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Assistant director for Southern Belles Aran talks to King’s Head Theatre about his experience in the rehearsal room.
It’s incredibly exciting that my first production as Trainee Resident Director has been to work on two ground breaking one-act plays by Tennessee Williams.
When I got the offer to join the King’s Head Theatre, I remember coming across Southern Belles and was so taken in by the production. I was hugely grateful when they told me I would be the assistant director. I love the work of Tennessee Williams but had never come across these plays before. Having the opportunity to work with a talented company of actors and creatives has allowed me to learn and develop through the work and ideas shared within the rehearsal process. Because Southern Belles is two one-act plays with separate casts, the energy of each rehearsal room has been very different. Something Unspoken has an air of quietness and calm in the room whilst And Tell Sad Stories of The Deaths of Queens has an energetic and playful atmosphere. I believe that this was due to the latter play being its second incarnation, with two actors returning to reprise their roles. Another benefit to staging two separate plays together was the parallels these stories share and how a spectator can draw the links between these two great works.
Tea Break! The weather was very nice during the rehearsal process so it was always nice to catch five minutes of sunlight. But aside from that, working on two separate plays at one time I have thoroughly enjoyed. The plays themselves speak so much depth and I truly believe that each spectator will perceive the work with their own interpretation. Having the opportunity to work on two plays with two separate casts is very rare and I really enjoyed being able to work with such a brilliant range of people.
And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens was never performed in Williams’ lifetime due to its openly gay characters and that’s why I think it is vital these stories are performed today – we can’t risk history repeating itself. Revivals are incredibly exciting – they give you the opportunity to explore what the playwright had originally intended but also to find the deeper meaning through Williams’ layered and harrowing subtext. Tennessee Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in American history and his plays are an exploration into love and desire through the tragic beauty of human relationships – it’s so relatable.
GRACE: Music? Dishonest?
CORNELIA: Completely! It “smooths things over instead of speaking them out…”
These lines speak so much more than what is actually spoken and if that’s not subtext at its finest then I don’t know what is!
This process has been my first professional casting procedure and I have learnt many lessons about casting moving forward. It is always great to meet actors from different backgrounds that have worked on different projects previously to this and understanding how their experience could shape the work you are trying to create.
I’m definitely more of a sorbet kinda guy, especially at this time of year. Who doesn’t feel refreshed after a Mango Sorbet?
Also By Kings Head Theatre:
What Do You Do? Artistic Director – Adam Spreadbury-Maher
Kings Head Theatre speaks to Sean Mathias about “A Prayer for Wings”
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about championing ethically produced fringe theatre, we are known for our challenging work and support of young artists. Last year 116,151 audience members saw a show of ours: 44,607 at our 110-seater home on Upper Street and 71,544 elsewhere. At our home in Islington we had 774 performances last year of 95 different shows. We are committed to fighting prejudice through the work we stage, the artists and staff we work with and by producing work for minority audience groups. We believe in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work; work we are passionate about. Last year we announced the theatre is on the move. Subject to a fundraising campaign, the King’s Head Theatre will move into a custom-built space in the heart of Islington Square, directly behind its current home securing the future of the venue for generations to come.
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