Preview: The Essence of Audrey (Jack Studio Theatre)

Stopping off in Brockley, Helen Anker’s play The Essence of Audrey brings a bit of Hollywood glamour to the London fringe.

Ahead of this run, writer/performer Helen talked about Audrey Hepburn and why she created a show about her.

Where: Jack Studio Theatre

When: 14-26 Mar, 7.30pm

Ticket link: https://brockleyjack.co.uk/jackstudio-entry/the-essence-of-audrey/

Audrey Hepburn is such a memorable screen actress. How did you first encounter her, and how did you set out to ‘become her’?

I have always been a fan of hers and have some beautiful coffee table books of pictures of her in my house.

I also now realise that pictures of her have always been around, I have a coaster of her face, and had a beautiful print of her on my wall when I lived in New York, 

The reason I decided to write this play about her, was merely because my tenant during lock down, happened to mention that she saw a likeness between me and Audrey from looking at one of my books.

The following day, I was doing my weekly zoom ballet class and started thinking about whether anyone had ever done a play or musical about her, as I was staring straight at Audrey’s face on my book shelf.

I decided to look into it, and surprisingly couldn’t find anything.. so after much thought, and mentioning this to a friend, she suggested I write something myself..

I started researching Audrey and watched as many of her films that I could find.. and started writing.. I am still shocked that I actually wrote it, and then managed to learn it and have now performed The Essence of Audrey 10 times over the past 3 years.

As well as being a major movie star, Hepburn was also a major fashion icon, and worked hard for UNICEF. A lot to pack into an hour! How did you choose what to include?

Once I’d decided on the premise for the play, I just started at the beginning of her life and went through it all to about age 55.

I first included many more of her films, but after the first couple of performances, I realised I could cut some of it for a more concise show.

So I haven’t managed to include all of her films, but I think the more memorable ones that had more interesting stories remained in the play.

There are many things I wasn’t able to include, but there are some other interesting facts that I can talk about in Q and A’s. I hear people who watch the show often go home wanting to know more and read up on her.

She had such an interesting and full life. I think it’s good to leave the audience wanting more and wanting to watch her films again.

You’ve played real life figures before, notably Zelda Fitzgerald. Is it easier to play these characters rather than those you have to build from the page?

I have been lucky to have played these real people, and I loved the research into their lives and creating similar characteristics. I’m not sure whether I prefer playing real people, or fictional characters..

But I do know that I have been very lucky in my career to have ‘created’ roles for the first time.. which I do love, rather than taking over a role from other people in ready created shows and performances..

I love to find the character myself, during rehearsal, and honing it through performances.. 

The Essence of Audrey has been touring in the UK. Where has it gained the most positive reception?

Each time I perform it.. it feels different, especially with different audiences. Each performance, I have had wonderfully positive responses, and I’ve gained in confidence each time.

As I’m not performing it every day, each show is like an ‘opening night’ as I often have months between shows… so it is rather nerve wracking, as it’s just me on stage, and it’s an hours worth of dialogue for me to remember.

But I have honestly loved every show.. and love meeting people afterwards and hearing their thoughts .. luckily, audiences have always been very positive and supportive. 

Do you find it more satisfying to perform your own material, or that of others?

I am finding this show extremely satisfying, knowing I have created it and have made I happen, and I’ve had such great feedback.

I never imagined I would ever write anything, let alone learn it and stage it.. so this is possibly the most satisfying thing I have done.

What’s next for you and the show?

I found a producer who is helping me book more venues for the show, Giles Shenton  from the last show I did at the Union Theatre in London, so I have him helping me with that.

He understands how it works to put on a show and promote it, all the things I find hard to do myself, as it’s such a different side to the job that I’ve never had to do before.

So I’m planning on continuing to tour the show around the country and I’d love to take it abroad as well.. especially to Switzerland, and visit the areas where Audrey lived during her life. 

As she was known and loved world wide… I think the show would work anywhere in the world… I also love to travel.. so that would be a dream as well.