We chatted to Emily about starring in Ruthless – The Survival of Ruth Madoff, playing at the Arches Lane Theatre until the 29th June.
What can you tell us about Roger Steinmann’s new play? This is a fictional imagining of the lonely life of Ruth Madoff – wife of the infamous Bernie Madoff, Ponzi criminal of stolen and missing billions. We so often hear about the male protagonist, the so-called “main event,” but what is it like to be the wife – left alone, utterly alone? Two adult children, tragically dead. A husband of 60 years, dead. A legacy that will go down in history, alongside a trail of victims and lawsuits suspended in forever time.
Do we really know our lifelong sweetheart? Where was the perceived agency of the wife?Roger’s play is the drama of one woman – her ‘trauma’- as she processes flashbacks of her family life, interspersed with the devastating desert of her current, acute loneliness. Ruthlessis a one-woman play running at 80 minutes, punctuated by compelling scenarios, true facts from the Madoff scandal’s potted history, and slivers of tragicomedy to lighten the load. It speaks to the nature of an examined life. I guarantee you’ll leave the theatre pondering – at the very least. It packs a surprising punch and doesn’t forget to entertain too.
How has it been performing in the show so far? I’ve been increasingly likening it to getting on a horse and riding it for 80 minutes till we reach the finish.
At first, I was just staying on my faithful pony – now, six shows in, I’m getting adept at steering right and left. By the end of the run, I expect to be doing dressage and a spot of cross-country!
I had a month to learn the script, including a quick 10 – day turnaround trip to Phuket where writer/director Roger Steinmann resides. I knew that – for me – we had to get a locked script early. Get the show stood up, roughly, off the bat so I could get a grip and get the stirrups in place. The play is a big learn and an emotional workout.
It’s a heart-on-sleeve performance and I’ve been playing it to within an inch of my life. I’m the kind of actor who, if you’re going to get in the pool – get in the pool. This is no paddle in the shallows. Give the audience their time and money’s worth and we – all of us – may actually feel a bit different about life’s *boomerangs – at the end of the night. I reference Roger’s script on that and something Ruth says*.
What made you want to be part of the production?I remember when the Madoff scandal hit the headlines. Curiosity and potentially the sheer creative challenge of the gig. It’s quite a privilege to originate a real-life person on stage for the first time and in a world premiere. So we have Mr Steinmann to thank for that.
I’ve never sought- out a one-woman show ‘vehicle’ as an actor – and I took to it by doing it scared – even more with the tight timescales. But I trusted I had the personal commitment, passion, actor craft and some useful life experience to do it. Many actors might love the idea of doing a one-person show but would they have the guts to actually do it? I’m sorry but forgive me – I’m actually gifting myself a gentle pat there!
How do you see your character, Ruth?
I can’t judge the real-life Ruth. Nor am I doing an impersonation. Like many, I’ve seen her simply on the 60 Minutes documentary – steely, steady, but utterly vulnerable. She was a queen in New York, now dethroned to the lowest level of shame, humiliation and social exile. Roger’s writing captures this beautifully.
I play Ruth as strong, characterful – she is that all over the pages, determined – and inevitably broken, again and again. She’s a survivor, a toughie. And in Roger’s play, she gets a celestial opportunity for a reset. But we leave the theatre with a door left open to what that might truly be…
How does it feel to be performing at the Arches Lane Theatre?
If you love the industrial feel of The Bridge Theatre – this has that same visual vibe. I’m describing it to people as a ‘mini Bridge.’ It’s a cute 90 – seater playing space with a raked auditorium, and the riverside Battersea Power Station setting is truly delightful.
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets visit: https://www.archeslanetheatre.com/ruthless