Nancy Palk says she’s playing the role of a lifetime. The Soulpepper veteran is referring to her latest character, Amanda Wingfield, from Tennessee Williams’ first successful play, The Glass Menagerie. Known for its unique narration and relatable characters, The Glass Menagerie opens at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre tomorrow. We caught up with Palk to discuss her role and why she considers this classic to be the perfect play.
What got you interested in playing Amanda?
If any actress my age read the first page, they would be interested in this role. It’s the perfect play. Everyone can relate to it on some level. It’s poetic; its not just the role, it’s the play. She’s a southern belle with a sense of humor who is living in the depression, trying to make ends meet and take care of her family. She came from an upper class lifestyle and is now living in St. Louis in the Great Depression in a walk-up apartment. There is regret; and she’s been abandoned, so there is heartbreak. Yet, the spirit of survival is just glorious and there’s a sense of optimism and hope in the middle of such desperation. It’s funny and moving and it’s a fantastic part. I’m very lucky to be able to do it in Toronto.
Why is this the perfect play?
It’s not an epic piece. It’s a domestic piece about a family of three. If you’ve ever had a mother, or a sister, or a brother, then you can relate to this play. For me, a perfect play would have to talk about the human condition. It is not too serious; there are lots of laughs. You get to know the characters intimately. There’s generosity on the part of Tennessee Williams for writing each character with all their foibles, and yet their humanity is still intact. It is just beautiful writing.
How did you prepare for the role?
There is this fantastic book called Tom by Lyle Leverich, and it is a biography of Tennessee Williams. So much of it [the play] is based on his own family, though his father never abandoned his family, the mother is based on his own mother and his sister is based on his sister. Tom [a character in the play] is based on himself. To read a biography about him was a real help. Our job is to fend for our own character. We have to stand up for our character, not just for what’s convenient for the play.
What personality traits do you share with your character, Amanda?
If you’re a mother, we love our children, we nag our children. You will definitely see Amanda Wingfield nagging her son. It’s only because she wants what’s best for him. I sometimes feel the same kind of vulnerability that Amanda feels. I don’t know what I would be like if my husband abandoned me in the middle of the depression and couldn’t find a job. This is a woman who will take whatever job she can get in order to try and bring in extra cash. I don’t know how desperate I would be in that situation. I think I would be pretty desperate. I think everybody has a little Amanda Wingfield in them.
What has been your favorite role, and what role would you still like to play?
I have been really blessed and I would hate to put one above the other. Amanda Wingfield is definitely one of them. Now that I’ve played Tennessee Williams, I hope like heck I could play another. Any time someone offers me a Tennessee Williams I would jump at the chance.
The Glass Menagerie, Soulpepper Theatre, July 6-Sept. 10