Interview: Victoria Elliott on playing Sian in THIS IS MY FAMILY at Southwark Playhouse
Joyous and uplifting play, This Is My Family, makes its London premiere (following its Sheffield Theatres and Chichester Festival Theatre runs) at Southwark Playhouse Elephant later this month. We spoke to Victoria Elliott who plays Sian in the production.
What is This Is My Family about?
It’s a musical comedy set in the North of England by Tim Firth about a family on the precipice of change. 13-year-old Nicky (played by the fantastic Nancy Allsop) wins a competition to take her family on holiday – she can go anywhere in the world, and she chooses to go back to the British camp site where her parents first met in an attempt to bring the family back together at a time where they seem to be growing apart.
Tell us a little bit about your character. How much do you relate to her?
I play Sian – the mad Aunty! Tim (Firth) describes Sian as chaotic, irrepressible and voluble (I had to google voluble, it means she talks a lot!) Let’s just say it’s very well cast! I feel so much connection with Sian. She has reached her early forties, and her life doesn’t look like she thought it would. She’s searching for something to give her life meaning – a new man, a course in psychology, a motorbike. But she’s so funny and brilliant. I wish I’d had an Aunty like Sian!
It's taken a while for the show to get to London. Why do you think now is the right time for this show?
The show is funny and very entertaining while being so heartfelt and meaningful. I think right now, perhaps more than ever, we’re reflecting on family dynamics, relationships, how to imbue life with meaning, how to be good. This Is My Family is a very relatable look at the experience of ageing – from childhood up, and how at every milestone we have to choose whether to grow together or grow apart from the people we love. It’s also just a really good laugh with brilliant music and God knows we could all do with a bit of that right now!
What are some of your best memories from family holidays? And do you have any family holiday gone wrong memories?
My family went camping in Scarborough when I was about ten – it was an absolute disaster! The campsite was appropriately nicknamed “Dennis’s Dump” (I think the owner was called Dennis??), it rained for seven days straight, my Mam had just got divorced and was an emotional livewire, my Aunty had cabin fever and was fuming with us kids the whole time, and the dog kept running away. It was basically a week of playing cards in a static caravan and looking for a standard poodle on the stormy cliffs - VERY Tim Firth. It was one of those holidays that was horrendous at the time but became such fond folklore in the family, a real bonding experience!
What have been some of the highlights of your incredibly varied acting career so far?
My career has been a bit of a funny one – I give you that ha! I’ve kind of done a little bit of everything. I’ve been in the game for almost 20 years but in so many ways, I still feel like I’m figuring out what I want to do (bit like Sian!) I have so many highlights it’s hard to pick – I’m always just grateful to HAVE a job. In small ways, I’ve worked with some real icons. Working on I Can’t Sing! – Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s X Factor Musical was great. It was the first proper musical I’d done; I played the pound shop Cheryl Cole character ‘Jordy’ – Harry and Steve both sail over the comedy genius line so it was a real honour to be involved in originating the role. Sadly, Steve passed away last year – I feel so proud that I got to work with him – the word gets thrown around, but he was actually a comedy legend.
Ted Lasso was another highlight. I was a huge fan of the show, so when I got a part in series 3, I felt like a competition winner. Jason Sudeikis hi-fived me on set – I reckon that was probably the highlight of my career, ha! I did a scene with Hannah Waddingham, and she is one of the most brilliant and beautiful women. I was completely in awe of her.
You've done a lot of plays. How are you finding working on a musical in a very intimate venue?
Yeah, I guess we’ll find out. It’s difficult to imagine the feel of the space when you’re in the rehearsal room – you always just somehow play the room you’re in. I’m looking forward to getting into the theatre in a week or so and finding out what it is in that space. Vicky Featherstone (our amazing director) is always looking at the detail, she’s most concerned with getting the human story right – it’s an exciting way to work on a musical – it’s written and directed like a really good play and the music comes organically out of the truth of it. God, I don’t think I’ve ever sounded more actory ha!
What can audiences expect from This Is My Family and why should they come to see it?
Most of all, audiences can expect a really good night out. The cast are extraordinary, the music is fantastic, the show is funny and heartwarming. It is the perfect antidote to the world right now.
This Is My Family plays at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 23 May-12 July, with further info here.
