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Joseph Potter on the upcoming revival of Philip Ridley’s Leaves of Glass
It’s been 16 years since Philip Ridley‘s Leaves of Glass was last in London so Park Theatre‘s upcoming revival is long overdue. And if that isn’t sufficient purpose to get excited for it, then it additionally stars Joseph Potter, who wowwed audiences for his one man efficiency in Ridley’s Poltergeist.
Which appeared a ok purpose to seek out a while to speak to Joseph in regards to the play, his function and fairly why Ridley’s work continues to be so wanted.
Hi Joseph, so what are you able to inform us about Leaves of Glass?
This is the primary time the play has been achieved professionally because it premiered at Soho Theatre over 15 years in the past – with a stellar forged together with Ben Whishaw and Maxine Peake. It’s a play about a lot and sits in a really completely different world to Philip’s different performs. For me it’s a play about household and their dynamics, how and what we assemble to be able to survive.
You are enjoying youthful brother Barry, what do we have to learn about him then?
I don’t need to expose an excessive amount of however Barry, for me, is the dynamite on the coronary heart of the household, he tries to reveal and drive in the direction of his reality – efficiently and unsuccessfully. He has his desires however to be able to obtain them he must rid himself of the shackles of his and his household’s previous.
You’ve carried out in various Philip Ridley performs, what’s it about his writing that retains drawing you again?
I personally don’t suppose there’s a extra visceral and particular author alive at the moment. Philip’s texts are at all times a present wrought with element, nothing is accidentally – his texts are a jungle that you’re continuously discovering.
Philip Ridley is thought for his surprising and “in-yer-face” model, will Leaves of Glass go away the viewers on edge and shocked at what transpires?
I don’t need to predict or management what the viewers might or might not really feel. I’ll say that this play is extraordinarily completely different, for me, to the remainder of Phil’s work – it’s contained inside a household dynamic that I believe everybody will perceive, and the potential for these ‘shocking moments’ in our personal lives at all times come from the folks we love most.
What is it that retains Ridley’s work so contemporary and related for an viewers then?
Despite Phil’s status as a pioneer of ‘in yer face theatre’, for me all of his performs are about love and every part that comes with it. That is one thing timeless. Sorry for the cliche reply…
You excelled in his one man play, The Poltergeist, which you first carried out in an empty theatre as a livestream (as a result of second lockdown). How was that have of performing to an empty room? And how did it evaluate if you lastly received to carry out the present to an precise viewers a 12 months later on the Arcola?
Nothing compares to being in entrance of an viewers, having that dialogue with new folks each night time is so particular… I believed I loved the Poltergeist first time spherical, after which I did it in individual and I remembered why I work in theatre.
The play is presently listed at 1 hour 40 with out interval, which is kind of a size and not using a break – is that this to keep up depth all through, which could be misplaced with an interval?
I’m unsure what our run time will probably be… I anticipate shorter. But the play is a lot about momentum, you might be watching these folks unravel, they don’t get a second to breathe… we need to share that with you and popping a break within the center, I don’t suppose so. Make certain you go to the bathroom earlier than since you gained’t need to miss a beat!
You’re additionally embarking on a brief tour (Guildford and Manchester), is there a distinct really feel if you carry out outdoors of London?
I haven’t carried out outdoors of London… BRING IT ON, I SAY. This is a play that we have to share with everybody. Come see!
Thanks to Joseph for locating the time to talk to us about Leaves of Glass. It opens at Park Theatre on 11 May, and performs till 3 June. Further info and bookings could be discovered right here.
Leaves of Glass may even play at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford 15 – 17 June and Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester 10 – 16 July.
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