“Our Youth Ensemble is incredibly important and its impact goes far beyond putting on a show. It is a space to nurture creativity, empathy and dedication as well as building self-confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.”
Can you tell us about your journey in theatre so far, and your history with OVO? Are there any past OVO productions that have been especially meaningful for you to perform in or direct?
I’ve acted in many OVO productions over the years Little Women, The Crucible, Macbeth, Hedda —funnily enough, Twelfth Night was my very first OVO production back in 2007, where I was Viola, and I’ve since played Malvolia in 2019. It’s hard to single out a favourite Ovo production, Mosquitoes at Chichester is hard to top, but my heart will always hold a special place for Rosalind in As You Like It (2016), not only my first production after my daughter was born, but Ovo’s debut at the Minack. Performing under the stars, surrounded by such a wonderful company, was simply joyous.
Last year, the OVO Youth Ensemble delivered a powerful version of Lord of the Flies. What inspired the shift to a Shakespearean comedy for this season? Do you have a personal connection to
Twelfth Night? What draws you to this particular play?
Well, they do both involve crashes, coastlines, and chaos — but otherwise, yes, quite a departure from Lord of the Flies. Each year I’m keen to challenge the company and reach different young actors by exploring a range of genres and performance styles, and as OVO is known for its re-imaginings of Shakespeare – so, I thought: why not. I’ve always loved Twelfth Night — the mischief, the love, the pain, and the pointed humour of it all. Though billed as a comedy, it’s not all frippery; there’s an underlying human yearning for connection and a fear of being unloved which I’m keen to bring out. It is the hope for love; the ache of loneliness; the desire to be truly accepted for who you are; and the painful pleasure of falling for someone, which fuels the bonkers behaviours of these characters. And, who can’t relate to doing something idiotic for love?
What can audiences expect from your interpretation of Twelfth Night? Are there any unique twists or creative choices you’re especially excited about? This production is set in a fishing village by the sea — how does this setting enhance or reframe Shakespeare’s original story?
For a play so closely tied to the sea and to love, we’re setting our adaptation in an unknown fishing village and viewing the story through the eyes of a band of outsiders—our ensemble: an eclectic haul of fishermen who keep constant watch over both the play and the tides hoping to find ‘true love’s catch’. Having an ensemble of
awkward, yet kind-hearted fishermen, we hope to further highlight the vanity of the Count and Countesses’ lovelorn households. This year we are also double casting our lead roles, which will further explore the impact of gender in a play of disguises, as well as getting to enjoy more of our local talent.
How would you describe your approach to working with the Youth Ensemble and shaping a production together? What does a typical day in the rehearsal room look like for the young performers and creatives involved? (And how has it gone so far?!)
I always like to work physically and collaboratively with a large devising element to create bold stage pictures. We play games, explore exercises and workshop ideas to discover what work we like and the style of this year’s cast. Everyone in the company has been selected for their talent as a performer, but foremost for their interest in, and generosity with others in the room. I believe the best work comes from building a connected and committed company and I’m always heartened to see how strong friendships are forged as result of these productions year on year.
What do you think it means to the youth cast to perform at a venue as historic and prestigious as the Roman Theatre? What do you think it means to the youth cast to perform at a venue as historic and prestigious as the Roman Theatre?
Returning company members often talk about the professional production standards as well as their excitement for performing outdoors in this beautiful historic setting. Everything is ‘very live’ when performing outside, so you have to embrace the unpredictability of whatever the weather and the wildlife throw at you. Unlike indoor theatre, the audience are fully visible too, so you can see their reactions close-up. All these elements create a strong, shared collective experience that bonds the cast and makes each night unique. But beyond that, performing in such a historic setting brings a real sense of occasion, pride and memories for life.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this production?
Feeling entertained, excited for our next generation of actors and keen to get involved themselves! There’s so much joy and heart in Twelfth Night – it should feel like a fun night out. However, whilst we may long for the romantic love story in our own lives, this production seeks to celebrate the unlikely friendships and camaraderie we encounter along the way: those who accept us, stick by us and guide us through the storm.
Why do you think having a Youth Ensemble is particularly important right now, both for young people and for the wider community?
Our Youth Ensemble is incredibly important and its impact goes far beyond putting on a show. It is a space to nurture creativity, empathy and dedication as well as building self-confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. It’s a privilege to witness these young people grow up; further their performance skills; increase their self-belief and forge friendships across different schools, backgrounds and ages. At a time where teachers are stretched and curriculum drama is being reduced, youth theatre provides vital access to performance opportunities for young people whilst nurturing key life skills such as communication, problem-solving and collaboration.
Our ensemble is open to all – each member is selected on potential rather than background, experience or class.
Twelfth Night will be performed at the OVO Roman Theatre Festival from 27th-31st August in St Albans. For bookings, please click the link below.