What is the use of the elevator for Anthem?
These are two black men who meet during the funeral and realize that they have more in common than they imagined. They get to know each other and fall in love – family and platonic love – then tragedy strikes.
The play made its debut in London in 2021. How much did it change for Chicago?
The basic story is the same, but there are many more changes than I imagined. I spent a week in Chicago, where the Chicago Shakespeare theater implemented with a black community of average age in Chicago. I met people, I went to church, to museums; I walked certain districts and I looked at the accommodation and the parks. He turned very well in this city.
Have you noticed that the breed is experienced and perceived differently in each culture?
There is a story in the room where two cars face each other; The white driver of a car refuses to move, and the black driver of the opposing car comes out to say: “Excuse me, please move”, and the white woman says: “You are aggressive.” In England, you can be ignited and furious, but you come back down and simply go: “Let's go.” It just wouldn't be like that in America. You don't swallow it; There would be much more confrontation.
How about the differences between the people of the British and American theater?
In the United States, the theater feels very hard, very qualified … and while waiting for instructions. In England, I think it's more disjointed, like: “Hey, should we try this?” It's a little more loose on the edges.
What is your first theatrical memory?
I was 6 years old, in an assembly at school on the subject of friendship. Our sketch was that I was an old lady and that two boys overthrew my stores, then I came back and helped me take everything. We really went there. I brought my mother's coat and a lot of empty boxes and boxes and things in plastic bags. I think it had to be hilarious. I thought: “Oh, I like it.”
(Photo of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
What is the last experience you had that reminded you of why you do this?
In December, I made a 10 -day trip that took me to Mumbai for the end of the visit to the British company of British Pi life; Seeing the show in front of an Indian audience in the heart of India was really special. A few days later, I flew to Baltimore, where the American company, which had just come together, opened its doors Pi life Hippodrome. It was extraordinary to watch the show on two different continents.
What advice did you receive mentors that have stayed with you?
I wrote a treatment for Red velvetMy first room, on the actor Ira Aldridge. I knew Kenneth Branagh a little and asked him to read it. He gave me the most incredible notes. When I look at it, this treatment was only an endless flow of facts; It was not a story at all. But he was really encouraging, and some of the suggestions he made to me last in the room I wrote for years later. Someone's encouragement of this meaning has really made a difference.
If you could give your younger advice, what would it be?
Stand. Let no one feel little – without a doubt no one.
Finish this sentence: it's not theater unless …
It's nice. My motto is: pleasure, not endurance.
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