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In 1991, Helen Mirren was “absolutely slaughtered” for a performance. Today, it’s one of her proudest moments
Helen Mirren says she remains proud of starring in the 1991 farce *Sex Please, We’re Italian*, even though critics savaged it and audiences soon deserted the theatre. The experience was traumatic, but it reflects her habit of choosing roles that interest her rather than tailoring her career to audience expectations.
Mirren played Rosetta Borsi, a villager trying to stop two young lovers from marrying because they may be siblings, a secret that would expose years of affairs. Preview audiences reportedly cheered, but after the reviews turned, performances drew about ten people a night. The article contrasts the flop with her parallel work as DCI Jane Tennison in *Prime Suspect*, a role that earned her three consecutive BAFTA TV Awards.
In short
- Mirren still considers the 1991 farce a career highlight.
- Critics’ reviews turned the production into a box-office failure.
- She values choosing roles that appeal to her creatively.
Explained simply
Helen Mirren is a British actor whose career has included stage and screen roles. In 1991, she appeared in the stage farce Sex Please, We’re Italian, playing Rosetta Borsi, a villager trying to prevent two young lovers from marrying because they might be brother and sister.
The play’s plot turns on a secret about years of affairs, while its reception changed sharply between early previews and later performances. Around the same time, Mirren was playing police detective Jane Tennison in the television series Prime Suspect, a role recognised with three consecutive BAFTA TV Awards.
The story reflects two very different responses to her work and the range of roles she took on. It also raises a broader question about how an actor judges a performance when critics and audiences respond poorly.