MovieChat Forums > Shirley Henderson Discussion > Why does she use that voice?

Why does she use that voice?


I was watching the DVD extras on that Charles II movie she did with Rufus Sewell - Ms. Henderson in real life has a lovely alto speaking voice with a soft Scottish accent. It's not the scratchy, weird-toned voice she uses professionally. I can understand her using that character voice for Moaning Myrtle but for every freakin' role?! I don't understand it, especially when "the voice" is so unpleasant - I actually started dreading when her character would come along in "The Last King" because her voice is so cringe-inducing.

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Doesn't bother me. I LOVE that voice, even if it isn't her real voice!

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I can only assume she uses it because the director asks her to talk in a particular way.

I'm only going to say this once: stay out of Camberwick Green - Sam Tyler

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Must be a thing some directors like. I think the character of Bernadette in The Big Bang Theory sounds almost exactly like that.

"Sometimes I'm callous and strange."

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Agreed...she wouldn't use it unless the director asked for it. It is her trademark, she could well be cast because of her voice....

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It will just be dependent on her role & the direction she has been given. Sometimes her roles are of slightly neurotic, brittle women. So that voice fits, but I don't find her voice (normal accent or other) anything but right for what she is performing - I hadn't noticed her voice in roles, just her performance.

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I agree - actresses who exaggerate those irritating "little girl" voices and mannerisms just make one break out in hives. I guess they think it will make them appear 'perpetually young' but, in reality, it's aggravating as hell.

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Her voice is so annoying, I wanted to struggle her at "Tale of Tales" Could not stand it

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I agree - actresses who exaggerate those irritating "little girl" voices and mannerisms just make one break out in hives. I guess they think it will make them appear 'perpetually young' but, in reality, it's aggravating as hell.
I adore Ms. Henderson's performances, and if her distinctive way of speaking is part of the parcel, I'm fine with that.

Maybe it's something she didn't alter in her youth, because there are soooo many pretty, young, even talented actresses out there, often it's good to have at least one distinctive trait that sets you apart, and makes casting directors, etc. remember you.

(And it would be extremely boring if everyone sounded the same and neutralized, anyway.)

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As a side note, AND NOT TO CAST SUPPOSITION INTO MS. HENDERSON'S PAST...but an interesting thing is that grown women who are caught in a wispy, high-pitched, baby talk way of speaking have often been sexually abused in their childhood. Anorexia can also be an indicator of this. Both conditions can be the child's way of wanting to avoid maturity, where they fear they'll become even more sexualized...an aspect of life they do not see as safe.

So perhaps we should be a little more gentle when we find this tick annoying.



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