Character on the couch
Each week we offer one of drama's great characters some counselling. Today Tosca is played by Julie Unwin. The analyst is Leo Benedictus.
Good morning Tosca. How are you?
Actually I've had a difficult time recently, and it's not over. I did a terrible thing.
What did you do?
I murdered somebody.
I see. This is entirely confidential.
Good. I'm glad to get it off my chest, actually. This man Scarpia, he captured my lover Cavaradossi and was going to execute him. When I heard about it I went to him to see if I could do anything, but I felt as if I was talking to myself. He wanted to rape me, and said if he could then he would release Cavaradossi. To my shame, I agreed.
Go on.
I didn't know what else to do. So I moved towards his desk, thinking that if I was going to have to do this I'd need a drink ... and then I saw the knife.
And that gave you the idea?
Yes. I didn't think about it at all. I just waited for him. He came towards me and was about to force himself on me when I stabbed him in the heart. I can't believe I did it, but I had no choice. He took a while to die. I felt sick afterwards. I looked at his corpse, and it was amazing to think that this man was feared by so many and now he was just lying there.
So what will you do now?
I have to find Cavaradossi and explain how they're going to pretend to shoot him. I'm very nervous. I don't really want to admit what happened. I feel appalled that I said yes to Scarpia.
Will you tell him that?
No.
Do you think he would understand?
I don't know. The way he'll look at me ... like I'm a different person.
Do you feel like a different person?
Yes, I do. But soon we can escape, and be free again. We'll go away somewhere, and Cavaradossi can paint and I can sing.
Do you think this experience will affect your singing?
Well, having been there, and playing the tragic heroines often, I think I'll be able to tap into some of what they are feeling.
So you'll almost be able to feel like one of those classic characters?
Yeah.
Well, good luck, Tosca. We'll talk again next week when everything has settled down.
· Thanks. The English Touring Opera production of Tosca is at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh (01728 687110), tomorrow and Saturday, then tours.