She’s wowed audiences and critics alike with memorable performances as Ophelia and Rosalind at the RSC Theatre this season. Pippa Nixon tells Catherine Vonledebur why she’d like to play two of Shakespeare’s most iconic male roles – as a woman...

Pippa Nixon – one of the RSC’s most versatile and talented young actors – is used to switching gender on stage.

In last year’s King John directed by 33-year-old Maria Aberg, she played the part of the Bastard, a very masculine warrior, as a woman; while in this season’s As You Like It Pippa is Rosalind, who disguises as a man.

The 33-year-old, who is concurrently playing Ophelia in David Farr’s Hamlet opposite Jonathan Slinger, says: “After playing the Bastard in King John, it would be fantastic if I also got to play Hamlet or Henry V as a woman.

“Hamlet is such a human part. A woman in the same situation would suffer same emotions and conflicts as a man would.”

Pippa has been passionate about acting since the age of 12 and her enthusiasm is hugely infectious.

The intelligent elfin-like star is lively, unpretentious and full of energy – even sipping water in the RSC’s Chapel Lane offices at 11am.

She says: “I always wanted to work at The RSC and The Globe – and that’s been made possible for me.

“I feel incredibly lucky I’ve been able to play Ophelia and Rosalind at my age – I don’t know anyone who’s had that opportunity.

Pippa Nixon as Ophelia in the RSC's Hamlet
Pippa Nixon as Ophelia in the RSC's Hamlet

“In terms of Shakespeare I’d like to go on to play Lady Macbeth, Beatrice and Kate from Taming in the Shrew. But one part I’d like to play before it’s too late is Juliet.”

On stage Pippa has a beautifully quirky, charismatic and beguiling presence. Her Ophelia is a passionate schoolgirl in Nordic knitwear and trendy specs who falls fatally in love with Hamlet. She plays the role with a touching fragility.

In Maria Aberg’s uplifting modern Glastonbury-style, As You Like it, Pippa’s Rosalind transforms spectacularly from sexy vamp in a low–cut black dress to the enigmatic, boyish Gangymede. Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph’s theatre critic describes the actress as one of the most entrancing Rosalind’s he has ever seen; while Guardian critic Michael Billington said Pippa joins Vanessa Redgrave, Adrian Lester and the late Susan Fleetwood “in the select pantheon of memorable Rosalinds”.

Pippa said: “I don’t read reviews. When you play these parts you know there is ‘baggage’. But in rehearsals you do not realise you are playing such an iconic role – until you get comments like this.

“Maria (Aberg) and I have now worked together three times. I feel like our careers have moved together. We are exactly the same age. She gives me a huge amount of freedom, and has such emotional intelligence and understanding of human nature.

“I have always got on well with people I work opposite with. With Al it just happened organically, we have the same taste in stuff, and it feels like such a collaboration. I have known Jonny (Jonathan Slinger – Hamlet) for three years. He’s so lovely, so warm and so much fun – really open and playful. He’s brave and dangerous as an actor.

“If I could have dreamt up a production of As You Like It– this is it – playing opposite Al (Alex Waldmann – Orlando) with Maria as a director and music by Laura Marling.

“To have all that together is very humbling and exciting. For this part, I wanted to give the whole of myself. It’s incredibly exhausting but life-giving.

“I feel really excited and relaxed what happens next... ”

Pippa knew exactly how she wanted to look for the part of Gangymede and her female to male transformation is truly convincing.

She said: “I knew I wanted to cut my hair off and not wear make-up. It was the look I was going for – inspired by Tilda Swinton and David Bowie. I knew it was important for Rosalind to completely transform the way she looked in court.

“I wanted androgyny, and quite tailored, tight-fitting clothes.

“I did some work with our movement director, Ayse Tashkiran, on how to hold myself and take space.

“I also watched Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry – it’s an amazing film and an amazing piece of acting. She changes her gender for another reason but to see the way she altered her physicality was a major inspiration. I also have three brothers.”

