Lydia Leonard

Lydia Leonard, starred as 'Jackie Kennedy' in Onassis at the Novello Theatre

Date of Birth?
5th December 1981

Place of birth?
Paris, France.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Bristol Old Vic Theatre school

Briefly tell us how you became involved with ONASSIS
I met with Nancy Meckler to audition for the part.

Briefly tell us about Jackie Kennedy whom you play in Onassis
She was married to JFK and then Aristotle Onassis, she is an international style icon whose image is instantly recognised and copied all over the world, and yet she maintained a very private personal life. She guarded her image and her privacy with intense control and almost singlehandedly created the myth of Camelot. And for all these reasons and more I find her fascinating.

Your first stage performance?
Herod in the school nativity. Or profesionaly Polyxena in Hecuba for the RSC.

What roles would you most like to play?
I'm not fussy.

What's the best advice you've ever received?
Happiness comes from taking risks.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
Falling flat on my face in Time and the Conways at the National Theatre.

What is the most annoying part about your job?
The not working bits inbetween.

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
I would have liked to go into Law.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be?
Jackie Kennedy

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favourite authors?
The last book I read was 'Me talk pretty one day' by David Sedaris. I like Ian Mcewan, Margaret Atwood

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favourite movies?
'I'm still here'. I loved it. Sunset Boulevard, Night of the Hunter, Toy Story 1,2and 3

Favourite TV programs?
Brothers and Sisters, Rev.

What are your future plans?
I think I'm doing a french film, which I'm quite nervous about as my french is quite rusty!