Award-winning performer Amara Okereke stars in Echo, a gripping psychological thriller by Susan Eve Haar, opening at the King’s Head Theatre this July. Known for standout roles in My Fair Lady and Spring Awakening, Okereke brings emotional depth and nuance to this haunting new production.
Directed by Abigail Zealey Bess, Echo explores the ethics of reproductive technology, the performance of intimacy, and the echoes of past trauma. Set in a surreal B&B across two timelines, the play promises a bold, thought-provoking theatrical experience.
Echo runs from 18 July to 17 August 2025 at the King’s Head Theatre. Tickets are available now at kingsheadtheatre.com.
You’re starring in Echo at the King’s Head Theatre – what can you tell us about the show?
Without giving too much away, I would describe the play as an, at times, disturbingly provocative, uncomfortably funny and deeply human case study on the functions and dysfunctions of maintaining relationships with complexed and traumatised people in complex and traumatising circumstances.
Echo explores identity, intimacy, and the ethics of reproductive technology. What drew you to this role?
On first read, I was immediately drawn to this character as she felt so heavily led by emotions and impulses rather than logic, which felt fitting as it seemed the world around her started to become increasingly illogical. She felt nothing like any character I’d ever played before and I was so eager to try to explore and understand her.
The play spans two timelines and blends psychological thriller with surrealism. How did you approach preparing for such a layered performance?
I didn’t want to approach the play too analytically and get too lost in the philosophy of the message, so I started by reading the play over and over again and trying to find moments where I felt I could personally connect with the character and their situations.
I found that despite the surrealist nature of some of the circumstances they face, the underlying core, when it came to the objective of these people and obstacles they faced, felt very real and approachable. Overall, it just came down to understanding why these people do what they do and what the consequences of their actions do to them psychologically, physically and the ambiguity of all of those things combined and then trusting that the rest will come with audience interpretation.
You’ve worked on major productions like My Fair Lady and Spring Awakening. How does Echo compare to your past roles?
I’ve been extremely lucky in my career to have worked on vastly different stages and productions, but the intimacy of this play and this particular venue is something I’ve never experienced before.
The writing, direction and design are created for an audience to get a very ‘fly on the wall’ type of experience, and even reading the play, I felt like I was learning more about my character than I should be allowed to know.
So with that in mind, being on the inside of it all, it feels less like a performance and more of a lucid dream. There’s a freedom and a riskiness to being in a world that allows you to get so lost and often forget there is even an audience there, and that has been extraordinarily fun and so different to anything I’ve done before.
What has it been like working with director Abigail Zealey Bess and your co-star Kyle Rowe on this production?
It has been a thrill and a blessing to work with Abigail and Kyle on this play. Abigail has such an untamed enthusiasm and a beautifully wild sense of creativity that not only perfectly complements Susan’s writing but allows for such an open and free space to explore.
Being able to then explore so openly with such a fantastically talented and generous actor such as Kyle has been such a joy. I feel like Kyle and I work and discover in such similar ways that it felt impossible not to feel connected to him throughout the whole process. It can be difficult to let yourself be free with such vulnerable and exposing writing, especially with such a short rehearsal process (2 weeks!), but having such a brilliant actor and director and, more importantly, genuine, kind and caring people, alongside you, makes all the difference.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Echo?
I would say if you are thinking of booking to see Echo, prepare to be uncomfortable, allow yourself to ease into the discomfort and come with an open mind. As chaotic and surreal as the story might seem, it’s actually not so far away from the world we live in today, so be open to indulging in the philosophical conundrum the story takes you through.
