The Many Layers of Yve Blake: Stage Mother, Creme Brulee, and Skywalker
Behind the scenes of 'Mackenzie,' a bold reimagining.
In a recent interview, Yve Blake, the director of the new play 'Mackenzie' —a Shakespeare reboot casting Lady Macbeth as a stage mother—shared a series of personal insights and professional experiences. Here are the highlights.
Favorite Fictional Villain
Blake cited Ursula from Disney's The Little Mermaid as her favorite villain, praising the character's independence and business acumen.
Overrated Shakespeare Play
Blake considers Hamlet overrated, citing its length and the contemporary irrelevance of its protagonist's introspection.
Recurring Artistic Reference
The Rocky Horror Picture Show was noted as a recurring influence, which Blake aimed to channel in Mackenzie.
Lessons from Colleagues
From Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer on Colin from Accounts, Blake learned to create a joyful, inclusive workspace that fosters diverse comedic voices while maintaining precision.
Advice to Aspiring Artists
Blake values the advice to "Be yourself, everyone else is taken," emphasizing that authenticity is a key asset in film and television.
Personal Characterization
"I am a creme brulee."
Blake described herself as a "creme brulee," citing layers and complexity.
On-Set Incident
During a performance of Calamity Jane, Blake accidentally shattered a glass globe above the audience with thrown candies, an incident that was resolved without incident.
Most Used Emoji
The "melt" emoji was Blake's most used, favored for its dual meaning of attraction and overwhelm.
Embarrassing Artistic Moment
As a student, Blake took walk-through character roles at fundraising events, often distracted by calculating rent while performing as Anna Karenina.
Habit to Break
Blake identifies social media addiction as a habit to break, finding the creative process of Mackenzie a helpful distraction.
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