Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Saturday, 5 Sep 1992 18:05:33 CDT
From: <U16028@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.misc
Subject: Patrick Stewart interview

The following interview, by Mary Jo Griffith of the Orange County Register,
appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Saturday, Sept. 5, 1992 issue.
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Somehow when actor Patrick Stewart casually compares the role of captain
on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to royalty, it doesn't seem
farfetched.

"I've often said that sitting in the captain's chair of the Enterprise
is rather like sitting on the throne of England," he says.  "And
probably marginally more important."

After all, this Shakespearean actor turned "Star Trek" icon made
headlines in July when he was chosen "most bodacious man on television"
by a poll of TV Guide readers.  In a field of 10, Stewart garnered 54
percent of the vote, a mandate many politicians can only dream of.

As any futurist knows, Stewart is moving into his sixth season as Capt.
Jean-Luc Picard on the popular syndicated series "Star Trek: The Next
Generation."

Last week, Stewart journeyed from deep space at the Paramount sound
stage, where he's busy filming "Next Generation," to make a rare
appearance at Creation's Salute to "Star Trek" and the Worlds of Science
Fiction at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Stewart said "Star Trek" conventions are "a unique opportunity for the
actors to make contact with their audience -- which in television is
very rare -- to talk with them about what we're doing.  It is also for
me a marvelous opportunity to get back onstage again.  In effect, it's
90 minutes of standup routine in front of a live audience.  And I enjoy
that very much."

Perhaps no one is as surprised as Stewart that the role of Picard has
grown to fit him as snugly as a Starfleet uniform.

"I can no longer now discern a connection between Patrick Stewart
leaving his dressing room and Jean-Luc Picard walking onto the set.  The
man has become so ingrained for me and such a lot of me has gone into
him, and much of what he stands for and what he believes in represents
my own beliefs and opinions."

On the down side, Stewart said, "After 5 1/2 years, not every episode,
not every scene can be utterly exciting and different.  Clearly we're
going to be going over familiar territory."

As his alter ego Picard, Stewart never leaves the comfortable confines
of the Enterprise.  Off the set, however, Stewart's career appears to be
fueled by high-octane dilithium crystals.

During his stint on "Next Generation," the veteran stage actor and
member of the Royal Shakespeare Company has spent weekends and many a
hiatus pursuing other artistic outlets.

Stewart stepped behind the scenes to direct two episodes of "Next
Generation" and will direct a third in a few weeks.  He won the role of
Daddy Warbucks in "Annie Goes to War," the film sequel to "Annie," due
to start filming in Europe next spring.  Even as his professional
universe continues to expand, Stewart remains loyal to the stage.

"I started directing in the theater, an activity that I think is going
to take up a fair amount of my time in the years ahead.  We are, of
course, in the final contract year of 'Next Generation' and it's
uncertain as to whether our involvement with the series will continue."

Stewart confirmed that he has discussed a "Next Generation" film with
Paramount.


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Sorry for any typos that I didn't correct.

Terry