Arcola Theatre and Jump Spark present Hunger, a new adaptation by Amanda Lomas from the novel by Knut Hamsun. Directed by Fay Lomas, this is a bold new adaptation of the psychological novel.
More than a century since the original novel captured the brutality of urban isolation, we ask how much has changed. Amanda Lomas fast-paced adaptation explodes Knut Hamsun’s tale about a mind on the margins.
With dreams of becoming a writer, a young man moves to the big city. In this unforgiving metropolis, friends are scarce and jobs are even scarcer. Once hunger rocks the core of his reality, how can his youthful spirit – and his sanity – survive?
The Artiscape spoke with Katie Eldred on her role in the play.
The play explores themes of isolation and homelessness. What attracted Aldred to the script?
Aldred: This play is unlike anything I’ve read before. It incorporates important themes, whilst focusing on human connections. I was drawn to the chance of playing multiple roles, and the freedom to ‘play’ that comes with it. It excites me to get into different people’s heads, and imagine what their perceptions of the world and the people in it would be.
How did Aldred research it?
Aldred: I read the book the play is based by Knut Hamsun a few times, as it gives a great deal of context and detail that’s extremely useful. I also looked at a lot of visual references and paintings that evoked the style we worked in.
Aldred plays Ylayali. We asked her to tell usabout her character and the challenges in playing it.
Aldred: Ylayali initially comes across as mysterious and aloof, however she is full of curiosity about the world. When she sees Young Man, she is transfixed by him, and deals with emotions she’s never addressed before. She is strong-willed, passionate, kind, and playful.
What other characters in the play interest her and why?
Aldred: The Landlady… She’s been beaten down by life yet gives The Young Man as many chances as she can. She’s like his tough-loving mother figure in the book and play, and their relationship is full of tension and unspoken resentments.
What does she think the audience will take away this production?
Aldred: I hope the audience feel an empathy for The Young Man’s situation. It’s a play that holds a mirror up to us all and makes us think about how we connect with one another.
Hunger runs at the Arcola theatre in London from 20 November – 21 December 2019.
