Melissa Saint stars in Kath Haling’s blistering debut play The Least We Could Do, at the Hope Theatre – a thought provoking and provocative drama exploring the dark side of fame and the sometimes-fatal consequences of our collective actions.
Kath Haling’s drama shines a spotlight on society’s incessant appetite for clickbait narratives, as lives unravel under the brutal and unforgiving gaze of the public eye in a play that unpicks the profound responsibility we all bear in shaping the lives of others.
The Least We Could Do is at Hope Theatre 10th – 28th October 2023.
You’re appearing in The Least We Could Do, what can you tell us about the play?
The play is a three-hander, which explores the toxicity of the media and what happens when celebrity figure, Levi’ Child’s private life is exploited by tabloids and reporters. It kind of delves into how she’s affected by media culture and how damaging it can be, not only for her but also those around her.
What was it about Kath Haling’s debut script that appealed to you the most?
What appealed to me most was that wrapped up in the gravity of the story, the situations being explored at the core of the script are inherently human experiences that many people can relate to. Yet, as a society, I think that we have such a sticky relationship with the media and can often overlook the dangers that a strong media presence can pose on people’s lives. It’s just a pretty relevant topic to explore, really.
You’ve experienced fame first hand, how did this play resonate with you and how do you think it will resonate with audiences?
I think that particularly with Charlie’s character, there’s definitely a sense of her wanting to keep her private life, private. I’m ever conscious of the way that things can be twisted or skewed and it’s definitely a little daunting.
That being said I hope that audiences will reflect and remember that those being spoken about or commented on are human beings, with real feelings and emotions. None of us are bulletproof, you know? I also really hope that the play encourages a level of awareness in viewers when engaging with media and social media.
You play Charlie, tell us a little about the character and what you’re enjoying most about the role?
I’m really enjoying exploring the complexities of her storyline and the motivations behind her actions and choices. It’s so important to find the honesty in the work, so I’m enjoying that. She’s very layered – she’s really got a lot going on! Also, I’m learning new information about some things I didn’t know very much about and I’m always grateful to learn something new so…
And what do you think will be the biggest challenge?
There are some really difficult and complex moments in this play and I think that tackling those will be the challenges for me, but I’m looking forward to it.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see The Least We Could Do?
I’d say come with an open heart as it’s definitely a thought provoker.
