Ami Tredrea who will play the double roles of Shen Te/Shui Ta in ETT, Sheffield Theatres and Lyric Hammersmith’s new revival of The Good Person of Szechuan.
Marking the 80th anniversary of Bertolt Brecht’s popular play. Commissioned by ETT and co-produced by Sheffield Theatres, ETT and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, this new version by Nina Segal is directed by Sheffield Theatres’ RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau (Anna Karenina).
The Good Person of Szechuan is at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Saturday 11 March – Saturday 1 April 2023.
You’re starring in The Good Person of Szechuan at Sheffield Theatres and Lyric Hammersmith, what can you tell us about the play?
The Good Person of Szechwan, written by Nina Segal after Brecht, is set in a modern day city subjected to austerity where day to day life has become a fight for survival. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer, and three Gods are sent to earth to find a single good person.
What was it about Nina Segal’s new version of the play that made you want to be a part of it?
Nina‘s adaptation is seamlessly witty; she’s really shaped the play to make you both belly laugh and feel desperately sorry for some of the characters all within a few minutes. I was compelled by the way Nina fleshed out Shen Te/Shui Ta as a modern woman. Nina’s intention to have a predominantly East and South East Asian cast on stage was a massive reason as to why I wanted to be a part of this show – it’s a lovely and rare opportunity to work with loads of ESEA creatives both on and off stage.
Tell us a little more about your characters, what are you enjoying most about the roles?
Shen Te is living on the breadline and when we meet her she has been gifted a life changing sum of money for “being good”. We follow her throughout the play navigating this new world of money. When she realises that being a woman simply isn’t enough to get by, she disguises herself as Shui Ta. It’s incredibly fun jumping between the two and sometimes there’s only a matter of seconds to switch from one to the other. It’s not every day you get an opportunity like this!
And what do you think will be most challenging?
Keeping up with the fast rhythm of the play, whilst also making the story clear for the audience. An unfathomable amount of events happen within such a short space of time… I just hope I can do some of the quick changes!
What’s it been like working with director, Anthony Lau?
Anthony is a generous and collaborative director. His rehearsal rooms are full of energy and quite simply he just really cares about the story, about people and he wants the audience to care too. Anthony has made the rehearsal room a space where he is very open to hearing everyone’s suggestions and ideas, regardless of whether you are in the cast or not. He’s also very good at playing 9 square, so we get to start the day with plenty of games as a warmup which I love.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see The Good Person of Szechuan?
This play is an absolute whirlwind – there isn’t a moment that goes by without something completely bonkers happening. Nina’s adaptation is unpredictable and it constantly keeps you on your toes. If you’re wanting a night of chaos, karaoke, a giant rat, money laundering, love and heartbreak, then The Good Person of Szechwan will be the show for you. I mean, who doesn’t love karaoke?
‘The Good Person of Szechuan’ starring Ami Tredrea is at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield from 11 March – 1 April, www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and Lyric Hammersmith, London from 15 April – 13 May 2023, www.lyric.co.uk
