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FT Weekend: How Shakespeare gave actor Michael Patrick Thornton his life back

May 14, 2022

Guest

Melissa Dring

Guest

Michael Patrick Thornton

In this engaging discussion, actor Michael Patrick Thornton reflects on his remarkable journey from overcoming spinal strokes to starring in the Broadway production of Macbeth. He shares how Shakespeare's sonnets aided his recovery, teaching him vital skills and inspiring his advocacy for disability representation in the arts. Additionally, forensic artist Melissa Dring reveals her unique techniques in crafting suspect sketches, including how she uses warmth and innovative methods to help witnesses recall traumatic events, blending creativity with crime-solving.

33:05

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ANECDOTE

Thornton's Theatrical Spark

Michael Patrick Thornton fell in love with theater after seeing a flawed performance of Twelfth Night.
The actor's mistake and recovery sparked his interest in the intersection of the sacred, poetic, and profane.

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ANECDOTE

Shakespeare as Therapy

At 23, Thornton suffered two spinal strokes, impacting his movement and speech.
Reciting Shakespeare in speech therapy helped him regain his voice and breathing control.

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ANECDOTE

Macbeth on Broadway

Thornton plays Lennox and "murderer number two" in a minimalist, punk rock Macbeth production.
Due to COVID, director Sam Gold's performance as Lennox led to a unique audience interaction.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Shakespeare's Healing Influence

01:53 • 17min

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Artistry in Forensic Memory

19:15 • 6min

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The Evolving Role of Forensic Artistry in Crime Solving

25:38 • 2min

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Emotional Burdens of Forensic Artistry

27:11 • 4min

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Looking Ahead: Abortion Rights and Community Engagement

Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragic play that tells the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall in love despite the long-standing feud between their families. The play explores themes of love, hate, fate, and the destructive nature of the families' vendetta. After secretly marrying, the lovers face numerous challenges, including the death of Romeo's friend Mercutio and his subsequent banishment. A failed plan to reunite the lovers leads to their tragic deaths, ultimately bringing peace between their families. The play is renowned for its poetic language, passionate romance, and violent conflict, making it one of the world's most beloved and enduring stories.

Macbeth

Imdad Hussain

William Shakespeare

Macbeth is a tragedy that explores themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of sin. The play follows Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman, and his wife Lady Macbeth as they navigate a complex web of prophecy, murder, and political intrigue. The witches' prophecy sets off a chain of events that leads to the downfall of Macbeth and the restoration of order in Scotland. The play is known for its dark and haunting atmosphere, its exploration of the human psyche, and its commentary on the nature of tragedy and the human condition[1][4].

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others[1][3][5].

Othello

The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice

William Shakespeare

Written around 1603, 'Othello' is a tragedy that delves into the destructive nature of jealousy and the vulnerability of trust in relationships. The play follows Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, whose marriage to Desdemona is manipulated by his ensign Iago, leading to tragic consequences. Iago exploits Othello’s insecurities about his race and marriage, sowing seeds of doubt that ultimately result in the death of Desdemona and Othello's own downfall. The play is renowned for its exploration of racial and cultural issues, as well as its nuanced portrayal of human nature and the complexities of love and trust.

Richard III

William Shakespeare

The play, part of Shakespeare's 'first tetralogy,' depicts Richard's ruthless ambition and his use of deception, manipulation, and violence to become King Richard III. After the death of his brother, King Edward IV, Richard orchestrates the deaths of his nephews, court noblemen, and other opposition to secure the throne. His reign is marked by terror and eventually leads to his downfall when Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, challenges his claim and defeats him at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Richmond then becomes King Henry VII, ending the Wars of the Roses and starting the Tudor dynasty[3][4][2].

King Lear

William Shakespeare

King Lear, written by William Shakespeare around 1604-1606, is a tragedy that follows the story of King Lear, who decides to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. The division is based on the eloquence of their declarations of love for him. However, Lear's youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia, refuses to flatter him and is disinherited. The play unfolds with Lear's descent into madness, the betrayal by his elder daughters, and the subplot involving the Earl of Gloucester and his sons. Ultimately, the play ends in tragedy with the deaths of Lear, Cordelia, and several other main characters, highlighting themes of deception, power, and the consequences of poor judgment[1][2][5].

Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' is a comedy exploring themes of love, mistaken identity, and disguise. The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a man and falls in love with Orsino, while Sebastian is mistaken for Viola by Olivia. The play's witty dialogue and intricate plot twists create a delightful and engaging experience. 'Twelfth Night' is a celebration of love's complexities and the humorous consequences of mistaken identity.

Midsummer Night's Dream

William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a five-act comedy by William Shakespeare, written around 1595-96. The play intertwines the stories of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors in a forest inhabited by fairies, where love and magic lead to confusion and eventual reconciliation. The play explores themes of love, identity, and the transformative power of imagination.

This weekend, Lilah talks to actor Michael Patrick Thornton, who appears in the buzzy new Broadway production of Macbeth. When Michael was 24, he had a series of spinal cord strokes. Reciting Shakespeare's sonnets taught him how to breathe and speak again, and continue his career. Michael is at present the only actor on Broadway who uses a wheelchair. We ask him about the power of language and his role in the play (which also stars Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga). Then, we learn about Britain's top forensic artist from journalist Will Coldwell, and the techniques she uses to catch criminals — which include a jar of strawberry jam.

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Want to say hi? We love hearing from you. Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap.

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Links and mentions from the episode:

– Will’s profile of Melissa Dring, ‘To catch a criminal: what a forensic artist knows about the mind’: https://on.ft.com/3rw0lht

– Michael Patrick Thornton’s theatre company, The Gift: https://thegifttheatre.org/

– Macbeth – starring Daniel Craig, Ruth Negga and Michael – is on Broadway’s Longacre Theatre until July 10

– Michael is on Twitter @ThorntonMPT, and Will is on Twitter at @Will_Coldwell

– Select coverage of the war in Ukraine is free to read at https://www.ft.com/freetoread

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Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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