She stands as the frontrunner to clinch the Best Actress Oscar this coming Sunday, yet Jessie Buckley's path to Hollywood acclaim was nearly thwarted at its inception by her inaugural theatre experience. The acclaimed star of Hamnet has disclosed that as a young girl, she was profoundly 'traumatised' by a staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, convinced she had witnessed an actual crucifixion unfold on stage.
A Childhood Memory That Shaped a Career
In a revealing conversation on Sunday's edition of Desert Island Discs, Buckley recounted the pivotal moment. 'The first play my parents ever took me to was Jesus Christ Superstar,' the 36-year-old actress told presenter Lauren Laverne. 'I was so utterly transported by the production that I genuinely believed a man had been crucified right before my eyes. I was traumatised, lying on the floor sobbing uncontrollably.'
This incident occurred during a local amateur dramatic performance in her hometown of Killarney, County Kerry. Buckley described how her mother, likely out of embarrassment, or her father had to request permission to take her backstage. There, they introduced her to Mike Murphy, the actor who portrayed Jesus, to demonstrate he was unharmed. 'That was my first glimpse behind the curtain—the sheer magic of theatre. It felt so incredibly real,' she reflected.
Irony in the Aftermath
In a twist of fate, Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer of the very show that had so distressed her, later became instrumental in Buckley's ascent to stardom. He served as a judge on the BBC talent competition I'd Do Anything, where a 17-year-old Buckley vied for the lead role of Nancy in a production of Oliver!
While Buckley expressed gratitude for Lloyd Webber's mentorship, she also voiced discomfort over the show's intense focus on her adolescent appearance. 'I wish that hadn't occurred... and I sincerely hope no other young girl ever has to endure that at such a tender age,' she remarked.
Choosing Education Over Immediate Fame
Despite finishing as runner-up to Jodie Prenger, now known for her role in Coronation Street, Buckley declined the opportunity to become an understudy. Instead, she opted to pursue formal drama training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), a decision that has evidently paid dividends in her career.
Today, Buckley is widely predicted to secure the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal in Hamnet, a film that dramatises the life of William Shakespeare. Her journey from that traumatic childhood moment to Oscar contention underscores the resilience and dedication required in the performing arts.
Desert Island Discs airs on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday at 10am and is accessible via BBC Sounds, offering further insights into Buckley's remarkable story.
