“I’ve been thinking about time. Every second. The ugly bits, the fuzzy bits. The bits so shameful you feel your knickers shimmy down your legs and bury themselves underground.”
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| Sophie Cox, Lucy Mangan & Nina Cassells. Photo by Paul Blakemore |
Three friends grow up under an ancient tree. They’re filthy, brutal and full of hope. By turns hysterical and poignant, Playfight is a “stunningly accomplished” (★★★★★ The Observer) and searing probe of their inner lives as they hunt for love. Proper, ugly love. As their roots sink deeper, the branches stretch higher… so they decide to climb.
‘A blinding, sucker-punch of a play – honest, hilarious, heartfelt‘
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
An Edinburgh Festival smash hit, Playfight by Julia Grogan is a “marvellous jewel of a play” (★★★★★ The Times) that shines a vivid light on adolescent desire in a landscape of rising sexual violence.
Ahead of the production transfering to the Soho Theatre in London we sat down with original cast members Lucy Mangan, Nina Cassels and Sophie Cox who all return to the production.
What can you tell me about Playfight and your role within it?
Lucy: Playfight is a chaotic, messy, energetic and I think truthful exploration of girlhood and sexuality. It tackles contemporary issues whilst letting the mythology of becoming a woman breathe through the cracks. It is about timeless cycles and repeated habits that seem bigger than us, just beyond our reach.
Lucy: Playfight is a chaotic, messy, energetic and I think truthful exploration of girlhood and sexuality. It tackles contemporary issues whilst letting the mythology of becoming a woman breathe through the cracks. It is about timeless cycles and repeated habits that seem bigger than us, just beyond our reach.
Sophie: I would say Playfight is about friendship, girlhood and growing up. It holds space for conversations around consent, sexual desires, female empowerment and figuring out life and trying to handle the obstacles life throws at you in your teenage years . I’m playing Kiera, and she brings fire, excitement and openness.
Nina: Playfight is the messy, explosive part of growing up where our entire world revolves around school and our friends' opinions. The innocence of childhood is starting to shed and we're confronted by social expectations and demands. This is especially true for Zainab, who is battling the fierce dedication she has towards her friends, whilst also feeling isolated and misunderstood.
What first attracted you to this piece?
Nina: I read the script in one sitting, which is unusual for me because I am such a slow reader. The characters were so vivid and their voices so clear, it was almost as if they wouldn't let me go until I'd read the last word. It was heart-breaking watching their dreams and ambitions evolve through the script, knowing what the world was going to do to their innocence. I knew I wanted to be involved in taking an audience through that exact same journey.
Nina: I read the script in one sitting, which is unusual for me because I am such a slow reader. The characters were so vivid and their voices so clear, it was almost as if they wouldn't let me go until I'd read the last word. It was heart-breaking watching their dreams and ambitions evolve through the script, knowing what the world was going to do to their innocence. I knew I wanted to be involved in taking an audience through that exact same journey.
Lucy: The writing. It’s fast paced and hilarious. It tickles you then slaps you in the face.
Sophie: I love how funny it is, how it holds important subjects in a humorous, witty way. I also love how relatable it is and how it feels so universal and has the ability to lend itself to all different types of people.
How wonderful is it to get to return to the piece after a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe?
Lucy: It’s rare to get to work with a team where there’s such an alignment of brilliance and synergy. I love everything about the company and show so it’s been pretty special to dive back into it - I am excited to share it further.
Lucy: It’s rare to get to work with a team where there’s such an alignment of brilliance and synergy. I love everything about the company and show so it’s been pretty special to dive back into it - I am excited to share it further.
Sophie: I feel incredibly lucky to get to tell this story again with such an amazing supportive team behind it.
Nina: AN ABSOLUTE DREAM!!!!!!
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| Photo by Paul Blakemore. |
Do you approach anything differently ahead of returning to this piece?
Lucy: The instincts and the emotional journey of the character were already there but revisiting the play has given me the opportunity to pick up on some further detail. I think a lot of it comes down to initial research and plotting the journey of the character then trusting your impulses and allowing the characters to breathe and respond to each other in real time.
Nina: I think I just came into this process with more confidence, and I was excited to push the elements of the storytelling we hadn't quite achieved in Edinburgh.
