Gary Oldman: A Theatrical Icon Returns to York’s Theatre Royal
It’s been 46 years since Gary Oldman made his professional stage debut at York’s Theatre Royal. Returning to the venue last week for Samuel Beckett’s one-man play Krapp’s Last Tape, the 67-year-old English actor is a world removed from the young upstart once advised by Rada to do something else for a living. According to a report by The Guardian, Oldman’s return to the stage is a testament to his enduring legacy as a thespian.
In the intervening four decades, Oldman has steadily become one of the greatest actors of his generation, whose versatility and intense performance style have earned him numerous accolades, including an Oscar, three Baftas, and a Golden Globe. Today, he is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, with a worldwide box office total of over $11bn. As noted by The Guardian, his performance as Jackson Lamb, the cantankerous manager of a team of defunct spooks in the Apple TV+ spy drama Slow Horses, has solidified his status as a national treasure.
Oldman’s portrayal of Lamb has drawn praise from audiences and critics alike, with his character’s appeal lying in his fallibility. As described by Will Smith, the Emmy-winning creator and showrunner of Slow Horses, “Jackson Lamb’s character arc is all in the backstory. He’s not going to change or develop; we’re looking at a burned-out wreck of a man.” Smith further noted that Oldman’s ability to convey Lamb’s complexity is a testament to his skill as an actor, stating, “Because Gary is such an extraordinary actor, he can convey that vast hinterland with the narrowing of his eyes or a shift in his posture.”
Born in New Cross, south-east London, in 1958, Oldman’s early life was marked by difficulty. His father, Leonard, was a welder and former sailor who left the family home when Oldman was seven. The teenage Oldman, a diehard Millwall fan, was initially drawn to music but gravitated towards a career in acting after seeing Malcolm McDowell on stage. As reported by The Guardian, he began studying with the Young People’s theatre in Greenwich while working odd jobs as a porter and a shoe shop assistant.
Oldman’s early career was marked by a string of notable performances, including his portrayal of Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy (1986). His dedication to his craft was evident, with John Lydon describing his performance as “bloody good.” As noted by The Guardian, Oldman’s subsequent roles, including his portrayal of the playwright Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and a football firm leader in The Firm (1989), cemented his reputation as a talented young actor.
In the 1990s, Oldman’s career gained momentum, with notable performances in films such as Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula (1992) and Luc Besson’s Léon: The Professional (1994). His portrayal of corrupt and violent characters earned him a reputation as Hollywood’s “psycho deluxe.” As reported by The Guardian, Oldman’s Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the spy George Smiley in Tomas Alfredson’s 2011 adaptation of John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy marked a turning point in his career.
Oldman’s subsequent performances, including his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour, earned him widespread critical acclaim. His transformation into the wartime prime minister required 200 hours in the makeup chair, 14 pounds of silicone rubber, and $20,000 worth of Cuban cigars. As noted by The Guardian, Oldman’s Oscar win for his performance was hailed as “massive” for people from working-class backgrounds.
In recent years, Oldman has continued to appear in a range of films, including Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope. However, it is his performance in Slow Horses that has solidified his status as a national treasure. As noted by The Guardian, his co-star and showrunner Will Smith described Oldman as “a truly transformational actor, a once-in-a-generation talent, an intuitive genius with an incredible work ethic and a disarmingly generous spirit.”
As Oldman takes to the stage each night in Krapp’s Last Tape, he is reconnecting with his past and carrying “the sense of an older man in conversation with his younger self.” With his return to York’s Theatre Royal, Oldman is reminding audiences of his enduring legacy as a thespian. As reported by The Guardian, his performance is a testament to his skill and dedication as an actor, and it is clear that Gary Oldman’s star is as bright as it ever was.
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