Interview with Susie Trayling, Mass at Donmar Warehouse

Fran Kranz’s cathartic and profoundly moving drama takes us to a quiet room of an Episcopal church where two couples will meet to have a conversation no parent should ever have face to face. Mass is a new play based on the acclaimed 2021 screenplay, and it heads to the Donmar Warehouse for a limited time from 18 April, located just a short walk from Covent Garden. Ahead of its run, we are joined by Susie Trayling to find out more.

Tell me about your character, Judy.

Judy works at the church where the meeting is taking place. Much of the play is an extraordinary conversation between 2 couples linked by a specific and monumental event but there are 3 other characters, each trying in their own way to best support this conversation. 

What made you want to get involved in this production?

I think all of us had the same reaction on reading Fran's extraordinary script. It is one of those conversations that is almost impossible to imagine, but he has done it so beautifully. It asks lots of questions, many of which are perhaps not answerable. There is a Robert Frost quote, "The best way out is through". I find the willingness of the characters to keep trying to stand in that possibility profoundly moving. 

Mass has been adapted for the stage from an original film. Why do you think it will work on stage as well as screen?

Because of the immediacy of theatre. It is ephemeral and it is alive. And you get to be your own editor in theatre, choosing where you want to look and what you see.

The play has challenging and sensitive themes. How do you leave that behind at the end of rehearsals?

At the end of the day, we try to stretch and release our bodies, maybe even dance a little. I think we are all learning what we need as we go along.

And is there any support in place for the company?

Yes, we have a brilliant drama therapist, Patricia Ojehonmon, working with us. 

The play has a subject-matter that feels uniquely American. How do you think it will land with UK audiences?

Whilst the specifics of the incident that has occurred in the run up to the action of the play may be uniquely American the wider themes are not - what makes someone feel excluded, how is connection possible in the face of impossible circumstances, humanity, love and loss, forgiveness. 

Why should people come to see Mass at the Donmar Warehouse?

I think we need to tell stories to help us understand the world around us, whether that is in the telling of them or in the watching of them. Theatre offers community and connection without an audience having to speak, but we do need them to be there. We couldn't do it without them. The Donmar offers an intimacy in a theatre space that serves this play beautifully.

Mass will play at the Donmar Warehouse from 18 April to 6 June 2026.