We sat down with Safiyya Ingar who plays Riya in New Diorama’s King Troll (The Fawn).
King Troll is about the troll that lives within all of us – whispering ‘me, not us’, and definitely ‘me’ first.
“Big, angry bear,
Drags you by the hair,
Rough, wet tongue,
Licks you ‘til you cum.
Sharp, curved claws,
Tear your silky drawers,
Smooth, arched back,
Hear your spine go crack.”
4th Oct-2nd Nov
What’s King Troll (The Fawn) about?
For me.. King Troll is about what it means to stare into a mirror. And to face who you are. Who we are all capable of being..
Who do you play? What are they like?
I play Riya! She is a bundle of nerves. The result of a broken system. A system that doesn’t favour women like her. She’s bold and strong not because she wants to be but because she has to be. And it doesn’t always work for her. And that frustrates and upsets her. I think a lot of people might see a part of themselves in Riya. I think we’re all reaching a point where holding the world up is feeling all consuming.
How have you been preparing for the role?
I’ve been focusing alot on the relationships that she has within this world. Of which there aren’t many. And that lends itself to her fear and isolation which then leads her down the path we see her travel on. This is a beautifully company based piece so building that connection with each other has been key.
As for the outside work.. its a strength but also a monumental curse that any child of an immigrant has an inherent knowledge and understanding of how broken this system is. All of it. That mess and chaos that I feel in the real work is what charges my journey in this piece. The only difference is how I respond to the circumstances I’ve been dealt vs Riya. It’s a wonderful challenge to explore.
What drew you to work on this project?
The team. First and foremost. Sonali is an incredible writer (yes I’m biased as I’ve worked with her before on Two Billion Beats) and Milli is a director I have always wanted to work with!
Zainab who plays my sister is a fantastic actress and an incredible human being. Honestly the more I read about this gig I knew I just had to do it. Its everything I love about theatre! Also I’ve never done a horror before!!
How did you get into acting?
I went to college and did a BTEC in acting and the old timer who ran the course had an MO of getting working class kids into drama school. I didn’t know anything about that world. This world. It’s all so inaccessible for people from low socio-economic backgrounds. But he opened up a path for us and I just ran down it as far as I could… 8 years later the paths have grown, snaked in different directions, I’ve hit brick walls, smashed through them. It’s all a very sappy watered down way of saying I fell into it and I’m still going! The luck I’ve had mixed with hard work and the opportunities gifted to me by incredible creative in this industry who believed in my is how I’ve gotten as far as I have.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You are so strong. And beautiful. Trust yourself and keep going! Stop standing in your own way. Stop doubting. Just go for it!
Why should readers come and see King Troll (The Fawn)?
It’s spooky season guys! Come have some Fawny fun!!