Review Fix Exclusive: Matt de Rogatis Talks ‘The Collector

Review Fix chats with actor Matt de Rogatis, who discusses his starring role in the upcoming Off-Broadway production of “The Collector.”

About the Production:

After winning a fortune in the lottery, unassuming clerk Frederick Clegg buys a remote country house and goes about furnishing it with everything he thinks a beautiful woman could desire. He then abducts a girl he has worshiped from afar, imprisoning her in the cellar amid his butterfly collection with tragic, electrifying results. This daring psychological thriller about terror and obsession was the debut novel of John Fowles, one of Britain’s most celebrated post-modern authors.

The cast also features Jillian Geurts (Abnormal Attraction with Malcolm McDowell).

Review Fix: How did you find out about this role?

Matt de Rogatis: Right now I’m in a very unique situation with a team of great people where we are mounting our own productions. It’s quite interesting what’s happening with us all and you should write a feature on us, haha! – But as for how I became interested in playing Frederick Clegg….Well in 2014 I was slated to play a role in a short film that was a sociopathic type. Upon my research I stumbled upon the novel of The Collector and loved it and wished there was a play made about it. Lo and behold, there was and while I had a few projects lined up at that point I knew The Collector was something that I wanted to do. This is the New York City premiere of this iconic story and we are doing it Off Broadway at 59E59. I couldn’t be more thrilled about all aspects of it.

Review Fix: What attracted it to you the most?

de Rogatis: Well, I think so many people are fascinated by psychopaths. I’m an actor who does his work and research and so I just thought it would be so fascinating to delve into that world. I study psychology as well and so learning about this kind of behavior is so interesting. But that’s very surface stuff. Underneath it all is just a man who, as socially inept as he may be, just wants to be loved by someone. Sure he takes it to the extreme, kidnapping a girl and imprisoning her in his cellar but it’s all in the name of love. Obsessive love but love nonetheless. You know this book is from the 60’s but the theme is timeless. I think it speaks to a loneliness within us all and just how far would someone go to rid themselves of their loneliness. Some people go on Match.com. Some people stay in bad relationships. Frederick Clegg kidnaps a woman. I’m not trying to be funny as it’s very serious subject matter and disturbing – but the guy is so utterly alone and just wants to show someone, he’s worth it. I think we all want to show someone we are worth it. I know I have tried many times to prove to someone that I was worth it.

Review Fix: How is it different from other roles you’ve had?

de Rogatis: Well, I think in any role I ever play I look for something in the character that I can identify with and bring it to life. There are a lot of things Frederick Clegg is experiencing throughout the play that I can relate to. It’s not happy stuff but I can definitely identify with some of the issues he struggles with. And they are issues that I haven’t expressed in previous roles. So I will try to bring some of that stuff to the surface. Clegg is so much more than a “mad man” and what’s most interesting to me is the side of him that is the human being. I think in any role I choose, I want to be able to bring something different to it. I never want to be playing the same type of character or the same type of roles. I want to explore myself as much as I can. All sides.

Review Fix: How do you want to affect the audience?

de Rogatis: I’ll go back to the theme of loneliness and obsessive love. I think we can all relate to one of those if not both. There are alot of lonely people in this world and I think this show explores the depths of just how far someone will go for human contact and a chance at love. Clegg is so repressed and I think he so desperately wants to be heard in this world. I think more than anything he just wants to be a somebody. We can all relate to that.

Review Fix: How are you preparing?

de Rogatis: Well, I gotta be a creep right? I’ve got a real fancy haircut to make it look like I’m balding, growing a ratty beard, serial killer glasses, working with a dialogue coach for a cockney accent and losing weight. I’m down about 15 pounds since Hamlet. Shooting for 20-25 by the time we open. That and lots of research, work and exploration.

Review Fix: What’s next?

de Rogatis: I’m always plotting and scheming but I’m not looking beyond November the 13. That’s when The Collector ends. After the last show, I’ll go out for a burger because I’m really hungry.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

de Rogatis: YES! Previews begin on Wednesday October 26th and we open on November 1st for 21 shows Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. It has never been done before in New York City. It’s an iconic novel written by John Fowles and adapted for the stage by Mark Healy. We have such a wonderful team of people involved starting at the top with the producers NINE Theatricals and Roebuck Theatricals. Lisa Milinazzo directs and Miranda Grey is played by Jillian Guerts. Tickets are going fast and we expect a full sellout before we even open. But to get your seat, go here: http://www.59e59.org/moreinfo.php?showid=264