The Independent Sunday (London, England)
The Independent Sunday (London, England); 11/11/2001; Penry-Jones, Rupert
The son of actors, 31-year-old Penry-Jones has starred in `Hilary and Jackie' and Channel 4's `North Square'. He was a tabloid favourite when he dated Kylie.
You've successfully broken into films. So what tempted you back to the low-paid world of theatre with JB Priestley's first play Dangerous Corner?
It is the medium I love the most. The actor has control, and nothing is better than live theatre.
Do you still have aspirations to be the first blond Bond?
Absobloodylutely.
How bothered are you by the tabloids publishing stories about your love life?
It depends what they say.
Did playing a lawyer in North Square ever make you think, "d**n, I chose the wrong career"?
No, I've never wanted to do anything more than what I'm doing. I get to be so many different things.
Rumour has it Wes Bentley is a bit of a prima donna. Did you have any run-ins with the American Beauty actor when you worked on Four Feathers?
No, he was a good friend.
What's the last thing you do before you go on stage to perform?
Have a wee.
Did anything become of the production company you were considering setting up with Jack Davenport?
Jack is doing that on his own at the moment.
You've said that one ingredient for being a successful actor is the ability to flirt. Did you employ that skill acting opposite Cate Blanchett in Charlotte Gray?
No, she is too magnificent to flirt with.
`Dangerous Corner': Garrick Theatre, London WC2 (020 7494 5085), now previewing, opens Wednesday, booking to 6 April 2002. `Charlotte Gray' will be released on 22 February 2002 and `Four Feathers' is due to open on 8 February 2002
COPYRIGHT 2001 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.