone added that Hollywood stars who aren't equipped for the stage 'lower the standard' of the theater

On and on: LuPone added that Hollywood stars who aren’t equipped for the stage ‘lower the standard’ of the theater

Making a statement: She also revealed that she doesn't do standing ovations, saying that they have become 'cheap' over the years

Making a statement: She also revealed that she doesn’t do standing ovations, saying that they have become ‘cheap’ over the years

LuPone also criticized the regularity of standing ovations and said she stays seated in protest.

She said: ‘Ovations are cheap in America; it’s almost as if they stand because they have spent so much money.

‘It’s almost as if, “I’ve spent this money, I’m forced in my head to think it’s good and I’m going to stand to cement it, because I’ve spent that much money”.’

She added that she had stayed seated after watching the Olivier-winning play The Ferryman the previous night, even though she thought it was ‘fantastic’.

She said: ‘I don’t stand. In protest, I stay seated. I am in protest of standing ovations, I stay seated and I’m just making my point. It’s too cheap to stand now.’

However, she added: ‘I stood for Hamilton, I flew out of my seat for Hamilton.’



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