We chatted to Tom about starring in the London Classic Theatre touring production of Alan Ayckbourne’s Just Between Ourselves.
Hi Tom, what can you tell us about this production of ‘Just Between Ourselves’? The play was first created and produced by The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough in January 1976, which is the same month and year that the play is set, well at the beginning anyway. Almost 50 years later we’re taking it on the road to some incredible venues. The humans in the play are at times cringingly recognisable suburban characters – dealing, or more importantly not dealing with their struggles and relationships… The
humour often comes from the recognition of the way that couples relate to each other and other couples, and this very strikingly doesn’t seem to have changed over the years.
How does it feel to be part of this revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s play? I’ve always wanted to be in an Ayckbourn play, and when I read it I was excited by the complexity of thecharacter, and how he interacts so differently with his wife, his mother and relative strangers. There’s a lot at play.
How do you see your character Dennis? Dennis is essentially a good man – he’s doing his best to keep the ship steady. But in the process of this he’s not engaging with the emotional struggles that are brought to him. I think in one way it’s because he doesn’t know how to! He shut his emotions out I think when he was a boy. He doesn’t know how to engage with emotion – but he wants to help, but in his mind the only way to do that is with practical solutions. He’s also grieving for his father and he’s confined himself in his garage, his sanctuary, trying to live up to his memory.
What do you think audiences today can take away from the play? It’s very funny, and hopefully they’ll love the characters as much as they’ll want to shake them into seeing
sense! Especially Dennis. I would say it was a tragi-comedy, – at times as moving as it is funny.
What are you most looking forward to about taking ‘Just Between Ourselves’ out on tour? I love being on the road – exploring some parts of the country that I’m excited to return to as well as new areas. Getting out into the countryside with any time off is always a huge plus!
How does it feel to be working with the London Classic Theatre again? An absolute treat – Michael, the director, brings a lot of knowledge of the period (as I think Abigail’s Party is set in the same year) and it only helps us evoke the period and truthfulness of the world.
By Emma Clarendon
To find out more about the tour visit: http://londonclassictheatre.co.uk/2024/08/10/just-between-ourselves/