Preview: Frost/Nixon
by Karen McLaughlan, Evening Gazette
WHAT have Kenneth Williams, Tony Blair, Brian Clough and Sir David Frost in common?
They’ve all been played on TV, stage or film - in some cases all three - by actor Michael Sheen.
His latest portrayal of a real-life icon is as Sir David Frost in FROST/NIXON, Ron Howard’s riveting movie account of the televised encounters between Frost and the disgraced former US President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.
“Some people have questioned whether something that occurred more than 30 years ago is still of interest, and has contemporary relevance and I would answer Yes on both counts,” says Michael.
“To misquote the late, great American comedian Bill Hicks: ‘Jesus died 2,000 years ago and people are still talking about him’ so, of course, historical events can be pertinent.
“And this was a major historical event, a disgraced former US President admitting his culpability, admitting his part in a cover-up (the Watergate break-in) to a worldwide audience of many, many million.
“It changed the way people perceived our political leaders, it may even have broken the mould as regard respect between interviewer and interviewee.
“And it was truly one of the most historic pieces of television ever broadcast.”
Proof of the project’s relevance to modern audiences can be demonstrated by the success of Frost/Nixon in stage play form at The Donmar Warehouse in London. Michael and American actor Frank Langhella (who portrays Nixon) played to packed houses throughout the 400-performance run.
Not least among the appeals of the drama is the manner in which Michael portrays Sir David Frost, an iconic TV figure for almost 50 years and a true pioneer in areas as varied as investigative journalism (The Frost Report) and satire (That Was The Week That Was).
The portrayal is uncanny and Sir David, an executive producer on the movie, is known to be impressed.
Michael can now add Frost to his portrayals of Tony Blair in TV drama The Deal and movie The Queen, Kenneth Williams in TV biopic Fantabulosa!, and Brian Clough in the forthcoming movie The Damned United about the legendary football manager’s 44-day “reign” at Leeds United. Why so many biopics, though?
“To some extent coincidental, to some extent not coincidental,” says Port Talbot-born Michael.
“Peter Morgan wrote The Deal and The Queen, and he has also written Frost/Nixon, so I am bringing to life the words of one particular writer. And it’s also a simple case of accepting parts.
“When Ron Howard rings you from Los Angeles and says: ‘Please reprise your stage role as David Frost in a movie version of the project’, you just don’t say No!”
