The Playboy of the Western World
Presented by Southend Shakespeare Company
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
TUE 25 - SAT 29 February 2020
Presented by Southend Shakespeare Company
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
TUE 25 - SAT 29 February 2020
A small, isolated community on the west coast of Ireland is rocked by the arrival of a charismatic stranger on the run from the police. As Christy Mahon becomes embroiled in the society he has disturbed, tensions mount amongst the long-standing citizens. But how will Christy fare when his lies are brought to light? A darkly comic tale of love, rivalry and, above all, the power of a good story.
The Playboy of the Western World comes to Southend's Dixon Studio this February and Southend actress, Ali Graves, will be playing the role of Pegeen. Here's what she has to tell Southend Theatre Scene about the play, her career and singing French songs to the elderly!
The Playboy of the Western World comes to Southend's Dixon Studio this February and Southend actress, Ali Graves, will be playing the role of Pegeen. Here's what she has to tell Southend Theatre Scene about the play, her career and singing French songs to the elderly!
Interview with Ali Graves
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
I have a big family and we are equal parts really into drama and not at all interested. I grew up listening to the soundtracks of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar from my brothers and sisters rooms, and my sister Helen was in an SSC production of The Crucible when she was a teenager.
Have you done any formal theatre or musical training?
I studied Musical theatre at AMDA in LA and New York. I worked as an actor and cabaret performer whilst over there and have continued to do lots of interesting projects since.
Do you do any accents or impressions?
I have a few accents that I keep in my back pocket. Unfortunately for this play, Irish isn’t one of them so I’ve had to learn this completely from scratch. I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube clips of Aisling Bea (Stand-up comic and actress) and the Rubber Bandits (an Irish comedy duo from Limerick famous for wearing plastic bags on their heads and making strange music videos). We also had amazing input from our accent coach for the play – Jen Puddick. A great tip that stuck with me was to keep the accent moving like the rolling hills of Ireland! She was really great at helping with the technical breakdown of it all, helping with placement and getting familiar with the sounds and shapes of the accent.
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your theatre career?
Probably creating and hosting Cabaret Sauvignon. It’s a show that has been a chance for me to get really creative and playful on stage. Ali (James) and I sing numbers throughout the evening and bring on different acts from magic to comedy and everything in between. The shows have always been about hosting a fun evening of amazing local talent.
I have a big family and we are equal parts really into drama and not at all interested. I grew up listening to the soundtracks of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar from my brothers and sisters rooms, and my sister Helen was in an SSC production of The Crucible when she was a teenager.
Have you done any formal theatre or musical training?
I studied Musical theatre at AMDA in LA and New York. I worked as an actor and cabaret performer whilst over there and have continued to do lots of interesting projects since.
Do you do any accents or impressions?
I have a few accents that I keep in my back pocket. Unfortunately for this play, Irish isn’t one of them so I’ve had to learn this completely from scratch. I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube clips of Aisling Bea (Stand-up comic and actress) and the Rubber Bandits (an Irish comedy duo from Limerick famous for wearing plastic bags on their heads and making strange music videos). We also had amazing input from our accent coach for the play – Jen Puddick. A great tip that stuck with me was to keep the accent moving like the rolling hills of Ireland! She was really great at helping with the technical breakdown of it all, helping with placement and getting familiar with the sounds and shapes of the accent.
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your theatre career?
Probably creating and hosting Cabaret Sauvignon. It’s a show that has been a chance for me to get really creative and playful on stage. Ali (James) and I sing numbers throughout the evening and bring on different acts from magic to comedy and everything in between. The shows have always been about hosting a fun evening of amazing local talent.
Ali with Ali James performing in their self penned, Cabaret Sauvignon show
Who is the most inspirational person you have worked with/been taught by, in your stage career?
I have had the absolute honour of working with one of my best friends, Ali James, for several years. Together we created and hosted Cabaret Sauvignon, and I have worked with her on Oh Yes It Is! The Improvised Pantomime and Southend’s 24 Hour Improvathon. I’ve also been taught improv by her and she is a wonderful teacher. She is a JOY to work with; I’ve never met anyone more dedicated and hardworking, a true inspiration.
When was your most embarrassing theatrical moment on or off stage?
