She has had an extensive career on stage, film, and television which began in the mid1950s. The pair showed a few early clips of the film, in one of which an imperious and determined maggie smith explains the rationale. Tom rothmans tristar productions has teamed with bbc films to greenlight the lady in the van starring downton abbeys maggie smith. Brooklyns saoirse ronan, alicia vikander, and brie larson have also been nominated. A consistently tremendous force on the stage and screen, smith has been in showbusiness since the 1950s and not once has she faltered with an abysmal performance. Maggie smith, alan bennett, director nicholas hytner, alex jennings and producer kevin loader attend the london film festival press. Maggie smith says her starring role was a relief after the rigours of playing lady violet in downton abbey.
Maggie smith in alan bennetts the lady in the van first. Based on the true story of miss shepherd played by a magnificent maggie smith, a woman of uncertain origins temporarily parks her van in alan bennett s alex jennings london driveway. The dialogues between the writerauthor and the everyday person alan bennett are superfluous, confusing and boring. Dame maggie smith is all through with corsets cbs news. Truth is stranger than fiction in this comedydrama based on the reallife tale of a homeless woman named miss shepherd maggie smith, who parks her van in the driveway of a house owned by playwright alan bennett alex jennings and lives there for 15 years. Feb 04, 2016 the lady in the vans maggie smith shines as homeless woman. Maggie smiths four seasons at stratford festival never.
Dec 24, 2016 with over 60 years of acting to her name, dame maggie smith is a national treasure. Maggie smith is often seen as austere, but most often she plays comedy. The star plays a homeless pensioner in the big screen adaptation of alan bennetts west end play lady in the van. During a multidecade career, she won academy awards for the prime of miss jean brodie 1969 and california suite 1978, and she appeared in the popular harry potter films and the tv series downton abbey. It stars dame maggie smith at her irascable best, who already made this part her own in the successful stage version. Jun 03, 2014 tom rothmans tristar productions has teamed with bbc films to greenlight the lady in the van starring downton abbeys maggie smith. Shes brilliant and funny as miss mary sheperd the homeless woman who moved her camper van into writer alan bennetts drive for three months, in the 1970s, and ended up staying 15 years. The lady in the van press conference in full maggie smith. Dame maggie smith, 80, who made her stage debut at just 17, is full of surprises as her career has boomed once more in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Bbc video has released maggie smith at the bbc, a decidedly mixedbag, threedisc compilation of four television dramas starring the incomparable maggie smith. The lady in the van not the carer clip starring maggie. In the film of the lady in the van, smith inhabits miss shepherd so. Maggie smith wheels up for awards glory in the lady in. The interview largely focused on maggie smiths comedic roll as homeless woman named mary shepherd, living in a van parked in.
These days dame maggie smith, a veterans of stage and screen, is best known for her role in tvs downton abbey. In fact, the book is mostly about maggies acting career. The lady in the van by nicholas hytner maggie smith, dominic. The lady in the van is the movie adaptation of alan bennetts the madness of king george, the history boys play about a certain miss shepherd, a woman who genuinely did come and live in a van on his front driveway for 15 years. The lady in the van had no friends, but she did have a neighbour, and that.
Nov 08, 2015 maggie smith reluctant to watch lady in the van updated sunday, 8 nov 2015 18. Maggie smith lady in the van charlotte henley babb. Every bit as formidable as her character on downton abbey, dame maggie smith gives a rare and spiky interview to 60 minutes. But she also has a new movie out, the lady in the van, about a character far. She talks to jessamy calkin about downton, loneliness and her latest role in the lady in the van this piece was. Next article interview with director corin hardy on the hallow and.
When it comes to best actress, dame maggie smith for the lady in the van is up against cate blanchett. The film is inspired by the true story of the homeless woman who lived in a van in the driveway of the celebrated author alan bennett for 15 years. In 1974 an elderly and eccentric miss mary shepherd parked her van in. Dame maggie smith will be eighty later this year, but in my old lady she is playing ninetytwo. Maggie smith shines in lady in the van, by playwright alan bennett david stratton geza rohrig in a scene from son of saul. Next article interview with director corin hardy on.
So is his complicated relationship with his mother. The true story of a woman living in her van, in a parkway of a writer, during 15 years. The pic is an adaptation of alan bennetts west end hit. Review of books, then later a short book, the lady in the van. Playwright alan bennett tells the unlikely but true story of a the homeless woman who parked her van in his driveway and lived there for 15. The good thing about watching a slow movie is that it gives me time to think. A biography and a poster for the film the lady in the van. With over 60 years of acting to her name, dame maggie smith is a. Over the course of her stay, the two form a unique friendship. Maggie smith, in london in december, has reprised the role of miss. Maggie smiths remembrance of alan rickman in new npr.
