Interview: Actress Bryony Corrigan on NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND at The Watermill

A brand-new stage adaption of Bill Bryson's award-winning memoir Notes From A Small Island, affectionately celebrating the quirks and eccentricities of British life, will play at The Watermill in Newbury from next week. 

We spoke to actress Bryony Corrigan in rehearsals for this world premiere production.

Can you please tell us a bit about this new production of Notes from a Small Island?

This is the world premiere of Notes From a Small Island, the witty and wonderful book of British travels by Bill Bryson, adapted beautifully for the stage by Tim Whitnall. We see Bill (Mark Hadfield) as he travels across the UK, learning about its people, its customs and our quirky idiosyncrasies. The rest of our six strong ensemble cast play up to fifteen characters each, creating the unique array of individuals Bill meets along his journey. You can expect two hours of entertaining fun and adventure and you’re sure to spot some familiar faces…

Notes from a Small Island is such a well-loved book. Is it one that you were aware of before you started working on this production?

Shamefully, I hadn’t come across it myself. However, my entire family were scrabbling to offer me their copies of the book, so I was very eager to see what all the fuss was about. 

I enjoyed reading it enormously, it picked out so many references I recognised in such a humorous way. It’s lovely to come across the place you grew up or areas you’ve visited and go ‘oh God, we DO do that - he’s right!’.

How is it to be working at the Watermill Theatre? It’s such a beautiful location.

I’ve wanted to work at The Watermill for a while but had no idea what to expect from it. Friends who have worked here previously kept using the word ‘magical’ to describe it but I I wanted to wait to make up my own mind. Let me tell you, they’re not wrong, ‘magic’ is the perfect word. I feel a bit like I’ve been dropped in a fairytale and I’m thinking ok…when’s the witch going to bung me in the oven and wake me up. It hasn’t happened yet thank goodness. Though I can’t be sure there aren’t wolves in the woods surrounding the theatre…The main thing I’ve noticed about the place is how welcoming everyone who works here has been. The company I’m part of in London, Mischief Theatre, often describes its members as being part of a ‘family’ and I also get that same warm feeling here, that everyone who works here and is affiliated with it, sees it as a family. It’s a privilege to be part of that.

It’s fascinating to see a travel book adapted for the stage. It feels like this will be a production that takes the audience on a journey around Great Britain, is that the case?  

Absolutely yes. You will travel the length and breadth with us. Expect public transport as you know and hate it; the B&B’s you’ve stayed in at the coast, the glorious array of accents - distinguishable and not, from industrial towns to rolling hills. Just sit back and have a laugh!

How is it to play multiple different characters in Notes from a Small Island?

I love multi-rolling. My favourite thing about acting is when it’s transformative and I find it such a joy to be able to do that in this play, not just once, but many times. Learning and perfecting different accents has been interesting and the quick changes are going to be a thing of precision timing! But hey, who doesn’t enjoy getting half naked in a stairwell surrounded by your pals throwing wigs and jackets at you?…Just me?….OK.

How does it feel to be involved in another world premiere of a new production, not that long after being involved in the world premiere of Good Luck, Studio?

I feel very honoured to have been cast in both productions. Working on new writing is very exciting as it’s never been done before. As there’s no one to copy or rely upon except yourself, you have to follow your instincts and some helpful pushes from the writer and director, of course! Paul and Tim have been marvellous and have a very clear vision of what they’d like the play to be and they’ve worked in some truly stunning soundscape and projection too! It’s been great to develop new, exciting characters.

I’m very lucky. Thank you.

Notes from a Small Island plays at The Watermill from 3 February-18 March, with further information available here.