Interview with David Suchet
Emmy Award-Winning Narrator of
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition
1. Why did you decide to narrate the
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition?
"Being a Christian myself, having been through a conversion experience at the age of 40, my only experience of any form of faith prior to that was at school and I always considered that religion was for examination!
Hence, I was never really introduced to the Bible in an inspiring, exciting or understandable way which is exactly what the
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition provides."
2. Did you do anything special to prepare for this project?
"By praying a lot and meticulous text book preparation as I would do for classical book on tape to make sure I do the best I possibly can. How I read it was how I prepared it."
3. Did Sally Lloyd-Jones writing and Jago's illustrations inspire your narration of The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition?
"Sally's writing obviously [did inspire me] as it was her adaptation which drew me to the project. Jago's illustrations were really helpful; it's so lovely to see pictures of the characters, it makes them so accessible."
4. How was the recording of this Storybook Bible for children different from other narration projects you have been involved with?
"In the past, I have recorded various books of the Bible for different literary companies. This was different in that
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition is aimed at all age groups. I suppose because it wasn't the actual text of the Bible it allowed me to have a lot more fun; made me feel freer while still delivering the true meaning."
5. Did the recording of
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition inspire you in any way?
"I was inspired by the book; that's what made me want to narrate it. Reading it only enhanced that inspiration."
6. How do you hope your narration of
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition inspires children and grown-ups alike?
"My real hope is that children and adults of all ages listen to this recording; listen and become inspired as I was. I haven't recorded this just with children in mind."
7. What makes narration projects unique compared to roles on stage or on screen?
"Sitting in front of a microphone is a very different thing indeed from being in front of a camera lens or a big audience. I imagine I am speaking to one particular person at any one time. It is a unique challenge."
8. What role has had the biggest impact on your life and career?
"It has to be Hercule Poirot. That part has had the biggest influence on both my career and my life as it made me a household name worldwide. Although I was already quite well known in the UK, hand on heart I mean this modestly, Poirot gave me fame worldwide. This was not hard to deal with, I think because my background is theatre based.
Larry Olivier once said to me over dinner, 'never forget your past and where you came from.’ I had humble beginnings in the theater and because of that I have always had two feet on the ground.
Poirot came to me in 1986 and, having been a professional actor since 1969, it is fair to say that I was old enough to be able to handle it."
9. What projects are you involved with right now, and what is your next big project?
"My next big project is filming out in Hungary when I appear as a real baddie in the adaptation of Terry Pratchett's novel
Going Postal. I play Reacher Gilt; a real shocker in every sense of the word. He is very materialistic and commits murder but because of the genre of Prachett's work, this character is not offensive.
Being an actor and a Christian in today's secular society is not easy. But I try not to appear in programmes or play characters that would cause undue offence. The media does have an influence on the public and I feel a real strong moral responsibility in that respect."
