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Article: The Thursday Interview: Derek Jacobi - The emperor's new role Four decades at the top of his profession have done nothing to curb Derek Jacobi's dramatic ambitions. Brian Viner is granted an audience
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- February 14, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Heaven knows, it seems absurd to pigeonhole Sir Derek Jacobi, who,
in that time-honoured phrase, is one of the finest actors of his
generation. Yet whenever I think of him, he is wearing a toga and
fighting a stammer. I ask whether he has ever thought of the 1976
television series I, Claudius as a burden.
"No, I think most actors rather enjoy having a role they are
identified with," he says. A twinkle enters his eye. "And it's not as
if I could get typecast. There are not too many stuttering, limping,
twitching emperors around."
We are talking in the handsome offices of London Weekend
Television. In an adjacent screening-room, others are being shown the
first two episodes of The Jury, a ...