What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:21 am

Final call: intimate moments of actors backstage

For the last 25 years, top actors – from Colin Firth to Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett to David Tennant – have allowed theatrical photographer Simon Annand into the private sanctums of their dressing rooms, capturing them as they prepare to go on stage. This series focuses on the final 30 minutes before curtain-up, known behind the scenes as 'the half': a time for sinking into character, touching up makeup – or having a Diet Coke break.

guardian.co.uk, Friday 17 February 2012 14.06 GMT

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:22 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Tilda-Swinton-003

Tilda Swinton in Mozart & Salieri at the Almeida theatre in 1989. 'Live performance is a unique, handmade piece of work, which is created in front of you and cannot rely on another take… The performer is therefore very exposed and there is something endlessly romantic and heroic about it,' says Annand. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:26 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Matt-Lucas-004

Matt Lucas taking some last-minute refreshment before going on to perform in Les Misérables at the Queen's theatre in 2010. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:29 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Cate-Blanchett-008

Cate Blanchett in Plenty at the Albery in 2000. 'To photograph actors when they are "getting into character" is to see them at their most photogenic as you can see why they have been attracted to this particular thrill of becoming another,' adds Annand. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:31 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage David-Tennant-005

David Tennant in an RSC production of Sheridan's The Rivals at the Barbican theatre in 2000 – a few years after he first joined the company, and long before he became a household name. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:34 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Amanda-Holden-009

Amanda Holden in Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2011. These images are all about preparation – whether it's touching up makeup or taking a last breather. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:37 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Kevin-Spacey-006

Kevin Spacey in Richard II at the Old Vic in 2005. Dressing rooms become the 'ephemeral space each actor will call home' where their negotiation into character takes place, says Annand. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:39 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Colin-Firth-002

A (surprisingly young) Colin Firth in The Lonely Road at the Old Vic in 1985, readying himself for battle. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:42 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Kelly-Brook-007

Kelly Brook in Calendar Girls in 2009 at the Noel Coward theatre. Photograph: Simon Annand

eddie Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:45 am

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage Daniel-Radcliffe-001

Daniel Radcliffe in Equus at the Gielgud in 2007. Annand shows the conflicting emotions of anticipation and nerves once 'the half' has been announced. Photograph: Simon Annand

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What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage

What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage

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Re: What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage

Re: What actors look like in the half-hour before they go on stage