EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Nancy Sullivan
BWW speaks to actress Nancy Sullivan ahead of her performance in Fabric at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe.
Tell us a bit about Fabric
Fabric is about a woman called Leah, who is an everywoman - she isn't an extraordinary character in any way, like many roles in plays are. She could be lost in crowd and is facing the challenges of being a woman in today's society.
We meet her in the play when she decides to face some ghosts that are haunting her, and figures out how to get out of this place in order to move on.
How are rehearsals going?
Well we have just opened and started previews this week. Rehearsals were really intense and exhausting, but I felt we had a really solid process.
Tom O'Brien (director) gave me the freedom to play to develop Leah whilst guiding me with her and getting me to do lots of really essential exercises on building Leah's past, so when I'm on stage I don't feel as if I'm on my own as much - I feel all the other people I talk about in the play are in it with me, which is comforting at times.
What made you want to play the role of Leah?
First and foremost, I think Leah's story is one which needs to be told and Abi tells it brilliantly. We had a show tonight and a Q&A afterwards and we had teenage girls in the audience after saying "I just feel really weird and awakened to things I've never even considered", and that's what it's about for me.
Secondly I love working with Tom O'Brien. We've worked together twice before and we just have a shorthand now and no filters, so we get to places quicker than we might do otherwise. It's great to work with directors who really trust to push and push you, and that's what he does. With a piece like this that's exactly what you want as an actress, it's essential. I would have been so much more daunted doing this without Tom directing me, so i'm relieved he is!
Do you think you're going to find it difficult playing such an intense role every day of the festival?
Yes absolutely - I'm still working out what my wind down will be for Leah... our Edinburgh slot is quite early... so maybe a G&T won't be the best idea!
How are you planning to spend your down time?
I really love running and is great for me mentally when playing intense roles as it zones me out, so I'll be throwing my trainers on and exploring Edinburgh's gorgeous views... as well as seeing shows obviously!
Timings and ticket information for Fabric are available on the edfringe website.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
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