If you have been around long enough you are an icon more famous than ever thanks to downton abbey. Alan bennett has been one of englands leading dramatists since the success of beyond the fringe in the 1960s. The play premiered in 1999, directed by nicholas hytner and starring dame maggie smith, who reprise their roles in this new film adaptation. She transcends simple description and conveys a multifaceted realness that makes her hard to encapsulate on paper. The lady in the van stars recent harry potter regular maggie smith in nicholas hytners adaptation of alan bennetts 1999 black comedy based on. Dec 27, 2015 dame maggie smith is all through with corsets. Dame maggie smith, a twotime oscar winner, recreates one of her most celebrated roles the singular miss shepherd in tristars the lady in the van, alan bennetts bigscreen comedic. First observe the face, with its sharp, artdeco angles, which she tends to stretch. Maggie smith interview the lady in the van premiere subscribe to red carpet news. The lady in the van tells the true story of alan bennett alex jennings, the queen, an english playwright, and his unlikely friendship with the homeless woman who lives on his street in her characteristic yellow van. Dec 10, 2015 most fortunately for the late miss shepherd, shes played by dame maggie smith in the lady in the van, based on bennetts memoir, which became in 1999 a stage play starring smith and, now, the. Wonderful maggie smith as the cranky homeless miss shepherd. Oct, 2015 maggie smith, alan bennett, director nicholas hytner, alex jennings and producer kevin loader attend the london film festival press conference of the lady in the van.
It was weird to film the lady in the van in my old. Rocca informed dame maggie smith that the interview would air the day before her birthday. Smith has appeared in more than 60 films, and is one of britains most recognisable actresses. Although the lady in the van cant help but be a maggie smith production, jennings delivers a wise, delightful turn as an artist whose motivations arent entirely cynical, but arent. Maggie smiths four seasons at stratford festival never forgotten. Nov 22, 2015 i cant think of anyone who could play the lady in the van better than maggie smith. By graham fuller in the novemberdecember 2015 issue. Maggie smith biography and filmography maggie smith movies. Dame maggie smith has had a long and illustrious career to be sure.
Smith is excellent as the homeless woman who parked her camper van in. Alan bennett alex jennings nicholas hytner theatre interviews. Maggie smith rules in the lady in the van filmtv the. She talks to jessamy calkin about downton, loneliness and. Maggie smith looks frail and old as she begins filming the lady in the van dame maggie smith looked worlds away from her role as violet crawley as she filmed scenes for her latest movie this week. This piece was originally published in november, 2015 in the late 1960s, a bedford van in unruly condition turned up in gloucester crescent, north london. Maggie smith at the bbc the merchant of venice, the. Smith rescues nicholas hytners film the lady in the van from the confectionery uplift that otherwise might have swallowed it. Maggie smith films lady in the van alongside james corden daily mail online. The difficult and mysterious miss shepherd, played by maggie smith, in her erstwhile stage role. Maggie smith shines in lady in the van, by playwright alan. In the lady in the van, maggie smith homesteads in.
Nov 12, 2015 we loved maggie smith s performance in alan bennetts the lady in the van and we present an exclusive look behind the scenes. During their 15 years together the writer observed miss shepherd, and in 1999 dame maggie smith portrayed her in the hit west end play, the lady in the van. The story of the lady in the van is very interesting and touching. Maggie smiths return for stratford festival gala on sept.
Downton abbey fame spotlights maggie smith cbs news. The lady in the van is the third film nicholas hytner has made from an alan bennett screenplay having first directed bennetts stage version. Oct 02, 2016 maggie smith is one of my favorite actresses, but i watched her last weekend in one of the slowest movies ever shot. Review of books memoir about the haughty, cantankerous homeless woman. Maggie smith interview the lady in the van premiere duration. The lady in the vans maggie smith shines as homeless woman. Dame maggie smith becomes street beggar in new bbc drama. We loved maggie smiths performance in alan bennetts the lady in the van and we present an exclusive look behind the scenes. Oct 17, 2015 dame maggie smith, 80, who made her stage debut at just 17, is full of surprises as her career has boomed once more in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Well, the fact is she excels at high drama and, as suzie mackenzie discovers in a rare interview, shes. The lady in the vans alex jennings on maggie smith. Maggie smith interview the lady in the van premiere youtube. Downton abbeys maggie smith fondly recalls leonardo dicaprio kissing her. The 79yearold is long way from downton abbey when she gets picked up by an ambulance in the show, based on alan bennett.
Maggie smith as the eccentric mary shepherd in the lady in the van. The lady in the van, with maggie smith as its eccentric. Nov 17, 2015 the film is inspired by the true story of the homeless woman who lived in a van in the driveway of the celebrated author alan bennett for 15 years. Dame maggie smith becomes street beggar in new bbc drama lady in the van. But he doesnt, so maggie smith gets top billing while jennings gets to push the. Shaw play that was also a 1972 play of the month offering. Jan 12, 2016 60s dish maggie smith says, that was never me it must be lovely to be beautiful, but thats a really difficult thing to lose, says smith, now 81. Stage and screen actress maggie smith was born in essex, england, but. If youve heard anything about the lady in the van, you wont be surprised to hear that i think maggie smith is fucking fantastic.
Alan bennett includes three stories in the lady in the van and other stories. A man forms an unexpected bond with a transient woman living in her car thats parked in his driveway. Downton abbeys maggie smith fondly recalls leonardo. Maggie smith stars in lady in the van, reprising her role from the alan bennett and nicholas hytner stage production. In the new trailer for director nicholas hytners new drama. In the lady in the van, maggie smith homesteads in the driveway.
