When I read “A Tale of Two Cities” for the first time over five years ago, I remember the epic ending, of course. But there was one distinct activity, one quality of one character that stuck out like a sore thumb: Madame Defarge’s knitting.
I heard A Tale of Two Cities for the first time in August of 2010, and I was absolutely blown away by everything about it – the music, the lyrics, how true it was to the story. Santoriello’s portrayal of Madame Defarge was no exception. Any girl who considers herself a “Broadway belter” can’t listen to “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” or “The Tale” without itching to play the role. But that wasn’t what drew me to this character… it was her passion. I knew I HAD to play this role.
Angela Jeffries as Madame Defarge
So, I started with step one: the knitting. I started in October of last year, just two months before auditions for A Tale of Two Cities. At that time, I was playing the role of Trix the Aviatrix in The Drowsy Chaperone. The role gave me literally almost an hour and a half of time backstage, so I taught myself how to knit. It wasn’t easy at first, but as time went on, it became second nature, practically. I spent hours upon hours knitting scarves that would end up as Christmas gifts. During this time, I remember trying to grasp how such a nurturing hobby could be an expression of hate.
Today, I get it. After digging into this incredible character that Dickens has created, I get it.
It is therapeutic. It keeps me very quiet. It provokes so many thoughts – my hands are busy, but so is my mind.
Metaphorically, the knitting represents the cunning and cold-blooded retaliation of the revolutionaries. As Madame Defarge sits quietly knitting, she appears quiet and quaint… but she is actually sentencing her enemies to death. Similarly, the French peasants may come off as such hushed human beings, but they rise up, eventually, and massacre the aristocrats.
The best way I heard it described was in a comparison to the Fates in Greek mythology. The three sisters control human life through a weaving process. One sister spins the web of life, another measures the life, and the last one cuts it. Madame Defarge’s vengeful knitting is a representation of her victims’ fate.
I have been performing for most of my life. Most roles I’ve played have been sweet, tender women who have something or someone to take care of. This woman is so different from anything I’ve ever played or even seen. She is not sweet; she is not tender. She is vengeful; she is dark; she is passionate; she is angry; she is hateful; she is hurt; she is bitter.
The amazing thing about a life and career in the theatre arts is being able to do things you’ve never done before and would probably not do otherwise – like make your entrances via airplane or parachute. Or knit and actually FEEL something while you’re doing it.
This has been one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever played, but also the most fun. I stand there a lot of the time and just WATCH the ensemble; my character allows that. I can’t tell you how many inspiring instances I have witnessed in that performance space.
My job is to PLAY. I get to rub fake dirt on my hands and arms and neck and face every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night and Saturday morning. I get to be the villain. I get to act absolutely nuts for three hours in front of a full audience of people. I get to sing my little heart out. I get to rediscover and uncover new things day in and day out. I get to be surrounded by the most incredible set I’ve ever walked on. I get to hear beautiful music. I get to work with an incredible creative team. And I get to share a stage with, really and truly, some of the nicest, most talented, most tender and most humble people I’ve ever known.
I count my blessings every single day.
You are incredible! I love your voice and you are a fabulous actress!!! I went and got the soundtrack for A Tale of Two Cities. (I like your voice more than the woman who played her on Broadway.)You are amazing!