James Phoon stars in Underdog: The Other, Other Brontë, an irreverent retelling of the life and legend of the Brontë sisters at the Dorfman theatre.
Underdog: The Other, Other Brontë, is a new play from Sarah Gordon (The Edit) in co-production with Northern Stage and directed by their Artistic Director Natalie Ibu. The cast includes Rhiannon Clements (Hollyoaks), Adele James (Queen Cleopatra) and Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) as the formidable Brontë trio as they navigate the sibling power dynamics that shaped their uneven rise to fame.
Underdog: The Other, Other Brontë is at the Dorfman Theatre 27 March – 25 May 2024
You’re appearing in Underdog: The Other, Other Brontë at The National Theatre, how would you describe this new play?
Firstly, it is a lot of fun! Underdog is a vibrant retelling of the Brontë’s own story, told through Charlotte’s lens. Whether you are an avid fan, or totally new to them as I was, Underdog welcomes you in and takes you on the journey of support, competition and ambition of these icons.
What was it about Sarah Gordon’s script that made you so keen to be part of this production?
Immediately, I related to who these people are. Sarah has so perfectly captured the sibling dynamic of lifting each other up with one hand, whilst digging each other in the ribs with the other. But more than that, the script riled me up with its reflection of societal norms and the constraints we have to navigate in order to survive with any ounce of authenticity.
This show specifically portrays the female experience of self-determination in 1800s Britain – but it’s entirely relevant to the constraints we still face in 2024.
You’re playing Branwell Brontë, tell us a little about the character and what you love about the role?
Branwell is someone who does everything too hotly. He’s incredibly passionate, and determined, but doesn’t quite understand how to navigate the world. He’s someone who is constantly grasping at what the world expects of him, and whenever he gets a taste of success – it slips through his fingers. It’s tragic. He represents the ways in which the expectations of a patriarchal society are also damaging to the men who live within it.
How do you think audiences will react to this irreverent retelling of the lives and legend of the Brontë sisters?
I hope they feel that warm buzz of siblings who are rallying around each other. I hope they’re outraged by the small-minded hurdles they have to constantly leap over. And I hope that they leave thinking, “woah, these were some incredible women!”
What does it mean to you personally to be working at the National?
It’s a dream. I started out in theatre, but have been working on TV, video games and animated projects for the past few years. I spoke to my agent about wanting to focus on some theatre again when my last project wrapped, and to get to do that making my National Theatre debut is beyond incredible! Some of the best theatre in the world has been made here and I feel very lucky to be a small part of its history.
What’s it been like in rehearsals, and what have you enjoyed most about the experience so far?
The joy is that the script is so brilliant, that even during our first table read we could feel what the show was. I remember laughing so hard throughout and leaving feeling inspired – I was chomping at the bit to start working on it!
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Underdog: The Other, Other Brontë?
Come to laugh, to fall in love with these trailblazers, and to see how feminism and the wider fight for equality are not new concepts in the 21st century!
