“I’m loving discovering more about her every day during rehearsals”
Next month, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky, adapted from Patrick Hamilton’s classic novel, arrives at Southwark Playhouse Borough. The show, written by Patrick Hamilton and directed by Matthew Iliffe, follows three lonely people in London as they search for connection in the 1920s.
Recently, we had the chance to speak with Rosalind Lailey, who plays Ella Dawson in Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky. We discussed what made her want to be a part of the project, how she has prepared to take on the role of Ella Dawson and even what she hopes audiences will take away from the show as a whole.
How did you first get started in the world of theatre?
I started out at school and with dance, before joining the National Youth Theatre when I realised it was something I knew I wanted to do more of. I became totally hooked and later went on to train at Guildhall School of Music and Drama on their three-year acting course.
What made you want to be a part of Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky? Had you been familiar with the novel or the television series?
I first became interested in the project because I’ve really enjoyed the work of the company, Troupe – from their earlier productions like Dear Brutus, to recent successes like The Forsyte Saga – so I jumped at the opportunity to work with them. I’d heard of the television series, and Sally Hawkins, who plays my character, Ella, in that, is a real hero of mine!
Can you tell us a bit about the show and the role that you play, Ella Dawson?
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky follows the collective story of three Londoners in the late 1920s. We see how their lives intertwine; how they come together, clash and miss each other. Ella is a barmaid at the Euston pub, The Midnight Bell. She’s completely in love with her colleague Bob, but her life takes a turn when a new, much older customer, Mr Eccles, turns up. I don’t want to give too much away! But I’m loving discovering more about her every day during rehearsals.
What is it like performing in a show like Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky versus more classic plays like The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night?
I’ve approached my preparation for this in much the same way as for my last (very different) project, The Comedy of Errors at the Orange Tree Theatre for their Primary Shakespeare project – getting to know as much as I can about the world, the clues you get about what your character thinks about themselves and about others, what others think about them. And then bringing all of that into the rehearsal room to collaborate with the other actors, director, and creative team that you’re working with. It’s been brilliant for this production to have Patrick Hamilton’s novels as a source text, which are fascinating and addictive to read!
What do you hope audiences take away from Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky?
I think everyone in the audience will see themselves somewhere in this production – there is so much there for everyone in these characters’ needs, wants, attempts, disappointments . . . We’re performing in the round, so the audience will see and share in every part of them, even the bits they hope they’re managing to hide. I also hope the audience will come away with a new connection to London – the London of the late 1920s, which has so much in common with the London I know today.
How would you describe Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky in one word?
Tragi-comic.
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky runs from 16 September to 17 October at Southwark Playhouse Borough. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
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