Brian Cox recalls the time he worked alongside Tom Stoppard on his play 'Rock'n'Roll', a production that brought together two vastly different worlds, Czech culture and 1960s England. The play revolves around the real-life story of the Plastic People of the Universe, a psychedelic band banned by the communist government in Czechoslovakia.
The experience was both fascinating and intimidating for Cox, who played the role of Max, a Marxist academic. He had been following Stoppard's work for years, having attended performances of 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' and 'Arcadia', which were also directed by renowned theatre figure Trevor Nunn.
What struck Cox about Stoppard was his unwavering clarity and purpose in his writing. He knew exactly what he wanted to say and wouldn't be swayed from that message, even if it meant not fully fleshing out his characters. This approach often left the actors feeling somewhat limited, but also challenged them to rise to the occasion.
Despite Stoppard's reserved nature, Cox describes him as "always charming" and possessing an air of elegance. This was a trait that he carried with him throughout his career, from the early days of 'Rock'n'Roll' to later productions like 'Arcadia'.
The play itself was well-received by audiences in London and New York, thanks in part to its thought-provoking themes and Stoppard's masterful storytelling. But what made it truly special was the presence of Václav Havel, the former Czech president, who attended a performance alongside notable figures like Timothy Garton Ash and Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour.
For Cox, working with Stoppard was an unforgettable experience that not only pushed him as an actor but also deepened his appreciation for the playwright's unique perspective on life. As he reflects on those moments from his past, it is clear that Stoppard's legacy continues to resonate, inspiring new generations of artists and thinkers alike.
The experience was both fascinating and intimidating for Cox, who played the role of Max, a Marxist academic. He had been following Stoppard's work for years, having attended performances of 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' and 'Arcadia', which were also directed by renowned theatre figure Trevor Nunn.
What struck Cox about Stoppard was his unwavering clarity and purpose in his writing. He knew exactly what he wanted to say and wouldn't be swayed from that message, even if it meant not fully fleshing out his characters. This approach often left the actors feeling somewhat limited, but also challenged them to rise to the occasion.
Despite Stoppard's reserved nature, Cox describes him as "always charming" and possessing an air of elegance. This was a trait that he carried with him throughout his career, from the early days of 'Rock'n'Roll' to later productions like 'Arcadia'.
The play itself was well-received by audiences in London and New York, thanks in part to its thought-provoking themes and Stoppard's masterful storytelling. But what made it truly special was the presence of Václav Havel, the former Czech president, who attended a performance alongside notable figures like Timothy Garton Ash and Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour.
For Cox, working with Stoppard was an unforgettable experience that not only pushed him as an actor but also deepened his appreciation for the playwright's unique perspective on life. As he reflects on those moments from his past, it is clear that Stoppard's legacy continues to resonate, inspiring new generations of artists and thinkers alike.
he had this super clear vision for his plays, which is kinda intimidating but also really admirable at the same time. it's like stoppard knew exactly what he wanted to say and wasn't afraid to speak truth to power - even if it meant leaving some characters a bit one-dimensional 
i think that's why his work still holds up today, people are always drawn to his unique perspective on life 
Brian Cox talks about Tom Stoppard like he was a saint or something... always so calm & collected 
I mean, I get it, the guy was a genius, but come on, Stoppard's writing can be super dense & hard to follow at times... like, didn't Cox have trouble keeping up? 
Still, you gotta respect the man's vision & commitment to his craft 
, and then to think he was doing it with brian cox, what a combo 
... but for real though, rock'n'roll sounds like this amazing play that brought together so many different worlds, czech culture and 60s england, i love how stoppard's writing just cuts through the noise, you know? 
it's all about making a point, even if it means being a bit brutal on his characters... but hey, that's what makes art great, right? 
. anyway, i think what's coolest about this story is how it shows us all how art can bring people together, even if they're from different worlds... just gotta respect stoppard for being true to himself, you feel? 
, his ability to tackle complex themes like communism and free expression is mind-blowing... and yeah I get it what he means with leaving characters underdeveloped, but that's also what makes the writing so bold & fearless 
, when Brian Cox talks about working with him I'm reminded of how some actors can't handle a director who pushes them outta their comfort zone 
, Stoppard's work is all about challenging your mind and not playing it safe... I need to re-watch 'Rock'n'Roll' ASAP 
. It's like he took two completely different worlds - Czech culture and 60s England - and just... merged them into something weirdly awesome, I guess? But what really gets me is how Stoppard would basically ignore his actors' performances to stick to his own vision. Like, you can just imagine Brian Cox being all nervous and stuff on set 
, trying not to mess up Stoppard's plan.
I think it's so cool how Brian Cox had this intense experience working with Tom Stoppard on 'Rock'n'Roll'. It sounds like Stoppard was super focused on his vision and that actually pushed the actors to be their best, even if it meant not getting as much backstory for their characters. 
I love that he's always remembered Stoppard's elegance and charm – that's gotta make working with him a real treat! 
i can imagine how intimidating it must have been for Brian Cox to work alongside Tom Stoppard, but at the same time, it's amazing that he was able to rise to the occasion 
i love how Václav Havel and other notable figures were involved in the production too, it just goes to show how impactful this play was 
- Brian Cox and Tom Stoppard teaming up is like a match made in heaven 
, he seems like a really cool guy. The way Cox reflects on his experience with Stoppard just shows how much respect he has for the playwright 
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. Tom Stoppard's play 'Rock'n'Roll' was more than just a quirky look at the Plastic People of the Universe – it was a clever Trojan horse for the Czech government's own propaganda machine 
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. You don't get to be that famous and influential without being more than just charming and elegant... there's something behind the scenes, trust me 
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. but stwoppard's writing tho... he knows exactly wut he wants 2 say & wont b swayed from his msg even if it means not fully fleshin out his characters 
. Don't get me wrong, I love the tech and everything, but sometimes I feel like we're losing that human touch that made theatre so magical in the first place 
... I mean, 'Rock'n'Roll' is still pretty cool, but sometimes I wish we had more experimental works out there right now 
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. Those were the days, you know?
Stoppard's writing style is so unique, it's like he knew exactly what he wanted to say and wouldn't back down 
. It was intimidating for Cox to work with him but also super inspiring 
. And can we talk about Václav Havel being part of the audience? Mind blown! 
What an unforgettable experience for Cox, it's amazing how Stoppard's legacy continues to inspire new artists and thinkers 
i wish I could've seen that in person. Stoppard's legacy is def still alive and kicking 