Directed by Jessica Lazar, the UK première of Lisa D’Amour’s Anna Bella Eema opens at Arcola Theatre 16 September – 12 October.
Precocious Annabella lives in a deserted trailer park. Schooled by her eccentric mother Irene, she learns to co-exist with the vampires, werewolves and monsters that lurk in the world outside. Desperate to ward off the new highway that threatens the demolition of their home, Annabella steps outside to build a girl out of mud. The girl comes to life. The girl is Anna Bella Eema.
The Artiscape spoke with Beverly Rudd, who plays One (Irene). Rudd played Lisa in the series Trollied and most recently appeared in Kneehigh’s Dead Dog in a Suitcase.
What attracted Rudd to the script?
Rudd: I love the challenge of the script. I’ve worked on a lot of physical theatre in the past, but I wanted my next project to be a text challenge – something with a rich, complex script and a part I can really get my teeth into.
I was also attracted to script because it requires me to play a part that I haven’t ever played before. I have never played anyone with mental health issues or someone who is a mum, or someone with this accent. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I think these are often the most rewarding jobs.
We asked Rudd if she relate in any way to the character she plays?
Rudd: Irene is a good storyteller, which I hope is something I can relate to. She can also have a tendency to brush off important issues and topics by telling jokes, laughing or making light of the situation, which is something I think I sometimes do. Home is also vitally important to Irene – she is definitely a homebody. I love my home too, it’s my safe place so that feeling is something I can definitely relate to.
What is she most looking forward to in performing in the play?
Rudd: My favourite section of the play comes at the end, when my character, Irene, turns into an animal to protect her daughter. It is also the first time that we see all the characters telling the story together. We all want the same thing as characters at that point in the play and it’s captivating to get to that point in the story.
Finally, we asked her what she felt an audience will love about this play?
Rudd: I think the play is hitting on topics that actually everyone can relate to. In particular, our animal instincts which don’t just come from Irene being a mum – she has very human reactions. Often when you’re backed into a corner you can lash out.
It’s a reaction to change, to being lonely and how to cope with that. I also think the play is very funny, it’s strange, it’s different. It also made me think about how, as a society, we are often so quick to judge people we see as outsiders. It’s a difficult show – not something that an audience can just sit back and watch.
I hope that people watch the show and feel challenged – that they come away from the play and feel something, even if they don’t quite know what that feeling is.
Anna Bella Eema opens at Arcola Theatre, London 16 September – 12 October.
