Five questions with Susan Wokoma of 'The Real Thing'

The multi-talented actress, writer and director appears at The Old Vic in one of Tom Stoppard’s most renowned dramas about love and infidelity.

Known for screen roles in Enola Holmes and Chewing Gum, as well as a variety of stage work, Susan Wokoma is currently starring alongside James McArdle, Bel Powley, and Oliver Johnstone in The Real Thing at The Old Vic.

The Real Thing is considered one of the greatest plays ever written. What makes it so timeless?
Well – for better or worse – affairs are still definitely in vogue! It’s a story about very messy people told via the use of impeccably crafted language. It’s at turns Stoppard levels of clever but with real guts and heart. Beautiful and horrific – the best night out at the theatre.

Are all actors’/writers’ lives so tumultuous?
I don’t know an actor or writer who hasn’t had at least one period of utter chaos. I’ve seen artists addicted to it – creating a thrilling autobiography as you go. “Doing it for the plot”, as the kids say. Nowadays I prefer a more regulated nervous system, thanks!

In the play, your character, Charlotte, accuses the protagonist, Henry, of not being able to write believable female characters. Who’s the most gratifyingly written character that you’ve ever played? Why?
Aside from Charlotte? Ha! Well, I’d say on stage it was a play I did last year called Never Have I Ever by my friend, Deborah Frances-White. It’s definitely the biggest, most complex part I’ve ever played in theatre and it was written specially for me, which is such a gift. I was actually about to hang up my theatre shoes before that part landed at my door for the very same gripe Charlotte has about Henry’s writing of women.

You’re a writer as well – what’s your approach to developing great characters or storylines?
I always ask myself “why?”, “why this story, now?” – also, “why me?” I’ve spent years developing my voice and tastes, so if I’m going to go to the hassle of writing something, it has to chime with the core of me.

You’ve not only got a packed CV across theatre, television, film and voicework, but also across genres, like comedy and drama and roles like acting, writing and directing. If you could pick one thing to do for the rest of your career, what would it be?
Ooooh. Well, a couple of years ago, a former actress, now film director, pulled me aside and said, “I know you’re branching out and doing lots of writing and directing but please – don’t stop acting like I did”. There’s a playfulness that acting demands. And there’s a joy and silliness and beauty that can be located within it when you bring the right people together. I don’t want to lose that.

Book The Real Thing tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Susan Wokoma. (Photo by Alexandra Cameron)