Maryam d'Abo on Bond's Evolution and Her New Stage Venture
Maryam d'Abo, renowned for her role as Kara Milovy in the James Bond film The Living Daylights, is now starring in the London production of Spanish Oranges. In a recent interview, she reflected on her Bond experience and the shifting portrayal of women in the iconic franchise.
From Bond Girl to Stage Star
D'Abo, who played a Czech cellist and sniper opposite Timothy Dalton's 007, described the Bond set as a "big family," with producers Cubby and Barbara Broccoli deeply involved. However, she admitted to initial shyness and a fear of media exposure during her early career. "I take responsibility for not having had enough confidence," she said, emphasizing that she does not blame the Bond role for any career challenges. "I'll never regret it," she added, highlighting the positive aspects of the experience.
Documenting Bond's Changing Roles
In 2002, d'Abo produced the documentary Bond Girls Are Forever, exploring how female characters in the series have evolved over decades. She noted that early films, like Goldfinger with Honor Blackman's Pussy Galore, featured tongue-in-cheek humor, while later installments showed more empowerment. "It would be unthinkable now," she remarked, referencing a scene in The Man With the Golden Gun where Roger Moore's Bond smacks a female character. This evolution, she argued, mirrors broader societal changes.
Artistic Creation and Ethical Dilemmas
Spanish Oranges, written by Alba Arikha, delves into themes of artistic rivalry, fame, and ethics. The play follows a writer accused of stealing a story and her actor husband facing cancellation. D'Abo and Arikha, both married to artists, discussed the balance between imagination and authenticity in art. They opposed limiting actors or writers to roles based solely on personal experience, advocating for creative freedom. "Without our imagination, what are we supposed to write about?" Arikha questioned, citing Tolstoy's War and Peace as an example of empathetic storytelling.
Personal Reflections and Future Directions
D'Abo expressed some regret about prioritizing Los Angeles over a potential theatre career in France, where she spent part of her childhood. She and Arikha, longtime friends, share a background in artistic families, with Arikha's godfather being Samuel Beckett. The production of Spanish Oranges also features Arikha's daughter, adding a real-life layer to the fictional narrative. The play runs at the Playground theatre in London from 11 February to 7 March, offering audiences a twisty drama on the complexities of married life and artistic endeavor.