I still cringe when I remember falling over in a dance number once. As I hit the ground a friend wooshed in behind me and dragged me off making it look like it was part of the show. We had 30 seconds in the wings before we were due back on again where she gave me a little pep talk to get straight back on and finish the number, because she didn’t want me to lose my bottle. I did get back on and it was a kind of sexy-ish number around a boy and I had tears coming down my face from the shock of it all as I danced.
What do you do for a living?
Currently I work singing in care homes, which involves singing 1920s – 60s songs, and I teach yoga and dance. I’m also in my final year of a degree in Psychology and Sociology. I’m planning on hitting the road in a campervan this summer for a UK tour of entertaining in care homes.
Has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage roles?
I use some of the songs I learnt for Peter Finlay’s L’Occupation in my care home set. I played a 1940’s cabaret singer for the show and had to learn a bunch of French songs from that era. They always go down a treat, I paint the picture for the residents by telling them there were lots of feathers involved and I wasn’t wearing much!
Tell us about your current production of The Playboy of The Western World.
The play was so risque when it first premiered in 1907 that there were riots at the theatre. I don’t think it’s going to be quite as shocking for modern audiences but I can say it’s in equal parts funny, touching, and thought provoking. You fall in love with each of the characters for their strengths and short-comings, and their earnest and slightly twisted ways of looking at the world.
I have had the absolute honour of working with one of my best friends, Ali James, for several years. Together we created and hosted Cabaret Sauvignon, and I have worked with her on Oh Yes It Is! The Improvised Pantomime and Southend’s 24 Hour Improvathon. I’ve also been taught improv by her and she is a wonderful teacher. She is a JOY to work with; I’ve never met anyone more dedicated and hardworking, a true inspiration.
When was your most embarrassing theatrical moment on or off stage?
I still cringe when I remember falling over in a dance number once. As I hit the ground a friend wooshed in behind me and dragged me off making it look like it was part of the show. We had 30 seconds in the wings before we were due back on again where she gave me a little pep talk to get straight back on and finish the number, because she didn’t want me to lose my bottle. I did get back on and it was a kind of sexy-ish number around a boy and I had tears coming down my face from the shock of it all as I danced.
What do you do for a living?
Currently I work singing in care homes, which involves singing 1920s – 60s songs, and I teach yoga and dance. I’m also in my final year of a degree in Psychology and Sociology. I’m planning on hitting the road in a campervan this summer for a UK tour of entertaining in care homes.
Has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage roles?
I use some of the songs I learnt for Peter Finlay’s L’Occupation in my care home set. I played a 1940’s cabaret singer for the show and had to learn a bunch of French songs from that era. They always go down a treat, I paint the picture for the residents by telling them there were lots of feathers involved and I wasn’t wearing much!
Tell us about your current production of The Playboy of The Western World.
The play was so risque when it first premiered in 1907 that there were riots at the theatre. I don’t think it’s going to be quite as shocking for modern audiences but I can say it’s in equal parts funny, touching, and thought provoking. You fall in love with each of the characters for their strengths and short-comings, and their earnest and slightly twisted ways of looking at the world.
Below: Ali in rehearsal
Which actor do you most admire and why?
I have a real admiration for strong older female actors; Julie Walters, Helen Mirren, Alison Steadman, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep to name a few. I love that they have had longevity in their career and have paved way for women outside of just the young ingénue.
Any tips to pass on for learning your lines?
Repetition, repetition, repetition! I’m the crazy lady muttering to myself in the car, on the bus, walking down the street. Pegeen, my character, is known for being quite bad tempered at times so I look even more angry than usual when out and about.
Any other tips?
Less tricks of the trade and more a reminder of what has helped me most that’s been passed on to me – know the work, listen well and connect with your fellow performers.
I have a real admiration for strong older female actors; Julie Walters, Helen Mirren, Alison Steadman, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep to name a few. I love that they have had longevity in their career and have paved way for women outside of just the young ingénue.
Any tips to pass on for learning your lines?
Repetition, repetition, repetition! I’m the crazy lady muttering to myself in the car, on the bus, walking down the street. Pegeen, my character, is known for being quite bad tempered at times so I look even more angry than usual when out and about.
Any other tips?
Less tricks of the trade and more a reminder of what has helped me most that’s been passed on to me – know the work, listen well and connect with your fellow performers.
Tickets available online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or box office 01702 351135