Until Saturday 15th November, Abigail Cruttenden is playing Holly in Ragdoll at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London, and it is the world premiere of the Katherine Moar production. Abigail works alongside Nathaniel Parker as Robert, with Ben Lamb and Katie Matsell playing the younger versions of Abigail and Nathaniel’s characters, known as The Lawyer and The Heiress, with Ragdoll examining the relationship between Holly and her lawyer between 2017 and 1978, and it is based on Patty Hearst – the American heiress who was kidnapped in the 1970s and joined her kidnappers in holding up a bank and robbing a convenience store. Prior to Ragdoll, Abigail had been playing Alice More in A Man for All Seasons on tour and in the West End transfer at the Harold Pinter Theatre, where she worked with Martin Shaw and finished her run in September. Abigail chatted to us about playing Holly in Ragdoll at Jermyn Street Theatre, what it’s like working on the world premiere and her recent run as Alice More in A Man for All Seasons.
Can you tell us about the new play Ragdoll, which is currently open at Jermyn Street Theatre, and about your character Holly?
The play examines the relationship between Holly and her lawyer in 2017 and 1978. Holly is based on Patty Hearst, the American heiress who was kidnapped in the 1970s and joined her kidnappers in holding up a bank and robbing a convenience store. In 2017, it is Holly’s lawyer who needs her to speak up for him and he contacts her for help after 38 years. There are four of us, two actors for each character. The 2017 Holly, who I play, has buried her feelings about this episode in her past and is drawn back to seeing her lawyer, in the hope of understanding her past, reawakening her feelings of abandonment and anger.
What was it like reading Katherine Moar’s script for the first time and how is it being part of the world premiere production?
Katherine’s script is witty, insightful and moving and a real gift for everyone involved in the production. It is very exciting to be part of a new play and Katherine was in the rehearsal room with us every day. It is great to be able to work with a writer and clarify every thought. It was a very creative environment.
How is the run at Jermyn Street Theatre going so far and what are you enjoying most about working alongside Nathaniel Parker (Robert), Ben Lamb (The Lawyer) and Katie Matsell (The Heiress)?
The run is going brilliantly, very few tickets left now and it’s lovely to play to full houses. In the play, Robert and Holly have known each other for 38 years, exactly the same amount of time that Nat and I have known each other, although, unlike Holly and Robert, Nat and I have been in contact all those years and Nat has been a brilliant friend… even allowing me to use his home as my location when I recently made a short film. One of my favourite things about the play has been sharing the character of Holly with Katie Matsell, it’s a real gift to be able to watch Holly’s backstory being reenacted in front of me every night, by such a wonderful young actor, with the brilliant Ben Lamb playing the younger lawyer.
Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Ragdoll in London, and what are you most looking forward to as the show continues until 15th November?
It is a fun, fast-paced, witty and moving show. Jermyn Street Theatre is an intimate space and very special for it. The relationship between the audience and how they affect the actors on stage is palpable and it is an exciting night in the theatre.
In September, you finished playing Alice More in A Man for All Seasons; how was it touring with the production earlier this year and transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End?
A Man for All Seasons couldn’t have been a more different experience. It’s a great play, but certainly more patriarchal in feel and harder to navigate as a woman. The company was a dream and Martin Shaw is the kindest, loveliest leading man in the business.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?
I was born into a family of very keen amateur actors and directors. My first professional job was in a BBC Play for Today when I was 11 and I continued to work on and off as a child. I didn’t really make the choice to become an actor, it was always something I wanted to do and it’s part of who I am. I didn’t really learn to look at it as a job until I had children, partly because I didn’t go to drama school, I think, and I’m not very good at compartmentalising. However, once I had children, the line between work and home became more defined and I’m sure I have a more healthy relationship with acting as a consequence.