Q&A: Actress Nathalie Armin on A LITTLE LIFE ahead of West End run

Photo credit: Jan Versweyveld

It might just be the theatrical event of 2023 as visionary director Ivo van Hove stages the English language premiere of A Little Life, which opens in the West End next week. During a small gap in rehearsals, we spoke to actress Nathalie Armin who plays Ana in the production.

What attracted you to the role of Ana in A Little Life?

I was primarily attracted to the story and Ana felt pivotal to that. In a sense, she functions as Jude’s subconscious. She’s the only character who knows his history and she’s able to instruct and guide him when he needs it most.  

It’s the London stage première of Hanya Yanagihara’s novel. Do you think the translation and Ivo van Hove’s interpretation will be as well received by London audiences?

I hope it will. Bringing a well loved book to life is challenging in the best possible way. 

Primarily it’s a story about friendship, ambition, secrets and love. What can audiences expect to take away from this production?

All of the above. But the giant, complex love the characters have for one another is what I hope will resonate most.

The content deals with some hard topics including abuse, addiction, suicide. How important do you feel it is to portray these situations on stage and make people more aware they exist?

I guess it’s the responsibility of any art to hold a mirror up to the world and ask some difficult questions.

The play opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End on 25 March. Having also performed in other prestigious London theatres, which is your favourite to perform in and why?

Ooh, tough one! The Almeida and National‘s Lyttelton are right up there… but ask me again after I’ve performed at the Pinter.

A Little Life plays at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 25 March before transferring to the Savoy Theatre from 4 July, with tickets available here.