Despite earning an Oscar nomination for her powerful portrayal of Joan Baez in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, actress Monica Barbaro candidly reveals that impostor syndrome remains a significant personal hurdle as she gears up for her first venture onto the stage. “I feel like I’m imitating an American accent, but it really is mine,” Barbaro jokes, referring to her morning rehearsals where she’s been practicing an English accent for the National Theatre’s revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. She explains that for interviews, she consciously switches back to her natural voice, believing it’s “best to use my own voice.”
Today, Barbaro – recognized for her work as activist and folk singer Joan Baez in James Mangold’s film – is reflecting on this pivotal new chapter as a theatre performer. She is tasked with bringing to life Madame de Tourvel, one of literature’s most iconic figures, known for being a casualty of sophisticated seduction and manipulation. This role presents a formidable challenge, not least due to its prestigious history, having been previously played by acclaimed actresses such as Juliet Stevenson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Annette Stroyberg, and Reese Witherspoon. Barbaro openly shares her apprehension, stating, “Speaking aloud in a theatre for this big of an audience is new for me.”