2010 Letter to Rachael

[Chris]

Rachael basically invited us to write her a letter (when she spoke with Bonnie) as she said that she would be happy to answer our questions. How about doing it again? Four years seems a long time since the last one and I am sure she has changed her perspective on a number of issues. It sounds to me as though she was very pleased to receive and answer the 2006 letter.

Should we follow through on her invitation?

I am more than willing to help in any way I can.

Chris

 

[Bonnie]

It's funny you should mention this, Chris, because since meeting Rachael I've actually been putting together a list of questions to send to her, in a sort of interview style. Most of them are quite random and not really all that related to her career, as I wanted it to be a bit different to the usual sort of things she'd be asked by a journalist.

It would be good to get some input from everyone else, though, if anyone can come up with some interesting questions you'd like to know the answers to?

[DavidFW]

I'd like to know which one role in her body of work to date does she consider to be her favorite, her best and one where she was totally satisfied with the end result. And why?
 Also, from the quotes and her own comments both personal and professional she seems to be grounded and very much apart from the, "Star" persona. How does she manage to keep her own identity and still work in the high pressure arena of show business?

Either or, if you have a lot of questions from other members.
David

[Emily]

I'd like to know which one role in her body of work to date does she consider to be her favorite, her best and one where she was totally satisfied with the end result. And why?

I definitely like the above one.

Maybe a question along the lines of if she has any other work in the pipeline after A Midsummer's Night Dream.
And if she has any hobbies/what does she enjoy doing in her spare time.

[DavidFW]

I definitely like the above one.

 
And if she has any hobbies/what does she enjoy doing in her spare time.

And I like that question. Not knowing but judging from her random quotes, I'm going to guess she's prefers outdoor things. Horseback riding. Photography. I'd also guess she likes different films. Not to study but to relax. Off the wall and quirky/funny films. Films like the Cohen brothers put out.

[Emily]

And I like that question. Not knowing but judging from her random quotes, I'm going to guess she's prefers outdoor things. Horseback riding. Photography. I'd also guess she likes different films. Not to study but to relax. Off the wall and quirky/funny films. Films like the Cohen brothers put out.

Yeah that's what I thought
But I think most of her recent interviews have been about the projects/plays she has been doing. I thought it'd be nice to have an "updated" answer and whether she has any new interests.

 

[Chris]

David and Emily,

Your ideas are good ones. Bonnie do you wish to write the letter or have one of us do it? I thought the letter was a good idea but hadn't begun to think of any questions. What kind of questions did you have in mind if not career related?

Here's one. Someone saw you walking your dog dressed in bright yellow coat (you not the dog). You were with a very tall man. The person who saw you decided to allow you your privacy but is wondering if that was really you. Do you have a dog, what kind and what is his/her name?

Are you still driving your VW Golf? If not, what?

 If not in a car how do you get manage to get around the city? Tube? Train?

What kind of makeup do you use now? Different than 2006?

Do you still live in your Victorian Cottage in Kensal Rise? Sp?

Bonnie are these more like the questions you had in mind or if another direction please let me know.

Chris

[Bonnie]

Chris, I would be very happy to write the letter and had already started to compose one after Rachael mentioned to me about her being happy to answer stuff for the site.

I think the questions suggested so far are great, though I would be wary of the phrasing of any relating to her car/house/dog/etc. in case she thinks we're stalking her or something. I can confirm that she does have a bright yellow coat as she was wearing it when I met her, so it's very likely it was her! We could just ask her if she has any pets, ask her what she drives (that was actually one of the questions I had written too ) and something relating to her home as well, which I had also noted down as an interesting thing to ask. I'd be quite interested to know whether she prefers old or modern homes so maybe that could be worked into it.

One thing I would quite like to know is whether Rachael is at all religious or spiritual, though how to phrase that I don't know. I'd also like to know whether she believes in life after death, spirits and ghosts, and what she thinks happens when we die - is that too serious? It's one of the questions I always ask people as I think it can tell you a lot about a person.

I'm not at home at the moment but when I get home I'll paste a copy of the questions I jotted down, as I have them stored in a Word document on my home PC.

Great questions - keep 'em coming!

[DavidFW]

Not sure how to word this but, how much importance does Rachael attach to awards in the acting profession?

Okay, this isn't as easy as it appears. One doesn't  want to come off as nosy or like a fan of some teen idol such as Miley Cyrus. Sometimes it's easy to overlook that our favorite actors are people just like us but with agents and bigger paychecks. So I tried to think what I'd ask if she was a friend I hadn't seen in a while but that's mostly sports questions (What do you think the Yankees will do this year?) or, "Are you putting in a garden this year?"
Having said that, if Rachael were to sit and have a few pints with some of her fans, what would she like to know about them, regarding her work or simply their lives?

[Emily]

We could just ask her if she has any pets.

I was actually going to put that, lol. Maybe we could expand that question and ask what other pets she would like to own or if she hasn't got any than what pets would she like...?

It's so difficult to think of things to ask her. But I will carry on giving my brain a work out, lol.

[DavidFW]

I noticed that this thread is getting a lot of reads and for those who may not be into questions, I'm sure Bonnie, or whoever writes the letter would be willing to add comments from Rachael's followers.
Perhaps naming a favorite work or scene within a work.
It's not often that someone in entertainment will interact directly with their fans, their followers.
Most letters are shunted through an agency and if you're lucky, you may get a generic, rubber stamped photo for your efforts.

Reading Phillipa's post about Joanna Lumley, it would appear that she too enjoys contact with her fans.

As I mentioned, it's difficult to think of really good questions but again, what would you ask a friend you hadn't seen in years? Or perhaps a new co-worker?
If I ran into Rachael in a bar and she seemed approachable, I'd ask her, "What are you drinking?"
I know a lot of folks have moved over to the social web sites and do their networking on Facebook, etc.
I kind of enjoy this type of site. It's comfortable and very laid back. If you read this than please post something. A comment on the site. A comment on my post. A, "Hello!"


                          ......or not.

[Philippa]

Oh what a lovely idea! I'll start thinking up a few original questions as well. The ones everyone's come up with so far sound great

[Chris]

Bonnie,
I am so glad you are willing to write this letter. Just edit whatever I write so that you are comfortable including any that I write.

David, I like your idea of what she values in her career and what changes she feels she has made in her acting ability. Basically I like your idea but can't remember the exact questions but I liked them. What about asking these questions for each venue, film, stage and television?

I would like to know about the human fresco she has just done. What is it and how was it done? There is reference to it a few months ago and is also in the article on Rachael Loves Her Ass.

In this same article it mentions she visited Costa Rica. What is your experience and opinion of the country?

Emily, Good idea to ask her about her free time activities.  She talks about being a homebody now in that same interview after MSND. Big change to me as I expected her to be out partying all the time.

That's all for tonight. I hope all you viewers will take a minute write one question! Please.

Chris

[Chris]

What roles have you won or lost due to your 5'9" height?

[Philippa]

- What was your ambition when you were a child?
- Which skill are you most proud of?
- What's the last book you read and loved?