Interview: Katie Tranter on The Canterville Ghost at Southwark Playhouse

Katie Tranter plays The Psychic in Oscar Wilde’s uproarious spectacular The Canterville Ghost, which will haunt and delight audiences at the Southwark Playhouse this autumn, as part of a wider UK Tour.

The gloriously ghoulish show, directed by Olivia Jacobs, is part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the award-winning theatre company Tall Stories.

The Canterville Ghost is at Southwark Playhouse 11^th October to 5^th November 2022.

You’re starring in The Canterville Ghost at Southwark Playhouse, what can you tell us about this production?

To be honest, being cast in this show is a dream come true for me. It’s got everything – magic, live music and a cracking story.

Tall Stories usually produce work for younger audiences, what’s it been like working with them on something that’s aimed more at teenagers?

It is my first time working with Tall Stories and it is very clear that they make very high quality work regardless of the audience it’s aimed at. It is a huge honour to be working with so many exciting artists and the company is like a family.

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Tell us a little about your role in The Canterville Ghost?

I play the role of Lorelei Diamond, a psychic! She, in turn, plays the role of Virginia Otis within the story of The Canterville Ghost. Sounds complicated but it isn’t! Basically, a group of music hall performers tell The Canterville Ghost interspersed with their own acts. I love my role because I get the opportunity to really work the crowd and get to know the audience, which I absolutely love.

How have you researched the role and have you found anything about it particularly challenging?

I’m quite nerdy about music hall and variety so it’s been extra fun preparing for The Canterville Ghost. All of our characters are inspired by real life music hall and vaudeville performers from the 19^th century. My character, Lorelei Diamond, is inspired by mentalist and medium Anna Eva Fay.

How have you been getting to know your fellow cast, and what have you enjoyed so far about working with them?

On Fridays we all eat lunch together in a local cafe near our rehearsal venue and this helps us to bond as a group. It’s so important to get to know each other outside of rehearsals, especially when we’re going to be touring together. I’m constantly in awe of my fellow cast mates and they are always surprising me with how funny they are.