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Benedict Lombe’s play Shifters transferring from the Bush Theatre to the West End was a milestone moment: for the artists involved, the audiences they engaged, and the future of British theatre it will inspire. It offers a glimpse of what commercial theatre in this country could be. And as Bush audience members and supporters know,…

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Call out: tell us what you thought of Shifters

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Meet the Director: Jude Christian

Thu 30 Nov 2017 | Our Plays

We caught up with theatre director Jude Christian on her first day at the Bush in rehearsals for Parliament Square which premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, earlier in 2017.

She’s directed Lela & Co and Bodies both at the Royal Court and is an associate artist at the Gate Theatre.

  1. What compels you as a director?

Complexity, ugliness and messiness – shows which make me confused about how to think or feel. But also up-close moments of tender humanity. And confetti explosions.

  1. What attracted you to the script of Parliament Square?

I think my first experience of reading the script was the same as most people’s – it grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go until it spits you out the other side feeling exhilarated, furious and shell-shocked. I loved its form and the genuine heart in it.

  1. What was your starting point for directing the play? How did you approach it?

When we workshopped it we spent a lot of time thinking about how to tell the story physically – what the audience would be seeing as they heard the words, and whether they should feel inside or outside of the action at different moments.

  1. What does your process of rehearsals look like?

Lots of tea and cake and me going, “I don’t have a clue, let’s try this thing” and brilliant actors and collaborators coming up with brilliant things to try, until we all get to somewhere that feels coherent. Tech week is mostly just cake.

Esther Smith (Kat) in Parliament Square. Photo: The Other Richard

Esther Smith (Kat) in Parliament Square. Photo: The Other Richard

  1. Who is Esther’s character Kat for you? Tell me a little about her.

She’s an ordinary person who comes to believe that she should give her all in order to make much-needed change.

  1. How has this been different to other projects, say at the Royal Court, for you?

I haven’t been so heavily involved in the development of a play from so early before; I’ve been working with James [Fritz] for over a year and the script has evolved a lot in that time – as have the politics of the world we’re living in.

  1. What change do you want to see in the world? Is there power in protest?

A thorough, humane dismantling of capitalism and the patriarchy would be a nice start. Wouldn’t mind losing the monarchy while we’re at it. There is immense power in protest but it can’t be a part time thing; we’ve got to be willing to make personal sacrifices for the things we believe in.

  1. How are you juggling the Lyric Hammersmith pantomime and this – a protest piece?

They both feel politically charged in different ways. I wouldn’t say Parliament Square is the most cheerful show I’ve got on offer this Christmas! But I think the subject will chime with a lot of people’s consciousness right now.

  1. What songs would you put on a Parliament Square playlist?

Maybe Where is the Love by the Black-Eyed Peas but mainly because it’s such a good BLM march song. All of The Hope Six Demolition Project by PJ Harvey, probably. I listened to I’ll Be Seeing You by Abbey Lincoln a lot during the design process.

You can catch Parliament Square 30 Nov – 6 Jan. Check the listing page for details of timings over the Christmas period. Come and cosy up in our gorgeous Reading Room with a mulled wine and minced pie before the show.