James Corden has candidly revealed the sheer terror he felt while starring in the Broadway play 'ART', admitting he was so anxious he would wake up in a cold sweat worrying about his performance.
The British actor and comedian, best known for his role in 'Gavin & Stacey' and hosting 'The Late Late Show', confessed that stepping onto the Broadway stage was an entirely different challenge. 'I was absolutely petrified,' he admitted.
A New Challenge for Corden
Despite his extensive experience in television and film, Corden found the live theatre environment daunting. 'There’s nowhere to hide on stage,' he said. 'Every night, you’re out there, and if you mess up, everyone sees it.'
He described sleepless nights filled with anxiety, replaying scenes in his head and questioning whether he was doing justice to the role. 'I’d wake up drenched, thinking, “Did I ruin the entire show last night?”' he shared.
The Pressure of Broadway
Corden’s role in 'ART', a critically acclaimed play about friendship and modern art, required intense emotional depth—something he hadn’t fully anticipated. 'It’s not just about remembering lines; it’s about conveying real, raw emotion night after night,' he explained.
Despite his fears, the audience and critics praised his performance, proving that his hard work paid off. 'In the end, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,' he reflected.
From Late Night to Live Theatre
Transitioning from a late-night talk show host to a Broadway actor was no easy feat. Corden admitted that the lack of a safety net—no retakes, no editing—left him feeling exposed. 'On TV, if you flub a line, you can just reshoot. On stage, you have to keep going.'
Yet, he credits the experience with reigniting his passion for acting. 'It reminded me why I fell in love with performing in the first place.'
