With fast-paced storytelling, misbehaving props and over thirty characters to play, four actors cause havoc as they attempt to recreate the classic yet scandalous French novel Madame Bovary (1856), a book considered so controversial on its release that the author Gustave Flaubert went to court on charges of obscenity.
Emma Bovary is bored. She’s bored with her boring doctor husband, bored with her boring provincial village and bored with her role as a dutiful wife in (boring) nineteenth-century France. But Emma reads novels. Lots of novels. And in novels, life is much more fun...
Ahead of a Christmas run at Southwark Playhouse we spoke with Georgia Nicholson who will play Madame Bovary in the production.
What can you tell me about this production of The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary?
The show is a fast paced comic retelling of a classic French tragedy, so it’s a bit different to the usual Christmas shows. The writer John Nicholson has done a great job of staying truthful to the original novel whilst also adding in a whole load of farce! In essence it’s a story about a woman who wants more than society has in store for her, and we follow her through all of her trials, tribulations and rather questionable decisions. Audiences can expects lots of laughter, a sprinkling of risqué humour and perhaps some tears too.
What attracted you to this production?
It’s a gift of a show for an actor, it has it all- comedy, tragedy and all that goes in between. I loved that Emma Bovary has so many contradictions, she’s a victim and at the same time some of her actions raise an eyebrow. The original novel was published in 1856 and banned for obscenity. Lots of the themes are still relevant today, plus it’s jolly good fun being in her whirlwind of a life every evening.
The show is a fast paced comic retelling of a classic French tragedy, so it’s a bit different to the usual Christmas shows. The writer John Nicholson has done a great job of staying truthful to the original novel whilst also adding in a whole load of farce! In essence it’s a story about a woman who wants more than society has in store for her, and we follow her through all of her trials, tribulations and rather questionable decisions. Audiences can expects lots of laughter, a sprinkling of risqué humour and perhaps some tears too.
What attracted you to this production?
It’s a gift of a show for an actor, it has it all- comedy, tragedy and all that goes in between. I loved that Emma Bovary has so many contradictions, she’s a victim and at the same time some of her actions raise an eyebrow. The original novel was published in 1856 and banned for obscenity. Lots of the themes are still relevant today, plus it’s jolly good fun being in her whirlwind of a life every evening.
How have you been approaching finding the character?
I did lots of research about the time period, and read and then re-read the novel. Our show is a spin on the original but I felt it was important to really understand Flaubert’s Emma. Chaos happens around her but the truth of her situation is still at the centre of the story. There are four of us in the show and along with our director and creative team it was a wonderful process of discovering the world of the play- and then letting chaos reign.
I did lots of research about the time period, and read and then re-read the novel. Our show is a spin on the original but I felt it was important to really understand Flaubert’s Emma. Chaos happens around her but the truth of her situation is still at the centre of the story. There are four of us in the show and along with our director and creative team it was a wonderful process of discovering the world of the play- and then letting chaos reign.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run?
I think feeling confident that I know the character is the main thing, and then just focus on telling the story. Sometimes breaking it down to its simplest terms is the most useful and it helps to not get too stuck in your head about it. Prepare and tell the story.
I think feeling confident that I know the character is the main thing, and then just focus on telling the story. Sometimes breaking it down to its simplest terms is the most useful and it helps to not get too stuck in your head about it. Prepare and tell the story.
Physically, lots of stretching for a certain scene in the play which I won’t reveal, but you’ll know what I mean when you see it!
What are your favourite Christmas traditions?
I have a funny little tradition that I have for myself on Christmas Eve where I watch The Snowman, The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special and then Midnight Mass. I’m not actually religious but I think the singing is beautiful!
I have a funny little tradition that I have for myself on Christmas Eve where I watch The Snowman, The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special and then Midnight Mass. I’m not actually religious but I think the singing is beautiful!
Where did your arts career begin?
It’s hard to pin point, my love of performing began at home, putting on shows for my parents in the house with my siblings. After that I joined some local drama groups and took part in school productions. My interest grew over the yearsand I decided to try to go to drama school. It was a tricky thing to undertake financially and I was so lucky to be supported by my family and 120 local people and organisations who helped me to afford the fees. I still feel so incredibly grateful to them all. After drama school you go through lots of periods of uncertainty but I just kept at it and I’m still here. This industry is difficult and wonderful all at the same time. The highs and lows are what make it exciting I think.
It’s hard to pin point, my love of performing began at home, putting on shows for my parents in the house with my siblings. After that I joined some local drama groups and took part in school productions. My interest grew over the yearsand I decided to try to go to drama school. It was a tricky thing to undertake financially and I was so lucky to be supported by my family and 120 local people and organisations who helped me to afford the fees. I still feel so incredibly grateful to them all. After drama school you go through lots of periods of uncertainty but I just kept at it and I’m still here. This industry is difficult and wonderful all at the same time. The highs and lows are what make it exciting I think.
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| Georgia Nicholson |
I love that zingy tingly magic that you create in theatre. The game between the audience and performers is electric. I’m also so inspired by my peers and love to see what they are achieving. It’s an amazing thing to see people soar doing what they love.
What do you hope an audience member feels when watching the show?
I hope they find it funny primarily! I think as a company we want people to come and enjoy themselves. We’ll tell you a story, you might laugh, you might cry but above all we’ll all spend a couple of hours with a long list of eccentric characters and have a shared experience. I hope the audience can connect with Emma and see that really she’s like us all, not good, not bad, just human.
Where can audiences see the show?
We’re at Southwark Playhouse Borough 5th December until the 11th January and we’d love you to come and join us for an evening of mishaps and mayhem!
Tickets are available from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
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