RSC Friends

Photograph by Manuel Harlan

A warm and enthusiastic welcome, from a near to capacity crowd, greeted Phil Davis at this popular Friends event. Phil came across as a modest and self effacing man despite his remarkable achievement in being an actor for 46 years with many lauded performances to his credit.

Phil’s passion is for new writing in television, film and theatre. He had worked with great avant garde directors such as Joan Littlewood and Mike Leigh. He expounded on some of the techniques employed in method acting and explained how this enabled him to develop greater depth and originality in his work.

Phil acknowledged that he is mostly known for portraying villains which he believes are more interesting than romantic leads. He relishes in the description of on one critic that; ‘no one winces like Phil Davis!’

Phil is currently playing Scrooge in Christmas Carol. He explained that he wanted to get beyond the name, a euphemism for hard hearted miserliness and create something human, more than a caricature. It was interesting to hear how he prepared to go on stage by rehearsing an expression , or a way of standing. He revealed that the National Portrait Gallery often provided inspiration for the creation of a character.

A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting afternoon session.