How a Clowning Class Transformed My Life

Born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in 1991, Tanya Reynolds achieved her big break with Channel 4’s “Sex Education,” playing Lily Iglehart, a teenage writer of alien erotica. Since then, she has taken on diverse roles, including in Autumn de Wilde’s film adaptation of “Emma” and Sky Atlantic’s “The Baby.” Earlier this year, she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Olivier Award for her role in Sam Holcroft’s “A Mirror” at the Almeida Theatre. This month, Reynolds stars as Licisca in “The Decameron,” a medieval black comedy adapted from Boccaccio’s short stories, premiering on Netflix.

Reynolds’ character in “The Decameron” is a servant who undergoes a significant transformation. On Instagram, she described her character with the words: “Don’t fuck with her.” She mentions, “I love her! She’s fundamentally a good person but has been mistreated all her life. She decides to live her life however she wants, unshackled from any restraints. It was so much fun to play that role.”

Despite the show’s setting during an outbreak of bubonic plague, Covid-19 wasn’t a significant topic on set. Reynolds explained, “Strangely, it didn’t come up. Many of us are trying to block out that time from our memories. If anything, we took inspiration from the insanity that surfaces during an illness no one knows how to handle. Early on, my character sticks flowers up her nose to ‘block out the pestilence.’ I had to do that for my audition, on a self-tape at home!”

Reynolds reflects on the increased presence of women in the TV industry, stating, “Zosia Mamet and Saoirse-Monica Jackson working together was a masterclass. I started my career just as #MeToo was happening, and it felt like the industry was suddenly much more interested in female voices. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible female creatives, like in ‘Scenes With Girls’ at the Royal Court, and more recently with Alice Lowe on her new film, ‘Timestalker’.”

She admires Lowe’s multifaceted role in “Timestalker”, commenting, “Watching her direct and write with such calm energy was amazing. It made me believe that directing is something I could potentially do one day.”

Known for her physical comedy, Reynolds recalls, “I didn’t know I was funny growing up. We had a clowning class at drama school, and I judged it initially. But once I put that red nose on, something clicked. My face and movements elicited laughter, which I hadn’t realized before. That clown class changed my life.”

Discussing financial challenges, she notes, “I only started getting theatre roles after ‘Sex Education.’ I attended one of the few drama schools offering scholarships – the Oxford School of Drama. It’s tough since acting schools typically attract people from high-income families. I was also the first in my family to attend university. Initially, I felt out of depth but managed to persevere with the support of friends.”

Her parents’ pride is evident, “They’re so proud of my achievements. My dad’s a builder, and my mum, a signwriter and artist, also does some cleaning. My lifelong dream was to be a working actor without needing a side job. Having achieved that, I often pinch myself, and so do they.”

The experiences from “Sex Education” stayed with her, especially one humorous memory, “I remember going to Cardiff just to record one line with Ncuti [Gatwa]. On the train home, I kept thinking, ‘Did I say it wrong?’ It was a dramatic moment for me.”

She praises Ncuti Gatwa’s success as the new Doctor in “Doctor Who”, enthusing, “It’s fantastic! He is a wonderful person, and it’s great to see good things happen to good people.”

Reynolds frequently shares her favorite books on Instagram. Currently, she recommends, “‘The Sea, The Sea’ by Iris Murdoch. I needed some maturity to appreciate it fully. ‘The Vegetarian’ by Han Kang was also fantastic, as was ‘The New Life’ by Tom Crewe. I’d love to play the wife in its adaptation, although I might be too young.”

Her love for travel stands out, “The best place acting took me was Rome for ‘The Decameron.’ My dad’s Italian, so it felt special, even though I spent the last three weeks there on crutches after breaking my foot. Top tip: Don’t look at your phone while walking downstairs.”

Addressing misconceptions about actors, she clarifies, “Many think we’re extroverts, but most of us find solace in acting because it allows us to be other people. I’m more comfortable in a role than being myself. I’m not great at the red carpet stuff, but my amazing team at the Oliviers made me feel beautiful, even if I preferred to be in pyjamas!”

Source: The Guardian