Q&A with Rebecca Atkinson-Lord; Dead and Breathing
On 20 February–3 March
- The Albany
- Tuesday 20 February – Saturday 3 March, 7.30pm
- Suitable for : 13+
- BSL Interpreted performance: Thursday 1 March.
- TICKETS:£14
- CONCESSIONS:£10
- Book Here
What is your role in Dead and Breathing?
I’m the Director and Executive Producer. Which basically means that everything is my fault! I love the job because I get to do all the awesome creative stuff as director, and as Exec Producer I get to create a working environment that’s built on good values. It’s a real privilege to put together a team that I love working with and choose to stage the European premiere of a brilliant new play I’m really excited about.
What’s been the best thing about working on this production?
I love working with the creative team. They’re all so brilliant and inspiring. I’m also really proud that our team is 91% female. 2018 feels like the year of women, and it’s remarkable to see the way having a majority female team influences the working environment. It feels like an honour to be working with so many incredible creative women at the very top of their game.
I’m also really proud that our team is 91% female. 2018 feels like the year of women, and it’s remarkable to see the way having a majority female team influences the working environment.
What’s been the biggest challenge of working on this production?
The casting was quite tricksy. The script calls for two performers of very different, very specific ‘types’ – and of course it’s not enough just to cast to type, they need to be great actors too.
I was thrilled when Lizan Mitchell agreed to work with us, she’s a Broadway veteran with an awe inspiring career that’s featured some of my favourite shows. Having an actress from a show as iconic as The Wire in the rehearsal room is a pretty special thing.
It also feels pretty special to have Kim Tatum on board playing opposite Lizan. It was essential to me that we cast a trans woman in the role of Veronika because we need the truth of her experience in the room to help shape the show.
What 3 words would you use to describe the production?
Hilarious. Unexpected. Dark.
Why should audiences should come and see it?
Honestly, I think it’s a really good story that you just can’t see the like of anywhere else in the UK. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and unexpectedly moving.
The Albany, Deptford 