Jacqueline du Pré

Yeah.

A great classical cellist, Jacqueline Dupre, very famous, wonderful cellist.

who died young from multiple sclerosis, but she would kind of, every single time she played, she'd do it differently in a way that classical players don't always, you know, they'll do it a little different every time, but she's playing the notes, you know, the notes that's written, but her interpretation would throw off conductors that they'd be kind of so used to people not doing that.

But she was just absolutely right inside the music, right inside the music.

And I talk, I always think of course my pen is that, that long ago now.

Emily Watson was offered both projects, and she chose Hilary and Jackie, um, Jacqueline du Pré.

Um, and then we came across almost...

I mean, literally we, we met Cate Blanchett in our office in Highbury over a baked potato over lunch.

And now, you know, I cannot imagine anybody else playing the role.

I'm sure Emily W- Watson would have been fantastic also.

Um, and she was incredible playing Jacqueline du Pré, absolutely amazing.

Both incredible actresses, and uh, it, it's amazing to think of Cate Blanchett back then when you know she'd obviously done a few things, but she wasn't, you know-

And nobody tried it.

That is Jacqueline du Pré, who I know because my chamber music teacher/orchestra conductor, he was my sister's cello- He taught cello and flute.

He taught my sister, and he was always talking about Jacqueline du Pré, who he thought my sister looked like her.

But, uh-

Do you think that?

Today we're speaking with Benjamin Emery Larson about his new musical, How to Play the Cello Until You Don't.

What happens to artists when they can't make art anymore? This edgy one act is loosely based on the life of cellist Jacqueline Dupre, whose career was cut short in her 30s by multiple sclerosis.

Ben, welcome to New at NAMT.

Hey, I'm so excited to be here.

Tell us a little bit about the musical, How to Play the Cello Until You Don't Know.

It gives us an optimism.

Yeah, the show is about Jackie Dupre, who is one of the greatest cellists of all time.

And she was active mostly in the 60s, 50s and 60s.