Having made a career out of playing the most iconic baddies on earth (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Bond, Harry Potter and Dr Who to name but a few) it is therefore a surprise to find that Julian Glover is particularly gentle in real life, and a delight to interview.

“I always say you need to be awfully nice to play baddies, because it’s a matter of plausibility,” the 77-year-old agrees. “If you are a baddie with a hook or one eye you don’t have a chance, but I play ‘normal but flawed’.

For example in Indiana Jones I was a man who risks everything to find the secret of eternal youth, and who knows what you or I would do under the circumstances?

“In Bond I was driven by a philanthropic desire to send my protegee to the Olympics.

“So playing baddies is just the way it worked out. I’ve never been someone who planned their career or had so many offers they could pick and choose. “And I’ve never been what they call a ‘star’, so it’s been more of an adventure,” he says, “...it’s what came along.”

What came along are the kind of Hollywood film credits that would have most A-listers weeping in envy.

The irony that his latest TV blockbuster series Game Of Thrones, currently airing on Sky, coincides with his current theatrical turn in Maurice’s Jubilee only reiterates how flexible this stalwart actor is.

The fact that he is enjoying his regional tour as much as his global fame, is further testament to his domination and dedication to all things acting. And yet Julian Glover is astonished he’s still working. “I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to be in plays like this at my age... although I’m young for the part at 77,” he laughs.
“Plus, as this is about a man fixated with the Queen; I’m not even a baddie!
“But it’s a marvellous play – it’s terribly funny but at the same time very moving – bittersweet you could say. I’ve always been a bit of a royalist and I knew Prince Charles quite well because he loves Shakespeare so comes to Stratford a lot. But this has put the lid on it,” Julian says.
Still working flat out, Julian’s ardent work ethic shows no sign of abating: “When I’m not working my wife says my head goes down because I’m not doing the thing I feel I’ve been put here to do. I can’t sit around doing nothing! She always says ‘Julian can’t you sit and look at the wall for a bit or something,” he laughs. “But it’s good to have something to look forward to – and I hope I’ll continue being offered parts when I’m 90 years old.”

That would be a good run considering Julian was treading the boards at school. “Yes, it was a Gilbert & Sullivan opera which gave me stars in my eyes. Until then I was a shy boy who suddenly found himself able to communicate – and that was a wonderful feeling and such an adrenaline rush,” he remembers. “My parents were quite relieved actually – they had a 15 year-old son who knew what he wanted to do.”
Three years at the RSC followed, introducing Julian to Shakespeare, an enduring love affair that his seen him play leads in all but two of the Bard’s works, between blockbusters.
And now here he is, starring in the biggest TV series of 2013. “Game of Thrones was
suggested by my agent and I said ‘yes I’ll do it,’ but it wasn’t until we got there and saw the fantastic sets and costumes that we got an inkling of how big it would be. So I’m not bad at backing horses, but I don’t pick them, they pick me,” he says.
Julian Glover could of course be talking about any of the enormous film franchises he’s hitched his cart to over the years, “I know, I wish we had royalties because I’d be a very wealthy man,” he laughs.
“Although we didn’t know with Star Wars: it was only the second film and no one knew how big it would be back then.”
And Bond? “For Your Eyes Only was a delight to do and I was thrilled to be part of it, plus we filmed in some lovely places like Greece. Although wherever you are, you’re still working, so you get up, go into make-up and think where are we? In a forest, a desert, by the sea or at Pinewood?
“It’s after work where things can be fun and you all get together for a drink.”
Flitting effortlessly between films, theatre and TV, Julian is at ease in all genres. “I like doing films because when they are done you can’t improve them, even if you were awful, so there’s a nice feeling of completion which you don’t get in theatre. While being on stage is both mentally and physically challenging because you have to be the best you can be – getting the part right is the important thing.
“So although I’m not 21 any more or a regular at the gym, I manage – touch wood –  and can still remember my lines. Theatre is the thing that keeps me alive and as Oxford is our last week, I want to go out with a bang,” he promises.

 

Mauriece's Jubilee is at Oxford Playhouse from Monday to Saturday.

Box office: 01865 305305 (oxfordplayhouse.com)