An adaptation of the classic Strindberg play, After Miss Julie places the title character in 1945 on the eve of Labour’s historic landslide victory. Julie is daughter of a powerful MP, and her disastrous forbidden fling with her father’s chauffeur, John, becomes the battleground for social commentary on class, gender, and manipulation. Taking place in the kitchen of an English country house, where class boundaries begin to blur amid the changing social order, Julie, John and the cook he is engaged to, Christine, enter into a tense battle of power and control. We sat down with Charlene Boyd who plays Christine, to discuss her upcoming performance.
What drew you to Christine when you first read the script?
The character of Christine is very different to any characters I’ve played before. She has a real stillness to her. She’s grounded. I’m drawn to her way of living. Her contentment. Her backbone, compassion and loyalty.
What has been the biggest emotional challenge of playing Christine?
I am finding Christine’s emotional journey in general challenging. The thoughts and feelings are very clear but the pain is brutal and she will now be forever changed. Exploring betrayal affects self worth very much and being Christine going through this is excruciating, then repressing those feelings and pushing through and finding that anchor of resilience.
How do you protect yourself after living inside such a tense story night after night?
I protect myself with just a very normal life. Acting is my job. I’m very aware it isn’t real. I have my dinner, do a warm up, go to work l, perform on stage then after, I let it go. I love my job and I don’t let it affect my own sense of self.
How does it feel to be part of a revival that feels so relevant now?
I am thrilled to be part of this revival. The team are at the top of their game and I genuinely manifested working on a Patrick Marber piece. No specific one, I just wanted to work on his writing. The Park is such an exciting theatre and KB Productions are hot and exciting. The buzz around this show is electric and it’s super exciting to be a part of the show lead by Dadiow.
What do you hope audiences understand about Christine by the time they leave the theatre?
I would love audiences to understand that Christine is no moan or frump. She is a good woman, a great match for John. I don’t want people to right her off in any way in order to understand and accept what John did. The fault lies with John, Christine continues to turn up for him and how he betrays her is at no fault of her own.
After Miss Julie runs 11-28th February at Park Theatre. Tickets are available here.