Actors
Paul McGann
In the English version, Griffin is played by Paul McGann, who many may remember for his portrayal of a similar character in the cult film classic, 'Withnail and I'. Paul recorded the part at Real World studios where he met Alex Gifford (music), and Andy Kennedy (sound effects). Together they explored interpretations of Griffin's character and moods, until the boundaries between their tasks became blurred. Paul's interpretation of Griffin and the accompanying soundtrack were thus developed, resulting in an intricate dance of musical and human emotion that set the style for the entire audio track.
Isabella Rossellini
In the English version Sabine is played by Isabella Rossellini - the daughter of well-travelled European parents - she has an indefinable accent and the voice of a muse, loaded with the sultry and dangerous allure of a siren. All of which combined to make her the ideal actress to play the part of Sabine. When Isabella read the script she immediately developed a strong affinity for the character of Sabine and readily agreed to perform the role. Recording took place in the midst of a New York winter, yet as Isabella spoke she summoned up the sunlight of the South Seas with the warmth of her voice.
Ben Knigsley
Ben Kingsley was familiar with the Griffin and Sabine books and when asked to play the part of Victor Frolatti he already had the measure of this repellent character. From the first syllable that Victor Frolatti utters the skin crawls with instinctive loathing.
Ben Becker
The German version of Griffin was performed by the German actor Ben Becker. He has built his reputation on his insightful portrayal of intense characters in films such as Schlafes Bruder and Komödien Harmonist
I initially thought that taking over the role of Griffin would be a fairly simple exercise in reading the dialogue, but I hadn't fully realised the incredible depth of this character. There are so many levels to this lonely artist from London that the more I analysed his character the deeper I sank into him....In the end it was much more than just recording dialogue, I was acting with full intensity in order to do justice to myself and Griffin.
Katja Riemann
Highly acclaimed German film actress Katja Riemann, celebrated for her leading roles in the most successful German films of our time including Bandits and most recently Die Apothekerin, agreed to take on the role of Sabine having been seduced by the power of this enigmatic character:
The Griffin and Sabine books instantly aroused my curiosity. As I read the first letters that were written by Sabine, I began to fall in love with this mysterious and fascinating person. By the time the production started I had become one with the character of Sabine, allowing her to come to life through me - even though the question of her actual existence remains a mystery right through to the end.
Otto Sander
The much respected German film and theatre actor, Otto Sander, has the precise combination of authority and sensitivity required to convey the full power of Yeats' poem The Second Coming. This poem is a recurring theme throughout Ceremony of Innocence both in spoken form, and transformed into symbolic imagery. Otto's passionate reading, treated to sound like an old radio broadcast opens the production and draws it to a powerful conclusion.
