Interview: Jemima Rooper

Jemima Rooper is set to star as Sharon in new play Breeders, written by Ben Ockrent, directed by Tamara Harvey, from 3 September - 4 October at the St James Theatre. Angela Griffin and Tamsin Outhwaite also star.

Rooper as Sharon
for 'Breeders' 
(Photo: Johan Persson)

Roopers's career began playing tomboy George in the TV re-make of The Famous Five, and includes several lesbian roles along the way. "It's interesting, I've played a lot of lesbians..." she laughs, however in Breeders she's cast as the straight woman and feels "really jealous" of the fun Outhwaite and Griffin are having in their lesbian couple role. 

It's important to Rooper to find those "interesting female roles" and that over the span of her career it's been the case that they have tended not to be "traditional roles" and as such often been lesbian characters, demonstrating that there is still a gap in gender equality within TV, theatre and film.

Rooper joins new play Breeders fresh from a stint as Elvira in the Noel Coward Classic Blithe Spirit, the supernatural comedy that also starred Angela Lansbury, whose "energy and enthusiasm" following a seven-decade career, meant no cast member could rest on their laurels.

The bulk of Rooper's experience, though, is bedded in new writing, where there is a real opportunity to "shape a piece" and "form a character" but brings along the "nerve-wracking" sense of starting from scratch with no reference points for production, particularly when the story is as contemporary as same-sex parenting. 

Rooper with Nicholas Burns in rehearsals
(Photo: Anton Belmonte)

Breeders, Rooper promises, will offer a "fun evening" for regular theatre-goers, and also offers something for people who don't normally go to the theatre but who may decide to attend due to its universal "issues and themes" that will no doubt draw opinions from a lot of interested people. 

It's fundamentally about "family", she says, and having children, but contextualised within a modern situation through the exploration of how a same-sex couple chooses to start a family and make it happen.  

Rooper's role is that of the "outsider", who is not involved in starting a family. In fact she provides the counter-point to whether it's responsible to even have children at all, and that it should be "a choice", while her own life and relationship (as the girlfriend of the potential donor) are directly impacted by the couple-in-point's decision. 

The theatre is where these issues can be explored, through interesting characters and situations, reacting to the audience's response and Rooper hopes that the rehearsal process will translate well to stage as it has been a fun "hilarious, lovely" experience. 

Tickets for Breeders are available from St James Theatre Box Office.

By Katie

Interview: Theatre Director Amna Khwaja

Amna Khwaja is currently directing a gay themed theatre piece, The Wodehouse Principle, for Camden Fringe. 

How did you get into theatre directing? What is your background?

I knew I had an interest in Directing early in life. I would sit in my father’s office typing out scripts and then putting on a play with family members much to their dismay! 

After I graduated from university I headed straight to drama school where I participated in acting classes as well, I think it helps if you understand the mechanics of acting to be able to direct even if it is an awareness. 

I started working in the theatre from box office, to stage managing, to operating the lighting, producing my own show on an almost non existant budget! I trained at The Kings Head theatre which gave a thorough insight to a working theatre which also gave me the opportunity to assist on several shows. Most recently I completed a MA in Theatre Studies at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. I have directed and produced several shows on the fringe, the Etcetera Theatre, Soho Theatre, Soho Theatre, The Cockpit.

What project(s) are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a new production which I am quite excited about and cannot wait to get things going. The piece is called Raconteur and is LGBT themed, I cannot say too much at this stage but I will say that Quentin Crisp features! 

This will be opening during the Summer of 2015 in a London venue. I have directed and co produced The Wodehouse Principle which is currently showing from the 12th-15th August part of the Camden Fringe showing at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. (For tickets visit the Camden Fringe website)

What does theatre mean to you?
Theatre should be able to inform people to give the opportunity to question and to think differently about what they have seen. It is necessary for theatre to be accessible to all and to bring people who would not normally visit. 

There probably needs to be more education in schools and to organise more trips so children who may not necessarily go due to various social conditions or family financial restrictions are not devoid of the opportunity. The doors need to be open not limited to a select few.

Why is LGBT representation important in theatre?
LGBT theatre is important so we can break down the usual stereotypes of perception of gay people and that they function just as well as their heterosexual counterparts! Themes can be explored about what the LGBT community has to face on a daily bases and how those are dealt with, however not all is doom and gloom! It gives a community a safe void to express themselves and to be heard and what better a medium to do that in then theatre, it is there live and happening in front of you.
What would be your ideal production to work on?

Richard Brinsley Sheriden’s A School for Scandal, without a doubt, comedy, drama, intrigue , perfect!

Where can we find out more information?  
About Amna: www.intraverseproductions.com
About Camden Fringe: http://www.camdenfringe.com/  
Tickets for the Wodehouse Principle: http://www.camdenfringe.com/detailact.php?acts_id=542