Hi Anna, I’ve seen your new show, Lost Atoms – it’s fabulous – but for the sake of our readers, tell us about your new 2-hander that recently opened at The Lyric, Hammersmith.
Thank you! It’s a play that explores love, how it changes us and how we remember it. It also explores how our memory changes over time. A couple replay and relive the pivotal moment in their relationship to try to work out where it went wrong (and right.)
Lost Atoms uses the stage, light and electronic music in such a playful way. How much of this was in the original concept or did it come about later?
This show is a real collaborative effort and sound, lighting and design are massive components. Because we made this play together the design elements were in place from the beginning, Andrzej Goulding’s amazing set design grew with the script – and the script grew with the design. Lights and sound came a bit later but we were experimenting with sounds and music throughout the rehearsal process. I’m clueless when it comes to lighting but I love getting a bit involved in the music – and the creative team are absolutely amazing.
You’ve written on some huge blockbuster shows including; Succession, Killing Eve and most recently, Film Club. Any favourites?
Haha that’s tough. I’m really proud of all of them, obviously writing for the first season of Succession feels like the coolest thing in the world. I think I’m most proud of one of the episodes I wrote for One Day on Netflix – the adaptation of the beautiful David Nicholls book. It was the episode where Dexter goes raving and then goes to visit his mum on a massive come down. It was a really important episode to me, and quite personal, and Leo Woodall’s performance was incredible. Oh – I was responsible for Villanelle dressing up like a clown in season 3 of Killing Eve, which I was pretty proud of.
It must have been so fun writing all that caustic wit in Succession. There are so many quotable moments, any in particular that you were fond of/responsible for?
I’m fond of so many! I think my episode is pretty Tom and Greg heavy – and I think everyone loved writing them. I mean all the characters are amazing. In my ep the storyline about files revealing the cruise ship scandal began. I’m pretty sure it’s when Greg said ‘I feel like I might not like it in the death pit.”
You’re a West Londoner born and bred. Can you describe your perfect Sunday in the area? Any hidden gems we should know about?
I am – although I haven’t lived here for a long time! I grew up very near Waterman’s Arts Centre and I was gutted to see it’s closed. I went to LAMDA and trained as an actor so we spent a lot of time in The Curtain’s Up in Baron’s Court which I still like, and also the Spoons in Hammersmith! Love spending time at the Lyric, it’s such a gorgeous venue. And the Primark in the shopping centre is a banger!
Lost Atoms is on at The Lyric Hammersmith until February 28th.
For more info and tickets visit…