Sophie: I feel like the character is still in me from Edinburgh however I’ve come back at it with an open mind so there’s still room for discovery and play
How much of yourself did you see in any of the characters?
Nina: Zainab and I both share the same unwavering loyalty and blunt expressions. She cares so much for the people in her lives that she often finds herself angry on their behalf when she believes they deserve better - and that really resonates with me. But Zainab is definitely more by the book and uptight than I am. If I were her, I'd probably be going out with Keira and trying to get drinks off Lisa Wallis.
Nina: Zainab and I both share the same unwavering loyalty and blunt expressions. She cares so much for the people in her lives that she often finds herself angry on their behalf when she believes they deserve better - and that really resonates with me. But Zainab is definitely more by the book and uptight than I am. If I were her, I'd probably be going out with Keira and trying to get drinks off Lisa Wallis.
Lucy: I see parts of myself in all of them which is why I think the play works so well. They’ve all got extremely different energies and drives so I don’t think you could watch without relating to one of them at some point. The play centres around a friendship of three which is a dynamic I can definitely relate to from teenage times.
Sophie: I see myself in all of the characters and feel like each one represents different times of my growing up years and myself now.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
Sophie: I make sure I warm up. The basic things of eating, drinking and getting enough sleep and exercise. Also feel like it’s very important for me to connect with my fellow cast members before we do a show.
Lucy: I need different things with different kinds of shows. With this, I have to shake off body nerves by some sort of movement and then usually sit still for a while after. Then will do solo vocal and high energy group warmups. Probs rubber chicken with Nina & Sophie! Then I attempt to tell the critical part of my brain to go sit in the corner whilst I see what happens on stage.
Nina: I have a vocal warm up that I'll do before each performance, and as a cast we usually play a game to activate the teenage energy we need to start the show.
If you could ask your character one question, what would you ask them?
Lucy: What would have helped you ask for help?
Sophie: Do you have any regrets?
Nina: AAAAHHHHHH the question I want to ask her would give away too much about the play.
When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?
Sophie: I would say when I was very young I had a feeling I wanted to perform and play different characters. I was a big musical theatre kid growing up.
Nina: Honestly, when I discovered Tracy Beaker it kind of blew my mind. I don't even think I really understood what an actor was, I just knew that whatever they were doing looked fun and I wanted to do it too.
Lucy: I didn’t really know you could be one until I was one really. I went to drama school a bit later than most and still didn't really think it was possible even though I wanted it. I think I always was drawn to imaginative games & 'make-believe', and the make-shift dressing up box was always a focal point at home. Thing is, I was very shy and lacked confidence until much later on when I realised you didn't need to be a huge extrovert to be an actor.
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
Nina: Summer and Smoke at the Almeida. Patsy Ferran *chefs kiss*
Nina: Summer and Smoke at the Almeida. Patsy Ferran *chefs kiss*
Lucy: Really couldn't think what. My friend's parents used to take us to see lots of musicals when I was about 14. I think WICKED was maybe the first one that put me in a state of awe. Our drama teacher, maybe in year 9, showed us a film version of Samuel Beckett's PLAY with Alan Rickman where you have the 3 heads in the urns and I remember thinking that it was really weird and cool.
Sophie: Billy Elliot
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| Photo by Paul Blakemore |
What gives you inspiration?
Nina: There's no real formula for inspiration - it can come from anywhere. Recent inspiration has come from friends, visiting the YSL museum and watching the short film 'Through the Gates' for the 87th time.
Nina: There's no real formula for inspiration - it can come from anywhere. Recent inspiration has come from friends, visiting the YSL museum and watching the short film 'Through the Gates' for the 87th time.
Lucy: People and the connection between people.
Sophie: A good song with good lyrics and meaningful conversations with people
What do you hope someone takes away from seeing Playfight?
Lucy: That shame is where it starts. That we were all beautiful children in the playground once and for anything to change we've got to work it out together.
Lucy: That shame is where it starts. That we were all beautiful children in the playground once and for anything to change we've got to work it out together.
Sophie: Hope
Nina: I hope it fills them with love for their teenage selves, and sparks a determination to create a new path for the teenagers that will come after.
Playfight runs at London's Soho Theatre from Tuesday 8th to Saturday 26th April 2025. Tickets are available from https://sohotheatre.com/events/playfight/
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