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Monica Barbaro's West End Debut: Flawless British Accent Challenge
2 Mar
Summary
- Monica Barbaro stars in her first play at London's prestigious National Theatre.
- She aims for a flawless British accent for her role opposite Aidan Turner.
- Barbaro recalls collapsing in LA upon learning of her Oscar-nominated role.
Monica Barbaro, recognized for her roles in 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'A Complete Unknown,' is preparing for her first-ever stage performance at London's esteemed National Theatre. This marks a significant shift from her film career as she takes on a role requiring a British accent.
Barbaro expressed a lighthearted concern about her accent, humorously stating she 'had it coming' from British audiences if it isn't perfect. She will star alongside Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner in the production 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses.'
Reflecting on her career, Barbaro recounted the emotional moment she discovered she had secured a role in the Oscar-nominated 'A Complete Unknown.' She described collapsing on her floor in Los Angeles and hiding under a table before calling her agent.
Despite the honor of an Oscar nomination, Barbaro believes it doesn't inherently add more meaning to her work, though she acknowledges it can validate and support a career's infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Barbaro will also star with Callum Turner in the romantic comedy 'One Night Only,' where they play characters seeking love during a uniquely permissive night. She described Turner as being like a 'labrador'—kind, energetic, and fun.
Previously, Barbaro portrayed fighter pilot Phoenix in 'Top Gun: Maverick.' She emphasized her dedication to honoring the real female pilots she researched for the role. Despite the film's massive £1 billion box office success, she noted the immense pressure and skepticism surrounding the 'Top Gun' sequel.
In an interview for PORTER, Barbaro discussed the challenges of her upcoming play, particularly performing a British accent as an American in Britain, stating the accent must be flawless to serve the story.
Separately, the article mentions the BAFTA awards, noting that Timothée Chalamet's film 'Marty Supreme' received 11 nominations but left empty-handed. Robert Aramayo won Best Actor over Chalamet for his role in 'I Swear.' 'One Battle After Another' was the most awarded film, securing six BAFTAs.
