The Cast of The Beach House

Later this month, Jo Harper’s The Beach House (nominated for the Liverpool Hope Playwrighting Prize) will premiere at Park Theatre. We speak to all three cast members, Gemma Barnett, Gemma Lawrence and Kathryn Bond, about what audiences can expect from the three-hander.

Can you tell us about The Beach House?

Gemma Barnett: The Beach House is a new play about wanting to be seen and understood. It’s about how sometimes we can’t quite love each other in the way we need. It’s about all the icky in-between bits that aren’t easy.

Gemma Lawrence: The show explores the lives of three women navigating queer parenthood and love

Kathryn Bond: It’s a new play about three women trying to work out how to adult, parent and love.

How did you get involved in the project/what drew you to it?

GB: I auditioned for the project. Sent a tape in first and then recalled. I was very excited to work with Beth and perform some great dialogue with an incredible cast.

GL: I was drawn to telling a queer story with a queer cast. There’s not enough of these stories told onstage so representation really matters, and I wanted to be able to help tell this story as authentically as possible.

KB: I auditioned for the project. Chemistry read with Gemma felt good and I’m a huge Beth Pitts fan. I felt excited to tell this story about the fragility of love and to be part of an all-queer cast to tell this subtle but unique story of these three characters’ lives.

What do you want audiences to take away from the show?

GB: I hope they find themselves empathising with each and all of the characters at different moments. I want them to come away without being able to say someone was right and another wrong. Life can be messier than that.

GL: The play doesn’t judge its characters – they all behave in difficult ways, but it is coming from a very messy, human place. I hope that this gives the audience space to reflect on the ways in which we behave when really pushed to our emotional limits.

KB: I hope they enjoy taking a glimpse into the lives of three multifaceted characters.

Can you describe the show in 3 words?

GB: Queer, tender, messy

GL: Queer family madness.

KB: Layered, character led, complex

What’s next for you?

GB: My BBC commissioned short film comes out soon and I’m currently in the process of developing my next show which has been shortlisted for Unlimited and was commissioned by CPT.

GL: I’ve got some writing bits coming up which I’m really looking forward to. Storytelling but with a different hat on.

KB: I’m finishing my own script and back gigging on the comedy circuit.

The Beach House runs from 15^th February to 11^th March. For more information, visit Park Theatre’s website.