Jake Mace
Kit Green is performing in Tabby Lamb’s upcoming play The Law of Mayhem – tracing the true stories of Roberta Cowell and Michael Dillon, the first people to undergo gender affirming surgeries in the UK in 1949. The duo met for the first time in Basingstoke and parted ways forever after the process they went through together, and Lamb’s magically realist show reimagines their stories through the unique lens of aerial circus.
The play is to be performed at The Haymarket in Basingstoke, presented by stalwart local company Proteus and under the creative direction of Mary Swan. The show will feature a trans and non-binary majority cast. We caught up with Kit, who will play Roberta in the show, to find out more about what drew her to the project and how the development has gotten on so far.
You can catch The Law of Mayhem at The Haymarket, Basingstoke between September 18th and 20th at 7:30pm (Saturday 20th matinée also at 2:30pm). Tickets are available through the Anvil Arts website.
Jake: Hi Kit – The Law of Mayhem is Tabby Lamb’s upcoming piece exploring the lives of Michael Dillon and Roberta Cowell. Can you tell us about what drew you towards this project?
Kit: Tabby and I had been talking for a while about collaborating or them writing something for me to be in and I just thought this was the perfect vehicle for that. A couple of years ago I was part of developing Roberta’s story for BBC Radio 4 which didn’t end up happening but it meant that I knew a lot about Roberta already and was already thinking about how I might play her so it felt like it was meant to be in some way.
Jake: You are portraying Roberta Cowell; can you tell us about your process in characterising this role and your experience of portraying a real person from history?
Kit: Two years ago I played another trans person from history, Ewan Forbes. He was a trans man, it was a very complicated story and I really enjoyed that process. He brought a very famous case in the 60s and won it, he was a real trail blazer. I think what I’ve tried to do with this is always stick to the script, obviously look at archive, read her autobiography, but really its always a question of bringing yourself to the character and then bringing the character to you and seeing what the overlap is rather than bringing a direct impersonation. Especially with someone who isn’t known, it’s not like playing the Queen. Its about bringing myself to Roberta.
Jake: The show uses magical realism and aerial circus – can you give us any insight into what it has been like working with those elements in the rehearsal room?
Kit: Its been a real thrill to start with the physical instead of just the intellectual. I have many years of experience working with round circus and circus skills from shows like La Clique and working with the Royal Circus School, but I’ve never done those things myself so this has been great. Pushing myself physically has been great.
I think the point to the movement elements is they demonstrate things that can’t always be put into words, and so much of this story is hard to articulate because its so nuanced and particular so I really hope people will enjoy those elements.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Kit: Generally I hope the audience will learn about a piece of history they didn’t know about yes, but really this is a story about everyone. This is a story about living a life, about living a life well, its a story about self actualisation. It’s a story about falling in love, the impossibility of love, how we use each other how we use the people we love and it’s a story about looking back and how you own your own narrative and how that changes over the years. What I’m saying is that it is a trans story, but its a story for everyone because we all go through those processes.
Jake: The show explores a previously less known true story from trans history, what do you think is the significance of why this story is being told now?
Kit: We are in a time of crisis and its probably going to get more intense in this country in the coming months. I think anything that allows us to look at things from a slightly different perspective is going to be really helpful during this time. We need to extract what we can from history and see what it has to teach us, especially at moments like this, moments of crisis.
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if the show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Kit: If there was going to be any beverage I would say probably Roberta would prefer a very expensive, very dry Sherry, probably mid into late afternoon out of a very lovely cut glass. Something sophisticated like that is very Roberta. Cheers!
A reminder, you can catch The Law of Mayhem at The Haymarket, Basingstoke between September 18th and 20th at 7:30pm (Saturday 20th matinée also at 2:30pm). Tickets are available through the Anvil Arts website.
Image Credit: Ben Wulf
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
