In 2010, Glen took on perhaps his biggest challenge by playing the substantial part of Pastor Manders in Ibsen’s multi-layered play Ghosts while simultaneously making his directing debut. His West End production divided critics, some saying he’d stretched himself too thinly, while others gave it rave reviews. Had the experience given him a taste for directing? “I found it very demanding and hadn’t fully appreciated the difficulty of wearing two hats. But I prepared by knowing my lines outright before starting to direct, as well as having a wonderful assistant director in Amelia Sears and a very talented and accommodating cast. But although I pretended quite effectively, the bottom lime was that I didn’t enjoy the responsibility – there is something superficial about acting in terms of engaging deeply for a short amount of time and then forgetting all about it which suits my personality!”
A pensive moment in rehearsals. Photo: Sheila Burnett
Although Glen admits that “theatre writing is often better – it makes more demands on you as an actor but if you can pull it off it’s very satisfying,” he also says, “I love screen acting too, so I’m very lucky to be able to do both.” He made an impressive start to his film career winning the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 1990 Berlin Film Festival for his performance as the convicted Scottish murderer Larry Winters in Silent Scream (directed by David Hayman), but though he’s made a number of films since then he hasn’t landed the heavyweight leading roles which he performs so well in the theatre. His most recent film was Phyllida Lloyd’s The Iron Lady, where he played Mrs Thatcher’s idolised father Alfred Roberts, a small businessman and mayor of Grantham. What was it like being responsible for Britain’s first female prime minister? He laughs. ‘Well, I suppose I was a role model for young Margaret – she picked up a lot of her principles and beliefs from the way I lived my life!’
On TV, Glen has been rather more prominent – most recently appearing in adaptations of the Irish crime novels Jack Taylor, the MI5 drama Spooks and the HBO medieval fantasy series Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic, not to mention the mini-heritage industry that is Downton Abbey. He says, “No one could have predicted what a massive hit it would become, and I was very fortunate when I jumped on board in the second series. It’s a real ensemble piece – I knew lots of the actors already and it was great fun to work on.” As for the commissioned third series, he can only add that “things are evolving but I’m sworn to silence.”
But it’s in live theatre where Glen has done his best work. And currently you can see him – complete with beard – up close and personal on stage at the Print Room, Notting Hill, where Uncle Vanya runs until 28 April.
For more information and tickets, please visit The Print Room website.
