Maisie Smith is going to try a spicebag. She will be spending a week in Dublin with the tour of The Talented Mr Ripley.
VIP Magazine catch up with her ahead of the show coming to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in March.
Here we chat about her time on EastEnders, her plans for her time in Ireland (including a spicebag!) and how to make an iconic character your own.
Hi Maisie! Welcome to Dublin! Obviously, we know that you’re comfortable in front of the camera. But what is the difference between that and being on the stage?
They’re so different. I actually can’t pick a favourite. I think that’s what I love about my job that I get to do both. I love the intricate details of doing TV. But one thing that I love about theatre is that I get to perform the same show for a long period of time. And we get to see where it brings us from beginning to end. Our first opening night to now is such a different vibe. It’s nice to hone in on one performance for a long period of time.
You played Tiffany on EastEnders for a huge chunk of your life. Did the pace of the soap prepare you for being on the stage?
Yeah, probably. I don’t think anything can prepare you for touring; it’s a lot of hard work. [Laughs] But when you’re doing your dream job it’s just worth all the hard work.
You play Marge, who has previously been portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Fanning. How do you make your version of Marge unique?
I specifically try not to look at other portrayals. They’re both some of my favourite actresses. But I just have to focus on the script in front of me. I can take Marge in my own way. I think if I ended up watching the film or the series, I would subconsciously imitate or get references. I try to keep Marge as my own interpretation. I feel like there’s no right or wrong.
How fun is it to play Marge?
She’s fun. It’s a really exciting part; she’s very, very smart. She’s great with her words. It’s set in the fifties and she’s a posh American. It’s so different from me, even the way she walks and stands, everything is a choice. She’s so integral to the story. She brings a warmth and a realness to, what could be a very cold story. For that time, she’s very, very progressive, empowering woman.
Putting aside the film and the TV show, the book is so beloved. So is there pressure to bring this beloved character to life?
I think…yeah. There’s always pressure. Even if it hadn’t been adapted before, I would still feel an immense amount of pressure to do her justice.
What will audiences be most surprised by when they come to see The Talented Mr Ripley?
I think what is most surprising is the way we act out certain scenes. We act out Tom Ripley’s thoughts. If he’s not sure how a situation will go, we act out all the alternative endings. So there’s a lot of “cut, reset, action,” in the show. It’s such an interesting watch, and it’s really different. It’s quite thrilling to watch.
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That must be so fun!
Yeah! I love those bits, they’re some of my favourite parts of the show. All of us, as an ensemble, are on stage together acting our sceanarios that don’t actually end up happening in the story. It’s fun to get to pretend that they do!
What are your plans for when you come to Dublin?
We were told to go to the beach and the mountains. So, apparently, I’m going to do a trek in the mountains, maybe, on one of my mornings off! Get lost! I hear there’s something called a spice bag…That’s something I’m really interested in trying! I’m so lucky because the cast that I’m with is really lovely! We have our own group chat, so every time we go somewhere new, someone puts in a suggestion of what to do. So I’m sure every day will be jam-packed with tourist activities.
Before we let you go, what advice would you give Marge?
Go with your gut! Listen to that voice that is telling you, “He is not right!” Go with your heart! Go with your gut, girl!
The Talented Mr Ripley comes to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 10th – 14th March. Find your tickets here.