We caught up with Yasmin to discuss the UK tour of Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her).
Hi Yasmin, could you tell us what audiences can expect from Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with a man that used to hit her)? Audiences can really expect a non-linear multi-emotional journey through the eyes of Patricia Williams. We all wonder what bumping into your ex would be like, what if that person is the aggressor of the trauma you are recovering from?
What did you think off Martha Watson Allpress’s play when you read it? I was actually an audience member at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, so my first time experiencing of
the play was witnessing Kaleya Baxe’s direction and Angie Chudi’s portrayal of Patricia. I both laughed and cried out loud and was deeply moved by Martha’s Writing. When I first received the
script, reading it allowed me to remember the depth and find different layers and opportunities for whoever Patricia is now I have the chance to fill her shoes.
How do you see the character Patricia? I think Patricia is a fully fleshed woman, a multi-faceted human being. She is light, she is fun, she is intelligent, she is messy, she is learning, and she also is recovering from a traumatic abusive relationship. Martha has incredibly managed to destroy any pre-conceived notions of what ‘the abused woman’ looks like as there isn’t only one answer or one journey and Patricia fully embodies that.
How does it feel to be part of this production? I am really passionate about the work I do within theatre being a tool for social change but not in a TED-talk ‘I’m here to tell you this’ way; and Patricia wholeheartedly is this. The issues within the show have to be handled with great care and the team working on this production do so each day, even bringing a well-being practitioner on board.
What do you think audiences will take away from the play? I think every audience member will connect to the story in a different way as even without going through the specifics of what Patricia has been through, there are some very resonating words. We really have no idea what every person, beside us or in front of us is battling and because Patricia is a person still moving through the world like everyone else, with all this going on inside her mind, I really believe it will make audiences remember that.
How does it feel to be taking the show on tour? Touring is incredible, it is one of my favourite things about being an actor. To make sure a show you believe and care about so much is reaching different cities and communities is so important. I just thank the team for trusting me.
By Emma Clarendon
Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her) will open at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester on the 10th May before continuing to tour. To find out where else the play is heading to visit: https://linktr.ee/patriciagetsready