A Special Interview with Anne Françoise Elisabeth Lange
By: Sara Imit Renalds (SIR)
Today, I have the chance to interview the wonderful Ms. Anne Françoise Elisabeth Lange. Hope you enjoy.
SIR: Hello Ms. Anne Lange.
Anne: Hello Ms. Sara. How are you on this lovely day?
SIR: I am quite fine. Would you like to get started?
Anne: Oh certainly.
SIR: Okay. First question. I know you are a French actress. Have you lived in France your whole life? Also, can you describe your family?
Anne: Well, I am originally from Genoa. It’s a small city on the western border of Italy. I don’t remember much because I was only four when we left.
We left because of my parents. They were itinerant musicians and were also actors. They traveled throughout Europe to perform. When I was four, they had been taken on at the theater in Liege, so we moved to Belgium. It wasn’t until 1787 that I moved to France.
SIR: Interesting. So, what kinds of events got you started in the acting business?
Anne: As I said before, my parents were musicians and actors. I just so happened to be in a great deal of their shows. I loved to travel around and I loved to be on stage. With their help, I got started.
In 1787, at age fifteen, I was taken on at the theater at Tours in Marguerite Brunet’s Company in France. This was an honor because, like I said, I was only fifteen.
SIR: So, did you like it?
Anne: I did very well like it. It was one of the best things ever.
SIR: Did you have any mentors along the way? People who helped you in any kind of way?
Anne: Um… Not really. I didn’t have mentors. Unless you count my parents. They helped guide me along, as I got better and older. But when I got to a certain age, I just kind of figured it out on my own.
Fellow actors and actresses were nice. They sometimes gave me pointers on little things. But I don’t know if that really counts…
SIR: Were there any big things you accomplished in you art? Any new methods?
Anne: Well I don’t have any new methods. But, some things I accomplished were: I played Lindane in L’Ecossaise, a wonderful play written by the wonderful Voltaire. I joined the aristocrats, and then a couple years later I became a Societaire.
I also got a big role in the play Pamela ov la Vertu recompense. But sadly, the Committee of Public Safety didn’t like it very much, and arrested me and a few others who were involved. There are many more things I did. I could go on for days.
SIR: So going along with the last question, what opportunities led to a turning point in you acting?
Anne: Well, the biggest opportunity is the fact that I became a Societaire. This was a big deal because only the best of the actors can become one. This was a turning point because, later on that year, I got an enormous role in Pamela.
I also think my first play was an opportunity, but on a different level. After I got into one play, I loved it so much. This made me want to act more, which got me into this wonderful career.
SIR: Well how nice is that. Now I know it was kind of tough to actual get started. How was the world of art when you started?
Anne: Basically, if your family wasn’t involved in arts, you weren’t involved with arts. This was mostly true with women. For the longest time, they didn’t even let women into the theaters to perform.
When I stared, they were just starting to let women perform. Also, France was more acceptant to women. Unlike some countries, France looked at women with more respect.
SIR: How did economic and political problems affect your work?
Anne: Well it didn’t affect me much. The prices of things were going up and there was lots of famine. The Committee of Public Safety rose to power. They made laws about the food prices. Anyone who didn’t obey were killed or arrested.
This is one of the reasons I was arrested. The Committee didn’t like the story of Pamela and the message behind it, so they arrested me. Luckily, I got out though.
SIR: What were some hardships you had to over come?
Anne: One was women had no power. We were taught to be wives. We couldn’t have an education, and had to rely on men for everything. Women were frowned upon for doing anything but being dependent.
I had to deal with people wondering why I didn’t just sit at home and have children. I didn’t like that idea so I didn’t do it. I loved the stage too much.
SIR: Were there any people who inspired you?
Anne: Well as I said, my parents inspired me a lot. They are the reason I do what I do. Talma also inspires me. He is a fine actor and I love his style. That is it. I don’t really admire anyone else but myself. I think that I am the greatest actress ever. Don’t you?
SIR: Of course. Last question. Are there any stories on how you became successful?
Anne: Um… Well. My first time ever being on stage. I was quite afraid. My father told me to be brave and calm. He also said that I was the greatest actress in the world. I still believe that and bring that confidence with me in everything I do. But anyhow, my first show was great and I loved it. I have been acting ever since.
SIR: That was very lovely. Well that is all. Thank you so much.
Anne: You are welcome. Anytime dear.
SIR: Well, that is all. Hoped you enjoyed this interview.
Revolutions Julie Candeille. N.p., 1 5 2010. Web. 1 Mar. 2012. <revolutionscandeille.blogspot.com>.
Wikipedia contributors. "Anne Francoise Elisabeth Lange." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Web. 2 Mar 2012.
Wikipedia contributors. "Francois- Joseph Talma." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Web. 2 Mar 2012
Wikipedia contributors. "French Revolution." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Web. 2 Mar 2012
Wikipedia contributors. "Genoa." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Web. 2 Mar 2012.
Wikipedia contributors. "Societaries of the Comedie- Frencaise." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Web. 2 Mar 2012.
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