Pippa Nixon in rehearsals for As You Like It
Pippa Nixon in rehearsals for As You Like It

In person, winsome Pippa has kept her hair cropped short for the part of Rosalind, and manages to look fresh and natural without make-up on her day off – despite her heavy schedule. She has a similar, slightly dishevelled hipster charm to British model and fashion journalist Alexa Chung.

The oldest of four children, Pippa grew up in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, with her dad Chris, a doctor, and mum Gilly, a trained nurse, before having children. Her three younger brothers, too, are very creative – Simon, aged 31, is a teacher, Edward, aged 29, is a drummer and audio engineer, who studied at Berklee College of Music, Boston, and Will, aged 27, is a film-maker.

A talented musician Pippa initially went to a music school. Not only did she excel at music but running, however she loathed practicing.

But when she discovered acting at Harlington Upper School, Bedfordshire, it was the first time she found she enjoyed practicing, as much as performing.

She said: “I was really into music growing up. I played violin, clarinet, piano and recorder but hated practicing. I also ran the 800m and cross – country for my county, but hated training.

“I was 12-years-old when I got into acting at school. I had this fantastic drama teacher, Viv Redford. She had a drama school and we did lots of plays and productions. I absolutely loved it. I knew from the age of 12 or 13 what I wanted to do with my life.”

A highly-intelligent student she passed A-levels in English, Theatre Studies and Communication Studies with three A grade passes Pippa had her heart set on going to drama school.

She said: “The reason I ended up at Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre is that my parents said if you are going to do drama it should be as a degree. It was one of the few drama schools at the time which did a drama degree – now most do.

“I had a great time at drama school. For our final year show a casting director came to see me as ITV were doing this new drama 24Seven. On the Friday I was due to finish I got a recall and went off to film 26 episodes on the Monday. It gave me a really good start I worked in TV for nearly five years.”

Her other TV credits include Law and order UK, Wannabes, Dream Team, Holby City and The Bill.

But Pippa said after five years she yearned to return to the stage: “I was being put up for work that didn’t really excite me and I really wanted to get back into theatre.

“I want to be an actress that can work in all fields – theatre and TV. I know I can play a variety of roles.”

Pippa Nixon as The Bastard in King John
Pippa Nixon as The Bastard in King John

Pippa received an Ian Charleson commendation for her role as Jessica in The Merchant of Venice at The Globe in London in 2007.

She then found herself auditioning for a part in Days of Significance, a story about young Iraq war veterans, which Maria Aberg went on to direct at the RSC in 2008. It was the first time the pair worked together.

The following year Pippa found herself involved in two RSC projects in America: Shakespeare in a Suitcase in New York and Cardenio, in Michigan with Greg Doran. She has now been working at the RSC for three years. Other integral roles she has played include Titania in Nancy Meckler’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Lady Ann in Richard III with Jonjo O’Neill.

Pippa said: “I feel being here for three years has made me a better human being, and given me the opportunity to play these roles. ”

As well as acting Pippa is passionate about Ashtanga Yoga.

“I love it,” she says her eyes lighting up. “I do self-practice.

“I am a natural runner, but I do not enjoy it.”

Although she has been inspired by many contemporary actors, Pippa says the performer she would most like to be like is film, stage and TV star, Dame Judi Dench.

She said: “I grew up with Helena Bonham-Carter and Kate Winslet – they certainly were inspiring.

“I am constantly inspired by actors like Emily Blunt and Olivia Coleman and people of my generation, including Michelle Terry, who is a dear friend of mine.

“But Judi Dench is my biggest inspiration – she’s so versatile, so natural and truthful. It’s a wonderful attitude she has – ego-less. She keeps her head down, has a fantastic sense of humour and does work she loves. That’s the actor I want to be.

“I would love to meet her and work with her – I’ve heard how fantastically naughty she is.”

* Pippa is appearing in Hamlet and As You Like at the RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until September 28. Tickets are available from the Box Office 0844 800 1110 or online: www.rsc.org.uk