Better known for playing characters than writing them, audiences might well be surprised by Jim Broadbent’s latest creative endeavour – a graphic novel produced with artist Andrew Dixon.
Academy award-winning actor Jim Broadbent and illustrator Andrew Dixon (known as Dix) have collaborated in a unique publishing venture – a graphic novel called Dull Margaret. Dix is local to Hay and set the day of the talk as the project’s deadline. Today was the first time the pair had gotten their hands on the book, and even gave it a good sniff onstage while taking the moment in!
Broadbent said he writes between acting jobs and also makes characterful sculptures. The actor originally wrote the story as a film script and said he had thought of playing Margaret himself. He approached Dix after enjoying his comic strip Roll Up! Roll Up! roughly a decade ago. After establishing it was the Jim Broadbent emailing, Dix was happy to collaborate on the project and spent several months working throughout the night to complete the illustrations.
The protagonist was inspired by the central figure in Pieter Bruegel’s painting Dulle Griet, commonly referred to as Mad Margaret. Broadbent said he was inspired by her strength and was also influenced by the landscapes of his childhood, the Lincolnshire mudflats, a colour palette Dix used throughout his illustrations.
Broadbent and Dix said they both enjoy dark humour and that they even share an “anarchic side”. The pair spoke about the creative process to broadcaster Georgina Godwin who described Broadbent as a “nice man from Paddington with this deeply dark soul”. The hour was filled with laughs, dry wit and wry comments throughout.
If you missed this, you might enjoy event 401 ‘The Communist Manifesto: The Graphic Novel’ Martin Rowson and Phil Jupitus on Saturday 2June at 8.30pm.