• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides

Interview with Racheal Ofori, writer/performer of So Many Reasons

January 2, 2018 by Charlotte Vickers Leave a Comment

Camden Peoples Theatre’s festival of feminist work, Calm Down Dear, is celebrating its fifth birthday in 2018. This year artists of colour are in the spotlight, with Racheal Ofori’s So Many Reasons headlining the festival. This is Ofori’s return to the festival, after her successful first show Portrait premiered at Calm Down Dear back in 2015. So Many Reasons is an exploration of motherhood and generational divides, told through the eyes of a British Ghanian woman. We chatted to her just after rehearsals had begun.

How are rehearsals going?

Really well! We’re having a lot of fun, and it’s been interesting for me. My process is that I like to have it all written down before we go in, or at least as much of it as possible, rather than doing loads of improvising. I think maybe it’s the nature of this piece as well, that it is quite poetic – I’m not a freestyle poet, I can’t come up with that straightaway!

It’s a really great atmosphere as well, with just three women in the room. I’ve been thinking a lot about my career, and auditions that I’ve gone for, or meetings that I’ve had with people, and I feel like I’ve been very lucky to work with so many great women in an industry that is very much populated with men. It’s amazing to be in a position where I’m being funded to tell this story by and about women.

Tell me a bit more about So Many Reasons: why this show, and why now?

It’s a story about a girl who’s going through a lot of battles with what she’s grown up being told – from her friends, from her girlfriends, from her mum and her sister – and a very heavy part of this has been religion. It might not seem like it’s such a topical issue at the moment, but I think that faith and believing in something is always going to be integral to us as human beings. Watching somebody depart from something that they’ve always believed in is a fascinating thing to see. And it’s particularly about sex, that’s what she’s battling with God about. Everyone always loves talking about sex anyway, but it’s particularly interesting looking at it through belief, which doesn’t have to be religion anyway. It can be something like believing in a relationship that wasn’t real.

How about motherhood, how does that play into the show?

Growing up, our mums tell us so much that affects who we become, and it affects you in a way that you either go ‘fuck that, bye’, or you internalise it all. At some point in your life, which is what I find really interesting, you’re confronted by the mortality of the mother. She’s no longer this huge being that knows everything, and you’re like ‘wow, life has actually been really hard for you!’. You realise that your parents are just people, who’ve had their own lives. I think about my mum, and when she was my age she had three kids! It’s good to see it on stage, that exploration of mortality and mothers as human, rather than women just staying mothers.

How are you finding working with CPT again? Is there anything else at the festival you’re looking forward to seeing?

I’ve built up such a good relationship with CPT, with my first show being here three years ago. I just came with a show that I’d written, which was also kind of a work in process. It’s nice to come round full circle and be headlining the festival now. There’s a real strong foundation there, and it feels like a real level up to now headline Calm Down Dear.

There’s a show on as part of the festival called Sexy, which I’m really excited for! I’m just going to try to see as much as I can. We’re on first, so I just need to stay, don’t need to travel or anything!

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

The show will be fun! I know I’ve probably sold it as a really serious thing, like a grappling with god, but there’s loads of fun stuff in there too, and dancing, that’s going to happen. I’m really excited to be doing this story with loads of other characters contributing to the narrative. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.

 

So Many Reasons is on from 16th January – 3rd February 2018 at 19.15. Tickets are £12.00/£10.00 concessions, and available from the Camden People’s Theatre website. 

Author: Charlotte Vickers

Filed Under: Features, Interviews Tagged With: Calm Down Dear, Camden People's Theatre, Interview, racheal ofori, so many reasons

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre

Written by Fraser Grace (Breakfast with Mugabe, RSC), Bliss is based on a short story by censored writer Andrey Platonov. It’s at Finborough [Read More]

NEWS / Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced

Coming to Sadler’s Wells in September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about Shoot Festival

Shoot Festival returns this year with a mix of commissioned pieces and showcases of the best of Coventry’s arts scene. [Read More]

Review / The Man who Knew Too Much at Omnibus Theatre

A packed Omnibus Theatre lapped up the entertaining antics of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Co-Director and Co-writer Olivia [Read More]

Spotlight / Inua Ellams at 05Fest Lewisham

Inua Ellams, the Albany and WE ARE LEWISHAM  presents………. 05Fest, 10 – 19 March Poetry takes front and centre stage [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced
  • Kim Scopes tells us about Somewhere To Belong
  • Katy Owen: How to Apply to Drama Schools*
  • Inside Pussy Riot at the Saatchi Gallery
  • Into the Woods, Northern Ireland Opera
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Romeo and Juliet- Rose Theatre, Kingston Sublime Shakespeare.
  • Charlotte Vickers
    Author

  • January 2nd, 2018
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook28TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!