INTERVIEW | Avi Nash, Shooting Hedda Gabler

Avi Nash and Antonia Thomas in Shooting Hedda Gabler. Photo by Andy Paradise. 

Before working on this production of Shooting Hedda Gabler you did a lot of work on TV, what drew you to transitioning towards theatre next?

I’d been wanting to do theatre for years, and like most things in this business (and life I suppose), it’s all a matter of timing! The call came in to meet with Jeff just as the SAG strike began and production on SILO season 2 went on pause. And so, here I am!

What drew you specifically to auditioning for this role?

It always comes down to the script. And in this case, what Nina Segal is able to do with words is par excellence - I think she’s one of the most exciting voices we have in the theatre today. I was a big fan of GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN and how she was able to tease out the ludicrousness of our society - and she’s done a brilliant job here as well. Her script scoops up a classic story and brings it full force into our world and, specifically, into our industry. The themes of the piece, coupled with all the emotional hurdles and complexities EJLERT deals with made it a role I couldn’t wait to pour myself into.

Shooting Hedda Gabler is a reframing of a 130-year-old story, what are the different elements and ideas that they have brought in particular into the production which make it more modern?

I think firstly it’s important to realise that this is a totally different story. It’s a piece of writing that stands on its own even if you have no knowledge of HEDDA GABLER. Knowledge of Ibsen’s play however, allows you to appreciate even further how both characters and the story pay homage to Ibsen’s work and also how they deviate, all while making his themes relevant in today’s world. That said, I think the set and lighting and sound - carved together like a Doll House (no pun intended) movie set - are a feat to behold and wonderfully modern to run up and down on.

In terms of working alongside the original work, will there still be similarities between the both?

I think the play begins as a kind of observation about Ibsen’s play but as it continues, things start to converge in a darkly chaotic way, and before you know it, we are deep into the world of HEDDA GABLER with no way out!

Can you tell us a little bit about your character Ejlert and what his main influence is on the storyline..

Ejlert is one of those lovely characters that people speak of frequently but who doesn’t show up until halfway through. Yet from the moment he arrives, the play takes on a new energy and goes from dipping its toes in chaos to taking a full on plunge. He’s a lovely character to play - equal parts bravado and danger as he is vulnerability and pain - in our play, he’s an actor like HEDDA, who has come back to reunite with his old lover now that he’s sober. He hopes that things might be different this time around with his love, but sometimes, we cannot change how we are with certain people.

What has been your favourite part of working on this production so far?

This cast is one of the most talented group of actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. And unlike film, where you might come in on different days, or just shoot a few scenes together, we’ve had a wonderful rehearsal process and are now 2 weeks into our run together. It’s allowed us all to support each other creatively and really craft the play in a way where we all feel safe to keep exploring the story with each other night after night. If the play wasn’t so heavy thematically, I’d want to keep working with them for the rest of my career - they are a joy to be around!

You have Antonia Thomas leading the company as Hedda, what has it been like working alongside her?

She’s a wonderful actress and an even better person - she handles her enormous responsibility for this production with effortless grace. She never lets ego enter a conversation, and is always curious about the truth of these characters and story. Working together has been a real gift - I always feel safe in her company and know that as we continue to discover the new layers of these characters every night, she’s right there with me. It would be scary otherwise to go where these characters go, but with Antonia, it has become a plunge we are all happy to make!

For people intrigued by this production, what can they expect from it?

A darkly funny, thoughtful and intense play about being trapped by fame, our own demons and the price we think we have to pay to get the shot!

Lastly, why should people come and see Shooting Hedda Gabler?

Christian Rubeck, Joshua James, Anna Andresen and Matilda Bailes. And my mum said you should!

Avi is performing in Shooting Hedda Gabler at the Rose Theatre Kingston until 21 October 2023.