Interview: Cat Simmons, starring in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith

Cat Simmons is currently starring as Titania in the Lyric Hammersmith and Filter Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Co-directed by Sean Holmes and Stef O’Driscoll, the show has returned to the Lyric where it previously ran to acclaim in 2012.

The show is described as a “riotous reinterpretation of one of Shakespeare’s best loved plays”. With music from the London Snorkelling Team performed by Chris Branch and Keith de Barra, this classic tale of young lovers and warring fairies is given a unique and irreverent twist. 

Cat recently reprised her performance as Nancy in Oliver! at the Leicester Curve, having previously played the role in the UK touring production. 

Just a few of her extensive theatre credits include: Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern (Arcola/Watford Palace), Hopelessly Devoted (Tricycle/UK Tour), Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych), Coming Home (Arcola), Lightning Child & Macbeth (both Globe), Decade (Headlong), Been So Long (Young Vic), Aladdin (Old Vic) and Fame (Cambridge). On screen she has played DC Kezia Walker in The Bill and Scarlett Anderson in Family Affairs.

I recently spoke to Cat about throwing herself into this bold reinterpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, pushing herself out of her comfort zone and what it was like to recently reprise her performance as Nancy in Oliver!...

This is a very bold reinterpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Did you know what you were letting yourself in for when you were offered the role?

Well I saw a Filter production of Twelfth Night at the Tricycle back in 2010 – I thought it was wild, anarchic and just crazy! The interpretations of the characters were fantastic and so fun yet still paid homage to the text – that’s what I liked about it, it put a new spin on a classic text. Going into the rehearsal room for this was a little daunting at first, most of the company had worked together quite a lot before. It has been a brilliant process! It has been so exciting – rock music… Shakespeare… comedy… breaking the shackles of all the conformities that go with this tradition…. I’m well up for it!

Full casting announced for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith

Full casting has been announced for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Co-directed by Sean Holmes and Stef O’Driscoll, the production opens on 25th February (previews from 19th February) and runs until 19th March 2016. 

Jonathan Broadbent, Ed Gaughan, John Lightbody, Victoria Moseley and Ferdy Roberts return to the cast and will be joined by Hammed Animashaun, Andrew Buckley, Clare Dunne and Cat Simmons (pictured).

Interview: Cat Simmons

Cat Simmons is currently starring as Chess in Hopelessly Devoted by Kate Tempest.

Described as “a story of love and redemption”, Hopelessly Devoted runs at the Tricycle Theatre until Saturday 19th April following a successful UK Tour.

Chess is in prison. Facing a lengthy sentence, her cell mate, Serena, becomes her soul mate. But when Serena is given parole, Chess faces total isolation. 

Hope comes in the form of a music producer looking for a reason to love music again. She finds a powerful voice in Chess. But to harness her talent, Chess must first face her past.

Cat is best known for playing DC Kezia Walker in The Bill. On stage she starred as Nancy in the national touring production of Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver.

Her theatre credits also include: Billie Holiday in Lightning Child (Shakespeare's Globe), Witch in Macbeth (Shakespeare's Globe), Decade (Headlong) and Simone in Been So Long (Young Vic). 

I recently spoke to Cat about why she loves Kate Tempest’s work, working alongside an all-female cast and creative team, and why playing Nancy in Oliver was a dream come true…

Have you enjoyed your time touring in Hopelessly Devoted?

Yes, it’s been an experience! I’ve never toured one-night venues before. I guess it’s a bit like being a rock star, but without the glamour [laughs]. It’s been amazing! For me it’s down to Kate’s (Tempest) writing, she’s done a blinder. The story, the lyrical elements to the songs and the characters are genius.