"When I played drunks I had to remain sober because I didn't know how to play them when I was drunk"

In this quote, Richard Burton, the renowned Welsh actor, reviews the challenges of properly representing inebriated characters on phase or on screen, highlighting an intriguing paradox about acting and human habits. At its core, the quote exposes a nuanced understanding of the craft of acting and the intricate interaction between authenticity and performance.

Burton's declaration recommends that to convincingly play an intoxicated individual, an actor needs to maintain clear-headedness and control. This is an interesting idea because it counters an intuitive presumption that sharing the state of the character might result in a more authentic portrayal. The fact, as Burton pinpoints, is that acting demands a layer of detachment. Sobriety supplies the star with the essential tools to observe, analyze, and recreate the subtleties of drunken habits without succumbing to the unpredictability that real intoxication may require. While it might appear ironic, for an actor, maintaining sobriety when portraying inebriation permits a more precise and purposeful execution.

Moreover, Burton's insight highlights a broader concept in acting: the requirement of mastery over one's feelings and physical expressions. When an actor is drunk, their faculties suffer, making it difficult to carry out the method and accuracy needed for a persuading efficiency. A sober actor can harness their observation skills, bring into play previous experiences or studied observations of intoxication, to illustrate such a state with intention.

This quote can also be interpreted as a commentary on professionalism and devotion to craft. In spite of any personal experiences with alcohol, Burton acknowledged the importance of stepping outside of the character's state to provide an efficiency grounded in ability instead of chance. In essence, Burton's words are a testament to the discipline fundamental in acting-- a reminder that convincing artistry stems from control, not mayhem.