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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to wonder how busy actors memorise so many lines?

58 replies

Feis123 · 07/05/2026 20:07

To think that actors and actresses have super-memories? The question is prompted by seeing an underground poster for a theatrical production of Shadowlands, starring Hugh Bonneville - how on earth does he (and his equally busy colleagues) memorise large chunks of text if they are busy all the time and appearing in theatre and filming?

OP posts:
Original poster
Feis123 · 08/05/2026 21:00

Mingou · 07/05/2026 22:03

Training. There's not really that much to it, anyone can do it.

You can't be serious! Word for word? I mean, how? Huge chunks of text. I know they can do re-takes in cinema, but in theatre?

OP posts:
Original poster
Feis123 · 08/05/2026 20:59

JulietteHasAGun · 07/05/2026 22:13

I was in the drama society at uni and I had a big part in a play, spent months learning my lines.

Sorry, what was your degree if you don't mind my asking and did you find memorising your degree stuff as easy as the play?

OP posts:
Original poster
Feis123 · 08/05/2026 20:58

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 07/05/2026 20:56

It's their job that they've trained for. If they had to do your job all day they'd no doubt be asking how you do it!

I have a very retentive memory (we worked with a foreign customer based of 1000 users in different regions, and I could name most of them by region). But you'd probably be surprised by how easy you found it if it was your only job!

I am insanely jealous of anyone with retentive memory. You have a massive gift!

OP posts:
JulietteHasAGun · 07/05/2026 22:13

I was in the drama society at uni and I had a big part in a play, spent months learning my lines.

AgnesMcDoo · 07/05/2026 22:11

Thats their job.

I’m busy but have to learn things for my job so I do it.

Same for them.

Mingou · 07/05/2026 22:03

Training. There's not really that much to it, anyone can do it.

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 07/05/2026 20:56

It's their job that they've trained for. If they had to do your job all day they'd no doubt be asking how you do it!

I have a very retentive memory (we worked with a foreign customer based of 1000 users in different regions, and I could name most of them by region). But you'd probably be surprised by how easy you found it if it was your only job!

Getmeacoffeenow · 07/05/2026 20:13

It’s incredible and I would be dreadful at it.

I can’t even remember what I was going to say mid sentence 😭