Strindberg’s darkest romantic tale reimagined by Patrick Marber.
On the eve of Labour’s historic 1945 election win, Julie, daughter of a powerful MP, and her father’s chauffeur, John, spark a forbidden flirtation that quickly turns into a tense, deadly struggle for power, desire, and survival.
Marber’s taut three-hander adaptation of Strindberg’s scorching drama of class and desire debuted in 1995 and has proved pretty enduring. Dadiow Lin directs this revival starring Liz Francis as Julie, Tom Varey and Charlene Boyd.
We sat down with Tom Varey, who plays John in the production.
What can you tell me about this production of After Miss Julie and your role as John?
The themes of After Miss Julie are still incredibly present and, I’d say, relevant today. It’s a story about aspiration, love, lust, envy, admiration, and human survival. These characters are all surviving and dreaming.
The themes of After Miss Julie are still incredibly present and, I’d say, relevant today. It’s a story about aspiration, love, lust, envy, admiration, and human survival. These characters are all surviving and dreaming.
What drew you to the role of John?
I found John so interesting as a character. He’s conflicted and seems to act on instinct a lot. it’s sometimes difficult to understand his motives behind the way that he acts, he has a lot of bravado, but is this a mask? And if so what is this hiding? He’s human and he’s messy and fascinating. What does John dream of and hope for from his life, these are all questions I’m looking forward to finding the answers to.
I found John so interesting as a character. He’s conflicted and seems to act on instinct a lot. it’s sometimes difficult to understand his motives behind the way that he acts, he has a lot of bravado, but is this a mask? And if so what is this hiding? He’s human and he’s messy and fascinating. What does John dream of and hope for from his life, these are all questions I’m looking forward to finding the answers to.
You'll star alongside Liz Francis and Charlene Boyd. How much are you looking forward to working with them both?
From the first table read of the play, I knew it was going to be very exciting to do this play with Liz and Charlene. It’s a very particular dynamic and vulnerability required for these characters and this play, and I think we have a great team and chemistry to tell this story in a way that it hasn’t been told before.
From the first table read of the play, I knew it was going to be very exciting to do this play with Liz and Charlene. It’s a very particular dynamic and vulnerability required for these characters and this play, and I think we have a great team and chemistry to tell this story in a way that it hasn’t been told before.
The production features a lot of tension. How do you prepare for such emotionally charged scenes?
There is so much tension in this play, it’s tense as heck! I don’t really have a set way of preparing for the tension in the scenes, so much of it is already there in the text from Patrick Marber, and the pauses. I think it’s a question of trust, in the text and the work done in rehearsals and the team, and then you’ve got to get on stage and slug it out! I think the real key is making sure by the end that you’re not carrying the tension with you. Breathe, stretch. You’ve told the story and now you can let it go!
There is so much tension in this play, it’s tense as heck! I don’t really have a set way of preparing for the tension in the scenes, so much of it is already there in the text from Patrick Marber, and the pauses. I think it’s a question of trust, in the text and the work done in rehearsals and the team, and then you’ve got to get on stage and slug it out! I think the real key is making sure by the end that you’re not carrying the tension with you. Breathe, stretch. You’ve told the story and now you can let it go!
How have you been building the role of John in your mind?
I don't want to give too much away, but as I mentioned before, John has always seemed particularly conflicted and bruised to me. From the first reading of the play I was having fun trying to figure out his standing in the world and what he believes, at times he can be incredibly cryptic. So having the opportunity to get into rehearsal and cement this version of John is something I am really looking forward to.
I don't want to give too much away, but as I mentioned before, John has always seemed particularly conflicted and bruised to me. From the first reading of the play I was having fun trying to figure out his standing in the world and what he believes, at times he can be incredibly cryptic. So having the opportunity to get into rehearsal and cement this version of John is something I am really looking forward to.
 |
| Tom Varey in rehearsals. |
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run in a show like this?
Breathe, stretch, warm up, know your actions. Tell the story as well as you can and then let it go. It’s key with a play of this nature to create a rehearsal room that feels safe, where we all feel able to explore and be vulnerable without judgement and in the knowledge that we will be held.
Breathe, stretch, warm up, know your actions. Tell the story as well as you can and then let it go. It’s key with a play of this nature to create a rehearsal room that feels safe, where we all feel able to explore and be vulnerable without judgement and in the knowledge that we will be held.
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
When I first moved to London, I queued overnight to get tickets to ‘Jerusalem’ on the West End. The play absolutely knocked my socks off. I wouldn’t be exaggerating to say I felt like it was magic what was happening on that stage. Everyone was so real and the world felt so lived in and vibrant, and Mark Rylance’s ability to tell stories, that guy, he’s something else! The final scene was so euphoric I almost expected the theatre roof to blow off!
What keeps you inspired?
Creatively, I’m inspired by people who love to tell stories in their voice. authenticity is something you can always detect. Art is an escape, and any opportunity to delve into another world is an opportunity I will gladly take. I think we’ve been spoilt recently both theatre and movie wise. For example, I saw ‘Sentimental Value’ the other day, and left feeling totally inspired. Especially in a world that sometimes seems overwhelming and scary, art is so important.
Creatively, I’m inspired by people who love to tell stories in their voice. authenticity is something you can always detect. Art is an escape, and any opportunity to delve into another world is an opportunity I will gladly take. I think we’ve been spoilt recently both theatre and movie wise. For example, I saw ‘Sentimental Value’ the other day, and left feeling totally inspired. Especially in a world that sometimes seems overwhelming and scary, art is so important.
What would you hope an audience member takes away from seeing After Miss Julie?
This play is like a bar of soap, you think you’ve got a hold of it, but you never really have. These characters are messy and, in some ways, damaged. but they’re also so human, and I hope audiences will enjoy the messiness of this story and its sharp corners.
This play is like a bar of soap, you think you’ve got a hold of it, but you never really have. These characters are messy and, in some ways, damaged. but they’re also so human, and I hope audiences will enjoy the messiness of this story and its sharp corners.
After Miss Julie runs at Park Theatre in London until Saturday 28th February 2026. Tickets are available from https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/after-miss-julie/
Post a Comment