Stephen Bill’s award-winning play Curtains comes to Rose Theatre Kingston as part of their 10th anniversary season. Lindsay Posner directs Leo Bill, Caroline Catz, Jonathan Coy, Tim Dutton, Wendy Nottingham, Saskia Reeves, Sandra Voe and Marjorie Yates.
We spoke to Tim Dutton, who plays Douglas, to find out more.
You’re appearing in Curtains at Rose Theatre Kingston, what can you tell us about it?
Well it’s a funny bleak play about the end of life and a dysfunctional family group.
How would you describe the balance of comedy and emotion in Curtains?
Without spoilers there is a great mix. There are moments of farcical comedy and moments of uncomfortable emotion.
What attracted you to the role of Douglas?
The uniform.
Has anything about the character changed or surprised you between reading the script and starting rehearsals?
It’s been a fun exploration of the character. He’s a grumpy humanist, prone to a drink, but it’s all on the page. He’s a better lawnmower repairer on stage than he was in rehearsals.
How have you and your cast mates got to know each other?
Well rehearsals are always a great way to get to know other cast members, if you haven’t previously worked together. Then there’s always the adrenaline of previews and press night to really seal a casts dynamic.
You’re known for your TV and film work as well as being on stage, what do you enjoy about being back in the theatre?
The fact that it is live and no matter how good last night was or how good the last ten minutes were, it’s a live adventure that everyone in the theatre is taking.
Curtains is at Rose Theatre Kingston from 22nd February to 17th March 2018.
