We chatted to Tamara about starring in The Moors at The Hope Theatre.
Hi – could you explain a bit more about what The Moors is about? The Moors is a gothic (and quite surreal) Comedy-Drama, set in a large mansion in the middle of the
desolate and bleak moors. We follow a newly employed governess who arrives at the household to care for a child. When she arrives, she is met by two strange sisters and the rest of their unorthodox family unit, but there is no child in sight. It’s a gripping story that takes you for a ride through every single one of its characters. Be prepared for everything to get turned on its head.
What made you want to be part of this production? I’ve always been a fan of shows that are a little bit outlandish, so a punky Period Piece/Dark-Comedy sounded like a dream first job! Ultimately, I could see there was a lot of fun to be had with the script, and especially with Marjory. I also loved how rebellious and female-driven the play feels, with their narratives dealing with ambition, legacy, and desire.
What were your first impressions of the play when you first read it? Snappy and spooky are the first words that come to mind. It was such a fun read. I remember being
enamoured by the interweaving of the household and the characters – both human and animal. Not a word is wasted in this play, and everyone has a solid driving force. You can’t help but get sucked into the world very quickly.
Could you tell me more about the character you play? Marjory (or Mallory, depending on which room she is in) is the long-suffering maid of the house. When we first meet Marjory, she is pretty much rotting away inside this ancient home – fed up with everything and everyone. There is a feeling that she is really at the bottom of the barrel or “down- trodden”, as Jen Silverman puts it, but there is also a hungry side to Marjory, which gets explored a bit more as the play progresses.
How do you feel about bringing The Moors to the Hope Theatre? I’m so excited! It’s been a lot of fun rehearsing with everyone – teasing out the characters and testing
the staging. The Hope Theatre is a black box theatre space, so the set should feel super immersive for all of us – both cast and audience. I’m intrigued to see how the audience responds to the setting because they will definitely be part of the world of “The Moors” as soon as they sit down.
What can audiences expect when they come to see the show? I think the audience can expect an enticingly eerie evening of entertainment, very fitting for the time
of year. There will be laughs and intrigue, and they’ll definitely want to go along for the journey.
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets for the production visit: https://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/the-moors/