Interview: James Backway on The Watermill's WATERSHIP DOWN

Richard Adams' best-selling novel Watership Down is opening shortly at the picturesque Watermill Theatre; not far away from the location that inspired the well-loved story. Towards the end of the rehearsal period, BWW:UK speaks to James Backway who is playing Hazel in this stage adaptation. He was mostly recently seen in War Horse in the West End where he played Albert until the production closed.

How are rehearsals going so far?

Great, thanks! Very busy. It's been a fast paced process so far, with lots of puppetry, movement sequences and musical instruments. Feels like we're going at a hundred miles an hour at the moment, which is great because you don't give yourself too much time to overthink stuff.

Richard Adams' novel was published in the early 1970's yet it is still timeless today. What do you think it is about the story that appeals to so many?

I think it's that it's a timeless story about a band of brothers who have to overcome multiple obstacles by pulling together as a team. Very reminiscent of old WWII stories. I think that type of story doesn't just appeal to kids, but adults as well. And the writing is so beautiful. It's not a story you can grow out of, really.

The Watermill is only a short distance away from the location that inspired the story. Does performing Watership Down at this venue make it feel all the more poignant?

Richard Adams only lives a few miles away from the theatre, so I think the story has special ties with the this community. We went up to the actual Watership Down during the first week of rehearsals. It's gorgeous - you drive for miles and miles and there's nothing but green. And there are rabbits everywhere. There's a huge warren behind our local pub and all the rabbits come out and chill at sunset, it's lovely.

How would you describe Rona Munro's adaption of this well-known classic in comparison to the book and film that most people are familiar with?

Rona is a terrific playwright. It's great to get writing like this, that is so true to the book. I think we, collectively a company have tried to remain as close to the original story as possible. The book is so good, you just want to let it be, really, instead of changing stuff and interpreting for the sake of interpreting.

Having played Albert in War Horse, you are no stranger to working with puppets. Do you get the opportunity to puppeteer as Hazel?

I will be puppeteering, but not as Hazel. Some of the characters will be puppeteered, others will be played by actors. Matt Hutchinson's puppets are incredible, though. There's a stoat puppet that I get to have a go at - which is great fun, as I never did any puppeteering as Albert, but did get to watch the horse boys do their thing and realise how tough it is, and how specific you have to be. You find yourself in all sorts of strange positions when puppeteering because you don't focus on yourself while you're doing it, you're so absorbed in the puppet you don't realise you've been hunched over for half an hour.

The Watermill is known for its actor-musician productions. Are you playing an instrument in the show?

Music is a huge part of this show. Dom Coyote's original score is brilliant, he's managed to create a really cinematic feel which touches on the light and dark elements of the story. And the level of musicianship in the cast is phenomenal. I'm one of the few that doesn't play an instrument. "Wonderwall" on guitar or "Easy" by Lionel Richie on piano is all I can manage, and neither of those come up in the play unfortunately.

Hazel is the unexpected leader of the warren. How are you finding being a rabbit?!
It's great. Ears can get a bit tricky in and out of doors. But apart from that, I recommend it!

Watership Down opens at the Watermill this evening and plays until Saturday 23 July 2016.

Photo credit: Philip Tull