With over 60 years of acting to her name, dame maggie smith is a national treasure. Most fortunately for the late miss shepherd, shes played by dame maggie smith in the lady in the van, based on bennetts memoir, which became in 1999 a. Jennings as alan bennett with maggie smith in the lady in the van. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Maggie smith looks frail and old as she begins filming the lady in the van. Maggie smith plays mary shepherd and alex jennings plays writer alan bennett in the lady in the van. Beloved british cultural giants go headtohead well, bumpertobumper in new comedydrama the lady in the van. Maggie smith is the lady in the van thats not my age. Maggie smith and alex jennings in the lady in the van. The lady in the vans maggie smith shines as homeless.
His work includes the talking heads television series, and the stage plays forty years on, the lady in the van, a question of attribution, and the madness of king george iii, since made into a major motion picture. New featurette for maggie smiths the lady in the van. Unlike the madness of king george 94 and the history boys 06, its ostensible focus is a womanthe emotionally troubled, unwashed indigent with delusions of grandeur who, sleeping initially in. Jan 21, 2016 although the lady in the van cant help but be a maggie smith production, jennings delivers a wise, delightful turn as an artist whose motivations arent entirely cynical, but arent. Details and more details about the play or movie or other professional work, including other actors and their comments, and delving into particular scenes and how they are acted.
Maggie smith and alan bennett are the two spearheads of nicholas hytners. Its taken 16 years for alan bennetts play the lady in the van to make it to the big screen, but the film capitalizes on the attention afforded its star, maggie smith, as her role as. Maggie smith sinks her choppers into a showy new role as a transient british woman in the factbased the lady in the van. In recent interview, he clearly stated that during the time the van was. Maggie smith shifts from dowager to down and out for the lady. The interview largely focused on maggie smiths comedic roll as homeless woman. The lady in the van by nicholas hytner maggie smith. You want so much to get it right known for her recent work in downton abbey and the harry potter films, the oscarwinning actress now stars in the lady. Oscarwinning actress maggie smithstarrer the lady in the van is set to have an awardqualifying release this december. The lady in the van and other stories bennett, alan on. Maggie smith, in an interview, said of the filming. Maggie smith cracks jokes at lady in the van premiere. Smith has been promoting her newest movie, the lady in the van. Sunday read meet the real lady in the van and listen to an.
Now a major motion picture starring maggie smith, alan bennetts famous and heartwarming. His other books include the critically acclaimed collected writings untold stories and writing. Jan 21, 2016 its taken 16 years for alan bennetts play the lady in the van to make it to the big screen, but the film capitalizes on the attention afforded its star, maggie smith, as her role as. More to maggie smiths lady in the van than meets eye. She talks to jessamy calkin about downton, loneliness and her latest role in the lady in the van. You want so much to get it right known for her recent work in downton abbey and the harry potter. New trailer shows maggie smith in alan bennetts the lady in the van its not being released until november, but the highlyanticipated first trailer of the lady in the van starring. Feb 24, 2016 smith has been promoting her newest movie, the lady in the van. During a multidecade career, she won academy awards for the prime of miss jean brodie 1969 and california suite 1978, and she appeared in the popular harry. Maggie smith is one of my favorite actresses, but i watched her last weekend in one of the slowest movies ever shot.
The lady in the van by graham fuller subscribe to the magazine maggie smith originated this worldclass eccentric on stage, played her on the air, and is the movies star. Feb 23, 2016 maggie smith on the pressures of acting. Programs include the 1972 play of the month production of william shakespeares the merchant of venice. Buy the lady in the van by alan bennett from waterstones today. Maggie smith will play miss mary shepherd, an eccentric woman of uncertain origins in the lady in the van. In an interview with the telegraph for his 80th birthday, bennett. The three are very difficult although they all of course are flavored with the authors wit that is wry, subtle and delicious as.
The film by the same name, and with smith in the lead once again, was released in the united kingdom on november, and will come to south africa in december this year. As part of the variety and aarp movies for grownups screening series, alex jennings talks about portraying alan bennett in the lady in the van and what it was like to work with maggie smith. Downton abbeys maggie smith fondly recalls leonardo dicaprio. Alan bennett and nicholas hytner on the lady in the van. Oct 23, 2014 dame maggie smith as homeless lady in the van. Margaret natalie smith was born in ilford, essex, on 28 december 1934. Maggie smith is outstanding in the lady in the van the. Dame margaret natalie smith ch dbe born 28 december 1934 is an english actress. I cant think of anyone who could play the lady in the van better than maggie smith. She doesnt court publicity, does few interviews, and never joined the. Jun 03, 2015 beloved british cultural giants go headtohead well, bumpertobumper in new comedydrama the lady in the van. More to maggie smiths lady in the van than meets eye, or. Maggie smith, english stage and motionpicture actress noted for her poignancy and wit in comic roles. Tristar productions teams with bbc films on maggie smiths.