The Elephant Man | Meet Gráinne
19 Jun 2018Ahead of the The Elephant Man opening next week, we've been getting to know the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students. Here, Gráinne O'Mahony talks us through her experience of working on Bernard Pomerance's award-winning play.
Where are you from and how did you get into acting?
I’m originally from Co. Clare, Ireland, but I’ve moved around a couple of times, spending my teenage years in Dubai and then going to the UK for university and drama school. As a child I wanted to grow up and do every job under the sun—from being a ballerina to a doctor to the person who wears the Barney costume. It usually changed depending on the books I was reading or TV shows I was watching. Eventually I realised that what I actually wanted to do was portray these people. Then when I went to university, I fell in love with all things acting and met a lot of like-minded people who showed me that it was a viable career.
Who are you playing in The Elephant Man and what challenges have you faced in that role?
My character is Mrs Kendal, a celebrated Victorian actress who finds a kindred spirit in John Merrick. I haven’t played many people who have actually existed, let alone someone who seems to have done so as publicly as Madge Kendal. So, for me there was a challenge in marrying a historically-informed performance with the vivacious, warm-hearted and thoroughly modern character that Pomerance gives us.
What research did you do whilst preparing for your role?
I loved doing the research on this play. I wanted to immerse myself in her world, so I went to the Royal Hospital in Whitechapel to get an idea of our immediate setting, and read a lot about what it was like for middle-class women in Victorian society, for actresses, as well as some of her own writing. There’s an excellent book by Michael Howell and Peter Ford called The True History of the Elephant Man which discusses Madge Kendal’s real involvement with Merrick as well as another woman Pomerance’s character is based on.
What’s your favourite thing about training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School?
Due to it being such small school and course the BOVTS group is a very close-knit and supportive one, with real familial vibes. The school is literally made of two houses merged together, and the Clifton Downs is like its big garden out the front.
Are you excited to perform on the Bristol Old Vic stage?
So, so excited. The first thing I saw at the Bristol Old Vic was The Rivals with Lucy Briggs-Owen, before starting training. It was an absolute joy, and made me hungry to get on there myself.
The Elephant Man comes to Bristol Old Vic from 26 Jun – 7 Jul. Book your tickets here.
