Interview: George Kan

Varsity talks to the director of the Week One mainshow, Grief

by Varsity Theatre

Friday April 22 2016, 2:16am

Describe Grief in one sentence.

Set in 1957, Grief is gripping drama, biting humour and bleak tragedy all in one suburban living room.

What drew you to Grief?

Before I left I had to do a fourth wall drama.. One interior set that doesn’t change and a handful of characters. I think the ADC theatre is designed for it architecturally. It’s Cambridge’s heritage to produce these kind of fundamentally British plays. However, very few are being put on, which is a great shame. They allow for really brilliant acting and beautiful sets. Luckily, this production has both a phenomenal cast and design team. What’s so good about Grief is that it is not only an excellent play from one of Britain’s greatest writer-directors, but it is also a more modern take on the form. The scenes, for instance, are sometimes over 20 minutes long, while others are just a minute or two. The overall feeling is very, very filmic – it’s sharp and acutely observed.

Do you have a favourite moment from the play?

Too many. There are several moments when you just think “I recognise that”. Sometimes it’s hilarious, sometimes not so much. The play also opens out very slowly, as we begin to piece together who these characters are. So I don’t want to say too much. There is a great moment when the daughter is first offered alcohol.

How do you think the audience will react to the production?

The title makes it sound pretty grim. But it’s not all that. There is actually a lot of humour, especially from a few certain characters: a scene with some W.I. types is particularly great. The comedy is brilliantly observed. Ultimately, however, it is a tragedy. It’s what you’re paying for and it’s what you get. But it is an excellent one.

What is the main purpose of theatre?

In my experience, it comes down to the people. I will quote Kim Cattrall: “Theatre is immediate, it’s alive, you’re there with the audience, it can’t be done again and again and again and again, it’s organic.” Maybe there’s some truth there...

Grief will be on at 7:45pm, Tuesday 26th April - Saturday 30th April 2016, at the ADC

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