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7 February 2011
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Strange - Richard Coyle stars as John Strange with Ian Richardson and Samantha Janus

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Strange | Interviews | Tom Baker
Playing the part

Tom Baker Picture What's it like playing a blind character?

It's terribly interesting because quite often I can't bear the sight of the people around me, so it's quite helpful, and other times it's quite difficult because it makes you realise how important your eyes are for decoding what other people are saying. It isn't always a tone of voice when people are talking to you, but seeing a twinkle in an eye, or a wink or whatever.

Did you do any practising at home?

No, I don't need to do any practising at home because in the next scene my eyes will be made up horrifically, and then, I will be blind so I won't be able to move very well, but one closes one's eyes.

Are there any special techniques to playing blind?

I was trying to remember the way David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, who is blind, doesn't always look straight at the source of a sound. It's interesting that, the way he moves his head slightly, and so I copied that. That's all I did, and a bit of practice with my stick, and I did try to learn the geography of the set.

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Video Clips
VIDEO CLIP:Father Bernard Could you describe your character?
VIDEO CLIP:Playing the part What's it like playing a blind man?
VIDEO CLIP:Practise makes perfect Did you do any practising at home?
VIDEO CLIP:Playing blind Did you use any special techniques?
VIDEO CLIP:Habit forming How does it feel to be playing a monk?
VIDEO CLIP:Keeping the faith Which vows would you find it hard to keep?
VIDEO CLIP:Tailor made Playing a part especially created for him.
VIDEO CLIP:Future plans Any more Randall and Hopkirk or Strange?
VIDEO CLIP:All-weather acting How has the filming been?
VIDEO CLIP:Regret nothing What's the biggest rejection you've had?
VIDEO CLIP:Feel the fear In real life, what's your greatest fear?
VIDEO CLIP:Final say Do you ever practice your final last words?
VIDEO CLIP:Time Lord advice Any advice for Richard Coyle?


 

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