Since childhood, Meryl Streep has been surrounded by music, dreamed of becoming an opera singer, at the age of twelve began to take singing lessons. Then she became interested in acting. In twenty-two years (it's terrible to think, it was in the distant 1971!!) She made her debut in the theater, and in 1977 first appeared on the screen.
When was the first time an interesting actress became interested in music? - My father was a pianist. In other words, he was actually a businessman, but he always wanted to be a musician. He published several of his songs and wrote a musical together with his friend. His passion was romantic ballads. My mother and I often sang with him under the piano. Once I asked my mother: "If you were not completely occupied with the role of my mother, what would you like to be?" She said that she would become a singer. Mom always sang at home, she knew the words of all the songs of the 1930s and 1940s. My parents were both great music lovers. They also fell in love with each other for the piano. They were not young. When I was born, my father was forty, my mother - thirty-five. Then it was considered unusual, and now - the norm.
How did Meryl Streep begin to love the group "ABBA"? I always loved her. But I thought this music was dance. And my friends and I did exercises and exercises under them. But I first heard ballads only in the musical "Mamma Mia" in New York. It was after September 11 (well-known events), and I was trying to figure out what to do with my daughter and her friends. Seven parents of students from my daughter's school died. And of course, the children were very depressed. And by the end of the musical children, who at the beginning of the day were so quiet and depressed, were bouncing on the seats! And opposite us, elderly ladies danced in the aisle. I was impressed by the power of the musical, I just fell in love with him. I thought it was a great medicine for the soul and spirit.
How did the spectacle Mamma Mia act personally on the outstanding actress Meryl Streep?
As the mother of three daughters, I was amazed at how through the song you can tell a story. They managed to record all the important steps that are taking place with the parents. It turns out that this whole path is a succession of farewells: from the wires to the kindergarten to parting, when the grown-up children are already leaving to sleep in hostels in Greece ... This was also the case with me in 1975. True, I did not fall in love with Hydra in anybody, but the girl with whom I traveled fell in love. In the American sailor, who turned out to be a crook ...
Do you think that Greece has changed since then? - Upper, in the northern part of the Aegean Sea, it is luxurious, all in lush greenery. You inhale the smells of thyme and lavender, olive trees and pines ... I always knew that Greece is a fabulous place for sunbathing. And most importantly - people here are uniquely affable. They are so warm! During the filming, we practically occupied this small town, and the Greeks did not mind at all! They brought us fresh fish from their boats, put directly on the tables ...
Was it difficult to sing and dance the distinguished actress Meryl Streep in a musical?
Nobody asked me before to do all these things in the cinema, so I gladly agreed. It's great when a new film requires something new from you! Usually, acting is very limited. You're sitting at the table. You open the door. Someone enters. You ask a question. They answer you. It's much more interesting here! I never could imagine how exciting it is: climb the wall of the building and sing a song at the same time.
A twine in the movie you really did?
Of course! I did not have a double. I did it instinctively.
Was it noticeable that for Phyllida Lloyd this is a director's debut that she does not have experience? - Never. She is a very competent director. There is nothing more difficult in the world than managing an orchestra and an acting team. A woman is particularly difficult, because it is necessary, among other things, to tell men what to do. It does not really like the "strong sex". We all loved her. - Is it true that many songs for the film you recorded from the first take? - Yes it is. I think it's because the group saw: if I repeat three or four times, it will just wear me out. Actually, I like to shoot everything from the first take. - Have you ever wanted to record your own music album? - No, I never aspired to this. And anyway, I'm one of those girls who prefer to sit and wait for them to be invited ...
Daughters of the outstanding actress Meryl Streep, probably, were delighted with the fact that my mother was shooting with ex-James Bond - Pierce Brosnan? "My daughters do not follow the Bond films." They were much more concerned about how I would look in a tight spandex, and how this would affect their reputation in school. And they ... did not appreciate the style of my singing. I guess I'm not the only person who sings at home, and his children are shouting: "Stop, please!". Even if my children know that I'm rehearsing, they still do not want to hear it. When they were younger, it seemed strange to them. When your parents are famous, their talent takes up too many rooms in the house.
Outstanding Meryl Streep would participate in another musical?
Of course! But this requires a beautiful script, actors and songs. All the components should be in order - as was the case with "Mamma Mia!". This is the most fun adventure of all that has happened to me lately. Every morning I happily went to the shooting, and by the end of the day I was put on a cart and taken away, like the scenery. I was terribly tired. I have never slept so well as during the filming. And when I got up, I was happy to go to work again, which is not so often the case. We worked on wear and tear. I think that this film really brought something very kind to the world. For my part, this is a contribution to the future.