Interview: Actor Raiko Gohara on DANIEL’S HUSBAND at Marylebone Theatre
The long-awaited UK debut of Michael McKeever’s acclaimed off-Broadway play Daniel's Husband is hitting Marylebone Theatre this winter, and promises to be a poignant and provocative exploration of love, marriage and conviction. We chatted with Raiko Gohara, who plays Trip, to find out more.
What can audiences expect from Daniel’s Husband?
You can’t truly expect anything! Going in with an open mind is the best thing you can do. It’s such a beautiful, richly deep, and complex show with great shifts in pace. You might walk in feeling one way about a topic and leave completely changed or at least more understanding of the other side.
Can you tell us a little about the character of Trip, and what drew you to the role?
Trip is a fantastic character. After coping with the loss of his parents, he found solace in comforting and taking care of those who are sick. Throughout the show, Trip evolves into a loving and caring person, learning from the adults he’s fortunate to be surrounded by. He is young-spirited, eager-minded, and full of youthful energy, yet he carries an old soul. I really gravitated towards Trip as I see a lot of myself within the character. He has a beautiful story arc, and I really wanted to portray this.
How have you prepared for the role so far?
I’ve been preparing by watching plays and shows whenever I can. I haven’t played on stage since I was 18, when I was in the original London cast of the Broadway show Allegiance, which was four years ago. The team and actors in Daniel’s Husband have been such an inspiration and joy to learn from. Some of whom are Olivier award-winning actors!
Do you think the themes of the play will hit differently with today's audiences than those who saw its 2017 off-Broadway production?
Oh, absolutely! With LGBT+ rights constantly being questioned and put in the spotlight, even though we all know there are bigger problems that need attention, this play feels very important. In today’s climate, the show has taken on a new life and a contemporary understanding of the same issues and topics it explored when it was originally written and performed.
What sort of discussions do you think audiences might have after watching Daniel’s Husband?
I think audience members will discuss their rights, their understanding of civil partnerships or marriage, and themes of queer identity and relationships. Conversations may also touch on loneliness, purpose, and any other themes they’ve personally felt with or interpreted in their own way.
