Interview with Sherry Baines, The Da Vinci Code
Conducted by Emmie for Theatre & Tonic
Currently playing on the stage is a thrilling stage adaptation of The Da Vinci Code by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. Dan Brown’s best-selling mystery novel was released in 2003 and went on to be adapted into a film in 2006 starring Tom Hanks. To discover more about this production, we chatted with Sherry Baines, who plays the role of Sister Sandrine in the production.
Sherry Baines headshot.
What drew you to the role of Sister Sandrine and wanting to be involved in this exciting stage adaptation of The Da Vinci Code?
I really wanted to work with Chelsea Walker - the director - as she has a great reputation and I had seen one of her productions at The Globe and loved it. It was also a lovely opportunity to return to Salisbury Playhouse as I love working here.
For those who don’t know the story, can you tell our readers what it is about?
I don’t want to spoil the surprises as one of the main elements of the story is the number of twists and turns in the plot. It starts with the murder of the curator of The Louvre and develops into an investigation of his past and his role in a secret society. His granddaughter is desperate to find out about him and the rest of the family and discovers that he has links to the Holy Grail. That’s all I can tell you!
You play the role of Sister Sandrine. How does this character contribute to the plot, and how have you embodied her using the book and movie for inspiration (if you have)?
Sister Sandrine - the nun I play - is a guardian of the secrets and is in great danger. I haven’t seen the film and only read the book after I was offered the role. The creation of the character is something that happens in rehearsal in discussion with the director and fellow actors in the scene. And then once in performance, characters always develop as you find new things in front of an audience.
Have there been any challenges in developing this character?
The main challenge is that I play 3 roles, who are all very different. Keeping them separate physically and vocally from each other so the audience believes each character and isn’t confused - that’s the main challenge for me!
READ NOW: The Da Vinci Code, Salisbury Playhouse Review
As this is a new stage adaptation of a popular novel – what are the challenges in developing this kind of work? And also what can people expect from this production?
Putting a novel on stage is always a challenge - how to get the story across without having to use a narrator to set the scene. The narrative has to be communicated through the dialogue without it sounding like exposition so that’s the writing challenge.
The challenge specific to this subject matter is the fact that it is a chase - so the set has to be flexible to portray many different locations. And there is a lot of information - we were constantly checking in rehearsals that we were telling the story clearly. The audience should feel they are solving the clues along with us. They can expect drama and exciting visual effects, and to be intrigued, entertained and moved.
Has your perspective on the story and its themes shifted since you have been working on The Da Vinci Code?
My perspective has changed because you are no longer a reader of the book questioning the theories. Within your character, you absolutely have to believe in and commit to the story.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this new stage adaptation that they may not get from the book or film?
Live performance is always going to be a more immediate experience and watching how the challenges of the storytelling are achieved on one small stage is one of the main delights of an adaptation.
Finally, why should people book tickets to see The Da Vinci Code?
I think people should come because they will be surprised and intrigued by how the story has been transferred to the stage. If they love the book, that’s the joy of seeing the stage version, seeing how the characters come to life. If this is their first experience of The Da Vinci Code, it will be the theatrical equivalent of a page turner.
The Da Vinci Code plays at Salisbury Playhouse until 3rd May and Mercury Theatre Colchester from 7th to 24th May.
