The Wellingtonian interview: The family business of acting

BY JOSEPH ROMANOS - THE WELLINGTONIAN

Miranda Harcourt talks about cold showers, famous directors and skin care.

Wellingtonian: Has having parents so involved in the acting world been a help or a hindrance?

Harcourt: A tremendous help. The name recognition makes such a difference. Also, you grow up in a certain culture, where it's not weird to be away working for four months. And their knowledge of acting has been extremely helpful.

Wellingtonian: Was acting talked about much in the Harcourt household?

Harcourt: It was talked about heaps, that and spelling my father was a spelling nut. I remember in 1969 everyone was excited about the moon landing. That wasn't such a big deal in our house as the original version of King Kong being shown on television. My father was in tears over that. The day Noel Coward died was another big one. Actors visiting New Zealand was always a cause for excitement.

Wellingtonian: Was Bad Blood your first acting job?

Harcourt: That was in 1981. I was still at school. I played a postmistress. My parents had a lot to do with me getting that role. I had an agent and got heaps of work at a young age.

Wellingtonian: You played Gemma on Gloss. Was that a breakthrough role?

Harcourt: It gave me national prominence. It was a bit like Shortland Street now, except it was once a week. In those days there was no TV3 or Sky. Gloss had a remarkable impact. Brideshead Revisited and Gloss were the big programmes of that time. Several careers were launched by Gloss.

Wellingtonian: You also joined the long list of New Zealand actors to appear on Shortland Street.

Harcourt: Yes, I did it for a couple of months. I kept getting in taxis and being asked when Gloss was coming back and whether I was on Shortland Street. It was an interesting time. I was staying with Robyn Malcolm and while I was on Shortland Street, they had to keep letting out my clothes. It turned out I was pregnant.

Wellingtonian: You've done quite a bit of directing, too. What's the attraction?

Harcourt: I enjoy telling a story, rather than being a story.

Wellingtonian: Who has taught you about directing?

Harcourt: There have been lots of influences. Colin McColl, the former director of Downstage has been brilliant. He's with the Auckland Theatre Company now.

Wellingtonian: Is it true that you have a cold shower every morning?

Harcourt: Yes. I'm not a good morning person. I take ages to wake up. So after I've been in the shower a while I turn it to cold. I'm fully awake after that! It's good for your skin, too. That and olive oil from the kitchen.

Wellingtonian: Which form of acting do you most enjoy theatre, television or film?

Harcourt: Film. It's amazing. I haven't done a lot of film, but I enjoy the collaborative aspect of it. It takes 100 people to make a few seconds of good film. It's true that on stage you are baring yourself, and that has challenges, but I enjoy what goes into making film.

Wellingtonian: As an acting coach you've worked with some famous directors, including Jane Campion, Peter Jackson and Gaylene Preston. How have you found them?

Harcourt: Gaylene was brilliant. I worked with her on War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us. I feel very similar to Gaylene. Jane Campion was totally inspirational. You've heard of the horse whisperer well, she's like the actor whisperer. I worked with Peter Jackson on Heavenly Creatures. He's like an amazing painter in that every centimetre of the screen is used. His attention to detail is remarkable.

Wellingtonian: Have you been tempted to have a crack at acting overseas, where acting can be more lucrative?

Harcourt: Not really, though I studied at the School of Speech and Drama in London for a year. It's true there aren't the financial rewards here. You have to be more diverse here than in, say, Los Angeles. You can't be a snob about it in New Zealand. You have to diversify. I never felt the urge to give it a shot overseas. I wasn't that confident. In London I felt there were a million people who offered the same things as me. I've made a choice to live here. I have three kids and can have a home in a nice environment.

Wellingtonian: You taught at Toi Whakaari, the New Zealand Drama School, for seven years. How was that?

Harcourt: Extremely stressful. I love teaching, but I got promoted out of the classroom to acting head of department, involved with policy-making. I prefer to be more hands-on.

Wellingtonian: Did you ever consider moving to Auckland for your career?

Harcourt: We could never live in a house with a view like we have if we were in Auckland. The quality of life is important. Our friends and relatives are here, and the city is so great. It's compact and everything rolls into the centre. The Wellington environment is very supportive of people in my line of work. There's an enthusiastic and supportive artistic community.