Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani, Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Culture.
Bill Nighy’s Unconventional Path to Acting School
Bill Nighy Admits to Stealing Shakespeare Book for Drama School Audition
Bill Nighy, the Oscar nominated actor known for his charismatic roles, recently revealed that he stole a collection of William Shakespeare’s works to prepare for his drama school audition at the Guildford School of Acting. Nighy, now 74, confessed that he took the book to impress a girl, who had suggested drama school as a career path. "She could have said astronaut and I would have given it a shot," he joked, reflecting on his youthful enthusiasm.
In addition to the Shakespeare anthology, Nighy and a friend also stole the complete works of George Bernard Shaw, believing Shaw's plays to be "sort of modern." Laughing about the incident on This Cultural Life, Nighy admitted, “We could have borrowed it like everybody else, but for some reason, we were developing a criminal mentality.”
A Hilariously Misguided Audition
Nighy’s preparation took a humorous turn when he chose two monologues in haste. Sitting in a pub with his friend, he inadvertently learned female roles for his audition. He prepared as Eliza Doolittle from Shaw's Pygmalion and the character Cesario from Twelfth Night not realizing Cesario was Viola in disguise, a woman posing as a man.
The audition panel was visibly perplexed by his choices, and Nighy remembers their “confused” expressions. Nevertheless, he was invited back with a note to bring “more suitable material” and was ultimately accepted into the school.
A Love-Hate Relationship with Shakespeare
While Nighy’s acting career has flourished, his relationship with Shakespeare was never easy. Though he performed The Taming Of The Shrew at the Gateway Theatre in Chester and King Lear alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins at the National Theatre, he ultimately chose to step away from the Bard’s works. “I retired from Shakespeare sometime after that,” he remarked. “I understand he’s the greatest poet the world has ever known, but the performance of it I will leave to other people.”
Despite his unconventional start, Nighy has crafted a memorable career, from his recent Oscar-nominated role in Living to his two professional Shakespeare productions. His story serves as a lighthearted reminder that sometimes, breaking a few rules can set the stage for an unexpected path to success.
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