Interview: Actress Emma Kingston on THE PURISTS at Kiln Theatre
The European premiere of Dan McCabe’s The Purists will play at the Kiln Theatre next month. We spoke to actress Emma Kingston about her role in this new piece of theatre and her career to date.
Can you tell us what The Purists is about and who your character is?
The Purists is about five people who spar about hip hop music on a stoop in Queens, NY. Ideals of race, sexuality and misogyny are confronted through music and who these different genres are for. I play Nancy, a musical theatre girl who loves hip hop. She is writing her own show and hears that Gerry (who she works for) is friends with one of her favourite rappers, Lamont Born Cipher. She is desperate to be introduced. When she meets him and a few others on the stoop, she ends up rap battling with Val. They all realise they have more in common than they realised.
What appealed to you about being involved in the European premiere of The Purists?
When I first read the script, I really resonated with Nancy. She is a go-getter, creates her own work and is inspired by so many different genres of music. She is very passionate about music and theatre. Being a huge musical lover and having been in a show like In The Heights (written by Lin Manuel Miranda), I really felt a lot of connection to this character. It’s also really exciting to work at theatres like Kiln and create new pieces of work.
The show is set in New York but what do you think it has to say to British audiences?
I think it’s five people from all different walks of life who come together to have a conversation. They are confronted with ideas and opinions that are different to their own and it’s how they react and talk about it. I think any audience can resonate with a group of people discussing differences of opinion.
People will likely know you for your amazing voice. What role does music play in this show?
Aw thank you! Music is really the central character of the play. The topic of conversation is about music; the origins of musical theatre and hip hop. Who created the form? And who should the group of people to carry the torch and tell those stories be? There is also a lot of music infused into this story. Hearing musical excerpts or some of the characters showcasing their MC and DJ ing skills.
Over the years you've performed in lots of big name musicals. How does working on a piece that's new to the UK differ?
It’s always amazing to work on new productions and the playwright Dan McCabe is writing some new scenes for this version too so it really does feel fresh. We have conversations all the time about how to bring all of our individual talents into the work which makes it a really collaborative environment.
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
There have been so many as I have been very lucky in my career. Any time I get to create a new version of something always feels special. I was in the Original London cast of In The Heights, The Band’s Visit and now The Purists. As long as I can keep doing great work with great people, I’m happy.
There's so much exciting new work happening beyond the West End. Why is it important that people support these venues?
Subsidised theatre and commercial theatre have to work hand in hand. Supporting regional and off West End venues is where you can see really interesting and creative work that pushes the boundaries. Certainly with Kiln, it provides affordable opportunities to come to the theatre. Theatres are a place to establish a community. With many of these smaller venues, they have such incredible outreach and educational programs for young people. To be able to inspire the next generation is so important. We must support these theatres and the work that they do.
The Purists plays at London’s Kiln Theatre from 14 November-21 December, with further info here.
