Anton Lesser (star of Game of Thrones, Wolf Hall and Endeavour) returns to the Garden on Saturday 21 June to perform Thomas Hardy in his own words, poetry and novels.  Producer Judy Reaves caught up with him as he prepares for the show.

What can the audience expect from Thomas Hardy?
"The show is full of love, life and laughter. Laughter isn’t something you necessarily associate with Hardy, but he could be very funny. This show is for anyone who loves Hardy, vaguely remembers reading Hardy at school, has seen the numerous film and TV adaptations - or who knows nothing at all about Hardy. The show tells the story of his life, in his own words - through his letters, great novels and poetry – through to his ending, which is more Thomas Hardy than a Thomas Hardy novel! Hardy is often portrayed as this Victorian novelist, but in many ways, he was a thoroughly modern man, who travelled on the Tube, and cut deals with Hollywood."

Were you familiar with Thomas Hardy?
"I knew the novels, but I have been transported, discovering Hardy’s poetry. The poems are like little dramas. They draw you into the whole world within a few lines. And so modern, to our ears. I went straight out and bought a massive Collected Poems. I began turning down the pages of poetry I liked. If you saw the spine of the book now, almost every page is marked – it’s ridiculous."

This is a return performance for you here?
"I’m absolutely delighted to be returning to Painswick Rococo Garden! We sold out our show about Laurie Lee – Red Sky at Sunrise – here last year, so it’s wonderful to be coming back with the same creative team. I didn’t know the garden before, and it was an absolute joy to explore its wonders. It was a golden evening all round, and I’m looking forward to another, on Midsummer’s Eve!"

What is it like to perform a combination of words and music – how does it work, as an actor?
"To be asked to read great writing, and to read it aloud is a privilege. To read it aloud supported by magnificent music is something more-I would call it a blessing. The words and the music combine, hopefully deepening and enriching the experience for both audience and practitioners."

You can get carried away by the music?
"Yes, I’m often so carried away by the musicians that I’m a bit of a liability-sometimes needing a bit of a nod or nudge to come in on cue, from David Le Page! David is Artistic Director of Orchestra of the Swan. For Hardy, he has devised a Mellstock Band-style, that combines the music of Holst, Purcell and Warlock with contemporary folk. He has also composed a good deal of the music, and it is piercingly beautiful. Our brilliant actress, Lucia Bonbright plays multiple roles, from Hardy’s mother and his two wives, to the great heroines from his novels, but she also gets to sing, and that is a stunning moment. Fortunately, I don’t get to sing."

You are playing Major Partagaz again in the hugely successful second series of Star Wars Andor, described as ‘a truly unnerving villiain’. You also played the villainous advisor Qyburn in Game of Thrones. Do you enjoy playing villains?
"It’s not so much that I enjoy playing ‘villains’- (I like to think that I approach every role without limiting their identity to a single label like good or bad)-I think it’s more that those characters tend to be more complex and interesting."

What is it like, being part of Star Wars?
"Amazing! With acting, every show always feels like the first day, your first time at doing this. I remember walking into Pinewood ,thinking ‘This is the movies!’ Then I saw lots of mates, and we were all rushing up to each other, going ‘This is Star Wars – I can’t believe it!’ and you realise it’s just the same for all of us. We are all incredibly excited to be part of it."

On Endeavour, you and Roger Allam were renowned for being cheeky together?
"Roger and I got away with a modicum of bad behaviour simply because we were very old. Two theatre actors in gentle competition for the best ‘light’ or close up must have been a sad and sorry spectacle, and an example for younger actors how not to behave on set- but it was great fun and all in the best possible taste!"

Your favourite roles?
"My favourite role is usually the one I’m currently working on. Most recently, I have loved being back at the RSC, in Rupert Goold’s stunning production of Hamlet. I played Hamlet’s father, the Player King and the gravedigger, and it was the most marvellous experience. Luke Thallon was stunning as Hamlet, and I loved being part of our Hamlet family."

You have just performed A Beautiful Thread at Stonehenge?
Thrillingly, yes. The performance was part of Salisbury International Arts Festival, organised by Wiltshire Creative. Famously, Stonehenge is the scene of Tess’ downfall, in Tess of the d’Urbervilles. English Heritage came on board, and arranged that we could perform right by the Stone Circle. The audience had to experience the show through headphones – like a kind of marvellous Hardy silent disco. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, for us performers and the audience, to perform in Hardy’s ‘Temple of the Winds.’ We were so blessed with the weather – it can be pretty wild up on Salisbury Plain and we caught the one good evening in a fortnight. The atmosphere was incredible, watching the light change on the Stones, with those wonderful words of Hardy. I’ll never forget it. And I can now say that I have done a gig ‘with the Stones’!"