A FEW cuts and bruises
are par for the course for any actor but avoiding being clobbered in
the midst of a series of sword fights whilst on stage is currently
uppermost in Jonathan Bonnici's mind.
The Bermondsey-based
actor is one of the stars of a new play, Holy Warriors, a
kaleidoscopic tale of war and bloody revenge that spans continents
and centuries and which opens at the Globe on July 19.
Written by David
Eldridge it takes in Richard the Lionheart’s third crusade, Hamas
suicide bombings, the Roman army and George W Bush - and as you would
expect there are plenty of fierce battles to recreate.
"It's a huge
swashbuckling epic and really exciting," enthuses Jonathan. "We
are opening soon and so we are in the final stretch - it's at that
stage where there is a mix of nerves and excitement that builds as it
all comes together!"
We chat as Jonathan
takes a well-earned break from rehearsals and it's clear he's
enjoying his first season at the Globe.
"I love it here
and this is a great production to be part of," he says. "It's
exhilarating, interesting, fascinating and there is a real energy
about it that we are all really enjoying.
"I love all the
swashbuckling that goes on," he adds. "The choreography is
really important but you still have to be careful because it's easy
to become complacent and then accidents happen. I've been caught a
couple of times but it comes with the territory.
"I remember at
drama school getting hit all the time - once I ended up with a hole
in my cheek during a sword fight training session and it really
hurt."
Sword fights and
injuries aside the 31-year-old says the play is an entertaining
"swipe through history" with a serious message.
"It centres around
the third crusade with Richard the Lionheart," he says. "It
starts when he went over to the Holy land and met Saladin and it
explores their relationship and the battles they had.
"Their struggle is
used to talk about the whole history of western intervention in the
Middle East.
"It is fascinating
because it asks some interesting questions about history repeating
itself. And of course it's very timely with all that's happening in
the region at the moment.
"It shows how much
western influence is bound up with the experience of the Middle East
and how much of a concern it is."
Jonathan plays
Al-Afdal, son of Saladin and he says in developing his portrayal of
the character he looked in part to the relationship with his own
mother for inspiration.
"Al-Afdal's like a
child in many ways because he's very headstrong. However, he's also a
war monger and is constantly pushing and encouraging his father to
engage in bloody battles with the invaders while Saladin is telling
him to calm down and shut up.
"Al-Afdal tells
his father he is stupid and has no technical ability to fight a
battle and that he has lost control, is not fit for power and needs
to change strategy.
"In dealing with
the character I thought about how when they are growing up children
think they know everything and tell their parents what to do - I was
no exception!" he laughs.
"Sometimes with my
mum I feel I know best and tell her what she should do. She
constantly disputes that of course because I don't.
"But it's
interesting how kids sometimes think they know better than their
parents when really they have no idea because they've not had that
life experience - so I'm channelling a bit of that feeling."
Holy Warriors is the
second play Jonathan is in as part of this current Globe season - he
is also in Antony and Cleopatra - and he says the ability to have fun
and interact with the audience is one of his favourite things about
being on the Bankside theatre's stage.
"The Globe is a
big old stage but I love it!" he says. "It's a very special
place - they look after us and there is always a really buzzy
atmosphere. There is so much support especially with all the voice
and movement people so it's a fantastic place to be.
"It used to feel
very intimidating as the audience is on every side and there is
nowhere to hide. If you are standing on stage with the audience
looking at you you can feel exposed.
"To begin with it
was a bit nervewracking but now I've got used to it I love the eye
contact and interaction you can have with the audience - that's what
makes live theatre so special."
And he says theatre is
where his heart lies.
Indeed it was an
outdoor production directed by a family friend that Jonathan saw when
he was nine which inspired his love of Shakespeare and set him on his
chosen career path.
"I was just
entranced by the whole thing," he remembers. "It was a
production of Taming Of The Shrew and I just thought the language and
storytelling was amazing.
"I love film - I'm
fascinated by it and would like to do more in the future but there is
something special about the immediacy of theatre, the fact anything
could happen on any given performance and that you can interact with
the audience and ad lib a bit. It's great."
For the time being
though he says he's very settled at the Globe although he admits
being in Holy Warriors can be exhausting. However he has found a way
to deal with it.
"I live in
Bermondsey near the Finnish Church and there is a sauna there which
not many people know about," he says.
"It's a proper
Scandinavian sauna so it's quite brutal," he adds chuckling.
"But after all the running and leaping about on stage and
fighting battles it's great to go and let the steam get rid of all
the aches and pains!"
Holy Warriors is at the
Globe from July 19 until August 24. Tickets from £5. Visit
http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/ or call the box office on 020 7401
9919
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