Rachael Stirling interview: The Divine Mrs S (The Times)

Having cared for her mother through terminal cancer, the actress is now back on stage, playing Sarah Siddons, the 18th-century grande dame of Drury Lane

Rachael Stirling’s mother would often remind her of the words of an 18th-century actress: “If it is to be found in nature, I know it can be played.” The actress was the much celebrated Sarah Siddons, who played Hamlet in a dress and terrified herself so much while rehearsing Lady Macbeth that she hastened to bed fully clothed. She was credited with expanding the scope of stage heroines so that they did not always end up betrayed, broken or dead.