Speaking for a Generation - new play by Debbie Tucker Green
Whenever I hear that playwright Debbie Tucker Green has a new production out I make a special effort to see it. Not just because her style of writing makes me perch literally on the edge of my seat inhaling every beautifully crafted word. But also because she never flinches from what some would term ‘controversial’ issues. From domestic and sexual abuse to perceptions of Africa and sex tourism, Tucker Green has tackled them all. Now with her new play Generations she addresses issues of death and the ‘crisis of absence’ inflicted onto so many families around the world.
While the notoriously elusive Tucker Green was not available for interview, I did manage to speak to Michelle Austin and Heshima Thompson who star in play – and also happen to be instantly recognizable TV actors.
AE: So, Generations..I was given the script to read and must admit I was a bit puzzled…
MA: Yeah, Debbie’s plays are like that. She writes in a particular way, a very poetic way that is so different when performed to how it appears on the page.
HT: I must admit that when I read it at first I didn’t understand it either. I read it through and didn’t know what I should think. Then it was explained to me and it all fell into place.
MA: Ultimately it is a play about a family being destroyed. It is about family infrastructure being destroyed. It also looks at how we pass on memories.
HT: When you see it on its feet you will get it. Then there is the music too there’s a 14-strong South African gospel choir.
MA: Yeah the music adds a whole other level.
AE: Michelle, you recently left The Bill, as Yvonne Hemmingway you developed quite a popular character, will you miss it?
MA: I will certainly miss the people - I won’t miss the hours though. And we spent so much time on location running across fields..
AE: Why do you think your character became so popular?
MA: The writers went a long way in developing the character. At first I was just the one driving the car, one of the boys. But they really developed the role; in the end I even had two boyfriends.
AE: Heshima you recently had a great role in Prime Suspect: The Final Act
MA: Yeah didn’t you get shot on the toilet?
AE: And there was BabyFather and Spooks, how did you get into acting?
HT: I actually started on TV in the BBC documentary Heart of Harlesden. I was singing, that’s another thing I do, I’ve just finished an album actually. Anyway the director of Baby Father spotted me and sought me out. I went on to do two series of the show.
AE: Just a couple of years ago, whenever I spoke to black actors they were mostly complaining about the roles they were getting – or weren’t getting. You guys seem so positive, have things changed?
MA: It is getting a lot better for black actors, even when you are playing a mugger these days it is an interesting mugger. Compared to how it was it is exciting, though of course there is still a long way to go.
HT: Personally if I look at the last 6 or 7 years I have been quite busy. Though I would still like to see more detail, we need more central characters.
MA: The producers of The Bill are great. They make sure there are black people in lots of different roles. Holby City does the same. The thing is anyone wanting to get into acting has to be prepared to be proactive. You can’t expect opportunities to just turn up, you have to get involved. Stability is not brilliant; believe me I have had some cold, cold times. Luckily I have done very well. But after the film Secrets and Lies I didn’t work for a year.
AE: If you could create your own roles what would you be doing?
MA: Wouldn’t it be great if there was a good sit-com with black actors? Something along the lines of the Royle Family, I’d like to be in something like that. But I’d also like to be in an action film, with lots of running and explosions.
HT: Spooks was great for that, all the running about action scenes. Personally I’d like to play a Will Smith type role. From Fresh Prince onwards, I love what he does. A family entertainer, I’d like to be like that.
Generations is showing till 10 March 2007 at the Young Vic Theatre
Tickets and information 020 7922 2922
www.youngvic.org
posted by Andrea Enisuoh @ 1:18 PM
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