Interview with Mika Onyx Johnson, Much Ado About Nothing
Conducted by Emmie
This month, Jamie Lloyd's production of Much Ado About Nothing takes the stage at Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a limited run, as part of an exciting Shakespeare season in the West End. Today we’re joined by Mika Onyx Johnson who plays Borachio in the production to find out more about this innovative production.
You’ve worked on productions with Jamie Lloyd before, so what was it about his production of Much Ado About Nothing which made you want to be involved?
One thing I really admire about Jamie is his openness, not just in the rehearsal room but the way he envisions his productions, he’s playful. Theatre is supposed to be alive and expansive, working with Jamie reminds of being back at the young peoples theatre group I started at in Nottingham and we would just devise and make, we were never confined to one style of storytelling and I always feel like that when I work with Jamie, especially on this production of Much Ado About Nothing.
He is known for challenging traditional interpretations of Shakespeare. How does this version of Much Ado About Nothing continue that running theme do you think?
I think a lot of it has to do with who is participating in the storytelling, the multiple energies and experiences of the people performing. Jamie and Stuart Burt are really great at putting a company together. If we are going to keep reviving Shakespeare and retelling these stories we have to keep pushing and allow the interpretations to be abundant otherwise it can be isolating for the majority. I think there is something magical about a lot of Shakespeare’s work and this production really feels like that’s being captured.
Your character Borachio is traditionally viewed as a scheming and morally ambiguous character. How have you approached playing them in your way for this production?
Working with Jamie means that a lot of the preconceived stuff around the “character” isn’t necessary, it frees you from being attached to this “idea” of the person you’re playing, he always says you’re in the character and the character is in you. I think all the characters in the play are flawed and equally full of love even if it’s not explicit in their actions, just like us as people. This version of Borachio is definitely dealing with a case toxic man-itus but I also believe there is a genuine connection and love between him and Margaret who is played by Mason Alexander Park.
Can you tell us how your character impacts the larger narrative of Much Ado About Nothing?
Jamie’s direction, Fabian Aloise’s movement and Jon Glew’s intricate text sculpting means we really get a magnifying glass on all the other stories, threads and connections within this larger narrative of Beatrice and Benedick. I think the plan that Borachio concocts has a much bigger impact than he intended. It creates a ripple effect that really causes a stir in everyone including himself and although it comes from a careless place I think beautiful things emerge from its aftermath.
A lot of people find the linguistic and rhythmic parts of Shakespeare's text quite challenging. How have you worked with it and hopefully made it feel contemporary for today’s audiences?
I always feel like there’s a double translating process with Shakespeare. The understanding of the language doesn’t come natural to me, I think having a working class accent has meant in the past I have felt a sense of ostracism but there’s such a poetic power in the words, I’ve learnt not to be intimidated by what’s in front of me because once you understand its contemporary meaning you then shift it into your own way of speaking and embodying language and something very exciting happens. It’s really amazing how quickly your brain takes in the information, processes it and then spits it back out. Honestly I think if the performer is comfortable and connected to the feeling of what they are saying it will always translate in some way, I don’t think every little word is the most important thing in theatre.
What can you tell us already about this production of Much Ado About Nothing. The Tempest which is currently playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has minimal staging. Will this presentation have the same and how does this aid the performance?
I’m going to be really enigmatic and annoying - all I’ll say is the stage is the blank canvas for the heart shaped painting that will slowly reveal itself.
What is the most challenging scene to rehearse or perform, and why?
I can’t say too much but I am doing things in this show that I haven’t done before which is equally nerve wrecking and very liberating. I think when your trans and working in this industry your often confined to a box and of course that can be said for all people in some way but there really are less opportunities for trans actors to step into roles that mean we are seen as desirable human beings and are able to expand beyond our gender.
Has working on this show pushed and evolved your craft as an actor?
It’s made me excited about theatre and it’s possibilities and it’s amazing that I am getting the opportunity to participate in classical work in this way, I think doing Shakespeare stretches you and I’m having a lot of fun.
What do you hope audiences take away from your portrayal of Borachio and from this production as a whole?
Borachio could be anyone in the audience, I think we’re all capable of making careless decisions in the moment that have a harmful impact on others, it just looks different in our lives. For some people watching it might be totally relatable. I believe at the core of the production though it’s about loving and forgiving and maybe forgiveness stems from love which is in all of us, it’s what the universe is made of.
If Jamie Lloyd was to take on another new production of Shakespeare, which one would you choose and why?
Maybe Julius Caesar, a tragedy for sure. I’m a massive horror fan and I do think the exploration of the darkness that lives in us is fascinating. Theres such a common thread of manipulation and deception in Shakespeare’s work even when it appears more light hearted. I’d be intrigued to see Jamie’s interpretation of that world, that same scared feeling that’s captured amongst other people in the cinema but in the theatre.
Finally, why should people book tickets to see Much Ado About Nothing during its limited run?
I think if you want an experience, a night out at the club without going to the club, be at a wedding or a party then come to Theatre Royal Drury Lane, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Catch Mika Onyx Johnson in Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 10 February- 5 April 2025.
