Bebe Cave is currently starring as Alice Smith in Hedda at Orange Tree Theatre, which opened on Saturday 18th October and will run until Saturday 22nd November, and she works with a cast including Pearl Chanda (Hedda Gabler), Joe Bannister (George Tesman) and Milo Twomey (John Brack). Tanika Gupta’s new version of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler is directed by Hettie Macdonald and is inspired by the story of Anglo-Indian screen legend and Hollywood star Merle Oberon, which is a classic drama about blackmail, secrecy and power. Over the summer, Bebe took her Bebe Cave: CHRISTBRIDE to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the award-winning debut Best Comedy Show will be transferring to Soho Theatre in London from Monday 1st to Saturday 6th December, and will be directed by Millie Foy. We caught up with Bebe about starring as Alice Smith in Hedda at Orange Tree Theatre, what the character is like to play in the show and her award-winning debut Best Comedy Show – Bebe Cave: CHRISTBRIDE.
Was there anything that drew you to Hedda at Orange Tree Theatre and how was it reading the script to Tanika Gupta’s new version of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler for the first time?
I was so addicted to this script when I was first sent it before my audition, I read it in one sitting. I find all of the characters tragic and relatable and terrifying at once.
In the show, you will be playing Alice Smith; how would you describe the character and what is she like to play?
Alice is a complicated and emotional character. She comes into the show on a desperate mission of love and is put through many difficult circumstances – which is a thrilling and at times challenging role to play. I think I bring her frenetic energy to life.
Can you tell us about Hedda and why would you recommend booking tickets to see the show at Orange Tree Theatre?
This adaptation is so timely and totally original. Whether you have read the original or not I think it will be a perfect night of drama for audiences.
How has it been rehearsing for the production and being directed by Hettie Macdonald?
It has been an amazing workplace to be a part of, Hettie is so detailed and thoughtful. We have worked a lot on the characters’ backstories and made them into three-dimensional people. She has created an environment that feels like we are making fine delicate paintings of each character.
What is it like working alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Pearl Chanda as Hedda Gabler, Joe Bannister as George Tesman and Milo Twomey as John Brack, and have you worked with any of them previously?
I haven’t worked with anyone in this cast before but I sincerely hope I will be able to again. They are all so immensely talented and deeply funny people. Acting alongside them is such a privilege.
This summer, you took your one-woman show Bebe Cave: CHRISTBRIDE to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; how did the run go and what do you enjoy most about performing at the festival?
My show CHRISTBRIDE is performance-wise about as far away as you can get from this play, which has made it such an invigorating challenge for my brain. I adore performing live comedy but it’s a real treat to be performing alongside other actual human beings in this production. I just need to remember not to break the fourth wall!!
Can you tell us about CHRISTBRIDE and how long has the show been in the making?
I spent a year researching, writing and previewing CHRISTBRIDE before I took it to the Fringe. It was a labour of love!!
The show will be transferring to Soho Theatre for a week in December, who do you think CHRISTBRIDE will appeal to and how do you think it will be performing the show in London?
If you have ever found the idea of escaping to an isolated medieval convent filled with nuns talking to God instead of dealing with your real-life problems – you’ll like my show. It’s a medieval farcical comedy for all the family (if your entire family is okay with extensive amounts of swearing and blasphemy and burning at the stake).
Follow Bebe on: