Sasha Regan has once again wowed critics and audiences alike with her latest adaptation of a Gilbert and Sullivan play.
This time around, it’s HMS Pinafore that’s the focus of attention, its all-male cast helping to put a unique spin on the comic opera.
Here, in the wake of the show capturing the hearts of the region’s theatre-goers, Sasha chats with “Pulse” author Steve Rudd about her background in ballet, her involvement with the Union Theatre, and her eagle-eared approach to casting...
Q. Hi Sasha! How are things?
A. It’s been a busy year so far due to casting for the tour, and producing other shows. It’s all good!
Q. How old were you when you first developed an interest in theatre?
A. I studied ballet from an early age, and I went to The Young Vic Youth Theatre in London.
My mum had a ballet school, so I suppose it was always likely that I would want a life in the Arts.
Q. You founded the Union Theatre in London back in 1998. How easy a task was it to convert the building from its status as a disused warehouse? I take it you saw its potential from the off?
A. I was young and full of naivety — the perfect “place” to take on such a stressful project! Youth provides a very brave frame of mind.
I’m actually relocating the Union now, after almost twenty years of being there, and I must say that I’m far more cautious.
I suppose I know what’s ahead!
Q. When did you start producing plays, and what constituted your first production?
A. I actually met a couple of actresses at an audition.
Frustrated with our unemployment, we decided to create a company: “Quintessential Theatre”.
We produced a play at a local pub-theatre in Deptford. The rest is history.
Q. Your all-male productions of The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore have justly received rave reviews.
How did you go about adapting such plays in order to put the “Regan stamp” on them?
A. We’ve only adapted the casting. The script and score is completely respected, as it should be.
By replacing the women with men, it gives the productions a very innocent and youthful feel.
It’s like schoolboys putting on a play. It is sometimes hard to convince the audiences to give it a go, but once they come, they’re normally hooked.
We have followers all around the country who ask, all year around, “What’s next?”
It makes me very happy.
Q. Do you intuitively know which actors will be best for which roles, or is it always a gamble when it comes to casting?
A. I have very set ideas on casting. The look, voice and physical ability of any given actor is crucial to creating the all-male company feel.
The cast perform without head-microphones, so we need men with very strong and beautiful voices.
After everything that I’ve just said, an actor will occasionally turn up in an audition and completely change my mind.
Q. Have you ever done any acting yourself? If so, how do you enjoy it compared to being an Artistic Director? Generally-speaking, would you say that you’re most comfortable on or off-stage?
A. I used to act and adored it. For a time in my life, it was everything.
Over the years, I have merely chosen a different role.
Directing and producing is where I am most happy.
Seeing a production gradually come to life is a wonderful and rewarding feeling.
Q. When embarking on a tour, how do you choose which venues to visit?
A. Initially, we’re invited back to the venues where we have already taken our work.
Then, little by little, the word spreads, and we get invited to new places.
For a few years, we found it very difficult to book venues.
Now that more people know our work, they’re welcoming us to their theatres.
Q. Your production of HMS Pinafore is your fourth all-male Gilbert & Sullivan production! Do you hope to produce any more in the future?
A. Yes – we’re already booking Mikado for 2017!
Q. How often do you go out in London to watch musicals or plays? Have you seen any particularly good shows lately that you would recommend?
A. I love attending theatre anywhere and everywhere, be it in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, my local theatre, or my kid’s school! And my Nellie’s appearance as a Volcano in her end-of-term assembly was particularly good!
Q. For those unfamiliar with the HMS Pinafore story, how would you describe it in a nutshell?
A. It’s a classic Gilbert and Sullivan topsy-turvy story.
If you don’t like G&S, but you love musical theatre and cracking choreography, then this version is for you.
If you love G &S in general, then this version is definitely for you!
Q. Finally, how can people find out about your work?
A. Have a look at www.allmalehms.com and “Follow” us @allmalehms2016 on Twitter. We often have offers and updates on social media.
l Signed copies of Steve’s first book, “Pulse” can be ordered for just £10 by sending a cheque (made payable to Mr. S. Rudd) to 110 The Mount, Driffield, YO25 5JN. Visit www.steverudd.co.uk or e-mail steveruddwriting@gmail.com for more information.