Interview: Hannah Millward on Here at Southwark Playhouse

Hannah Millward stars in Clive Judd’s Here, the winner of the 2022 Papatango New Writing Prize, directed by Papatango’s Artistic Director George Turvey.

Set in the West Midlands, Here is a tender, funny and utterly truthful story about family and feeling, performed by Lucy Benjamin (Monica), Mark Frost (Jeff), Sam Baker-Jones (Matt) and Hannah Millward (Jess). The ensemble of actors all have strong connections to the West Midlands.

The production opens on 15 November 2022 at The Large at Southwark Playhouse, with previews from 11 November, and runs until 3 December 2022.

You’re appearing in Here at Southwark Playhouse what can you tell us about the play?

For me, the play is about family in all its complexity. Everything from generational trauma to unconditional love.

What was it about Clive Judd’s award-winning script that really appealed to you?

The quality of the writing. I cried reading it, let alone saying the words out loud! It’s also very, very funny.

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Do you think this family-based drama can appeal to all sorts of audiences?

For sure; the themes in this play are universal. It’s very much a holding the mirror up to you kind of play, which is my kind of writing.

What’s it like having a cast with connections to the West Midlands, and what difference do you think it makes to the final production?

It’s brilliant. It’s just nice having a chat about home really! I think there’s a real affection for the West Midlands in Clive’s writing, which we share, and hopefully that will show!