I still suffer terribly from stage fright. I get sick with fear. Not every night, but at the beginning and on occasion - not necessarily when I'm expecting it. You just have to cope with it - take it on the chin and work through it, trying to use the adrenalin to perform.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the struggle of dealing with fear, particularly stage fright, and emphasizes the importance of coping with and channeling that fear into performance.
In this quote, Helen Mirren candidly shares her experiences with stage fright, illustrating that even seasoned performers can encounter fear and anxiety before facing an audience. She acknowledges that this fear can be unpredictable but emphasizes the necessity of confronting it head-on and utilizing the adrenaline it produces to enhance their performance, turning a potentially negative experience into a source of energy and motivation.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to encourage artists to embrace their fears.
There is that awful moment when you realize that you're falling in love. That should be the most joyful moment, and actually it's not. It's always a moment that's full of fear because you know, as night follows day, the joy is going to rapidly be followed by some pain or other. All the angst of a relationship.
People often ask me whether I prefer theater or film, and the answer is that I prefer the one I'm not doing: The grass is always greener.
I've been working every year since I started acting, and I got many awards before I won the Oscar for 'The Queen.'
I don't like the word 'strong,' because a strong character is never an interesting character. A character is made interesting by their vulnerabilities and their weaknesses.
I believe kids shouldn't be taught Shakespeare. They should experience it first by seeing a great production.
I am in a fabulously lucky position in that I get to wear beautiful, beautiful gowns for functions, which I can then give back. That way, they're not sitting in my wardrobe with me looking at them and feeling guilty. I love that, and I think when people have a fabulous function to go to, I'd recommend renting.
Although the power is lacking, the will is commendable.
As a kid growing up, I didn't want to tell any of my classmates I did figure-skating because I knew they'd be like, 'Oh, you're a skater, you're gay, blah blah blah.' So I kept it to myself. Once I started getting to more of an elite level, I didn't really care what people thought, though.
Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.
I grew up in a culture in which it was a sin for a woman to speak out.
Every time I tell my story, I feel that I am taking some power away from the terrorists.
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.
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