Catrin Stewart plays Marion in Rose Theatre Kingston, The Original Theatre Company and Karl Sydow’s production of the first major revival of Stephen Jeffreys’ Valued Friends, directed by Michael Fentiman.
Valued Friends is a compelling comedy drama set to the soundtrack of 1980s London and against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain. Stephen Jeffreys’ play was an instant classic when first performed at Hampstead Theatre in 1989. It won the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright.
Valued Friends, starring Catrin Stewart, opens at Rose Theatre Kingston on 26 September, with previews from 20 September, and runs until 12 October.
You’re appearing in Valued Friends at Rose Theatre Kingston, what can you tell us about it?
It’s a brilliant play that should be seen again after 30 years. Stephen has written strong, funny, flawed and distinctive characters who are trying to navigate change within themselves and their relationships, in the ever changing world around them.
It’s about friendship, resisting change and yearning for the past and their youths. A need to move forward and keep up with what society tells you, growing up and growing apart, how money changes people and causes fractures in relationships and ultimately whether money, wealth and getting what you think you want, makes you happy.
What first attracted you to this play?
I really liked the characters and the fact that I could relate to them and their circumstances. I was drawn to Marion as she had many layers and I’ve not played a character like her before, so it would be a challenge. I’d heard of Stephen and his work and this felt like an exciting opportunity to be a part of his legacy and to work with Michael the director.
How would you describe your character?
Cool, contained, likes to be in control, determined, sharp, powerful, driven, confident, a realist, a closed book who doesn’t like to show her emotions and vulnerabilities, unfulfilled, lonely.
It’s set in 1980, why do you think the themes are still relevant today?
The Conservative government are in power, the struggles that young people have to get on the property ladder, recession, consumerism, greed, economic disparities, rising house prices, social, political and cultural change. These are all still relevant to today.
What have you enjoyed most about being back in 80’s Britain?
The music, the costumes, Sam Frenchum’s tash and I read a really good book called ‘There’s no such thing as society.’
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see Valued Friends?
Come on down to Kingston! You can have a lovely walk and drink along the river before coming to see a great comedy drama with some great tunes. I think it will surprise audiences. It certainly surprised us in rehearsals.
