{"id":4937,"date":"2021-11-08T11:46:37","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T11:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/?p=4937"},"modified":"2021-11-12T15:59:28","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T15:59:28","slug":"drama-and-theatre-graduate-beatrice-hyde-on-her-suffragette-play-emmeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/2021\/11\/08\/drama-and-theatre-graduate-beatrice-hyde-on-her-suffragette-play-emmeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Drama and Theatre graduate Beatrice Hyde on her suffragette play ‘Emmeline’"},"content":{"rendered":"

We interviewed Kent alumna Beatrice Hyde, who studied Drama and Theatre, about her play ‘Emmeline’<\/a>, which is showing at The Cockpit in London from 3 – 14 November.<\/p>\n

“Emmeline follows the journey of the inspirational leader of the Suffrage movement on her life\u2019s mission to achieve the vote for women. Delving into the dynamics of the Pankhurst family, Emmeline explores the tensions that arose between her and her daughter Sylvia on militant tactics and social values, emblematic of the conflicts that divided the movement. Does the end justify the means? Should the cause come first, no matter the personal cost?”<\/p>\n

Tell us about the show, and your inspirations for writing it and producing it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

S<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0i<\/span>t first started when I was\u00a0<\/span>actually at<\/span> Kent doing my BA drama and theatre degree. In my second year I did a <\/span>theatre<\/span>\u00a0in adaptation module looking at how you adapt different sources into<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>theatre,<\/span>\u00a0and I\u00a0<\/span>was interested in bringing<\/span>\u00a0t<\/span>o stage the life of an inspirational historic female figure. I was <\/span>actually browsing<\/span> in the University <\/span>Library,<\/span>\u00a0and I came across Emmeline Pankhurst<\/span>\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0autob<\/span>iography<\/span>; <\/span>My own story<\/span><\/em>\u00a0and I ended up just being curled up in the little corner of the library, reading it for hours because I was so captivated by the\u00a0<\/span>story<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the w<\/span>hole of the suffragette movement, everything that these women went through: their courage, their sacrifices, all the stages from peaceful protests to<\/span> being force-fed in prison on hunger s<\/span>trike; the police brutality<\/span>\u00a0t<\/span>hey faced;<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0different tactics<\/span>\u00a0t<\/span>hey had to escalate<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0from windows smashing to arson.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I found it <\/span>incredible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pe<\/span>ople generally know things <\/span>about the suffragette movement, but not the <\/span>complexities of it and<\/span><\/span> I was particularly struck by the\u00a0<\/span>conflict within the Pankhurst family themselves, between Emmeline Pankhurst and her dau<\/span>ghter Sylvia, around issues such as militancy and militant tactics like violence and protests. <\/span>I felt like these issues are still\u00a0<\/span>really resonant<\/span>\u00a0today<\/span> in terms of intersectionality within feminism, in terms of violence and protests, which is still very controvers<\/span>ial whenever it’s used, and I think particularly for women.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span>fter I’d conceived of the idea I had to<\/span>\u00a0p<\/span>itch the whole idea and write a portfolio about it, but not actually write the play at that point. I then did a study abroad year at Berkeley in California between my second and third year at Kent, and I did some playwri<\/span>ting modules while I was there. I<\/span>n order to<\/span>\u00a0get into the\u00a0<\/span>class,<\/span>\u00a0I had to submit an example of my writing.\u00a0<\/span>So,<\/span>\u00a0I\u00a0<\/span>wrote a few scenes for this\u00a0<\/span>play<\/span>\u00a0and I didn’t really expect to do much more than that, and I thought I’d just write it to get into the class\u00a0<\/span>and then work with something else.<\/span>\u00a0But the tutor there<\/span>\u00a0who<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span> was working with,\u00a0<\/span>Philip Kan\u00a0<\/span>Gotand<\/span>a,<\/span> told me I think that I should keep working on this idea. <\/span>\u00a0T<\/span>hen he said to me, I want to mentor you<\/span> to finish writing a first draft of the play. <\/span>I think having that <\/span>accountability and someone who’s setting you deadlines makes a big difference to help to keep<\/span> yourself motivated.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In my final year at Kent there was a Summer Arts festival in my last term. There was an opportunity to pitch an idea to put on a production and I pitched this play.<\/span>\u00a0I managed to<\/span>\u00a0get a slot in the festival to put it on at\u00a0<\/span>The Aphra Theatre on campus <\/span>and I directed it\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>a very short amount of time w<\/span>ith limited resources. I<\/span>t was amazing to get the chance to actually<\/span>\u00a0bring\u00a0<\/span>it to life and have actors <\/span>t<\/span>ake\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>script off the page. The props and costume department<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>\u00a0really helpful in terms of helping me to<\/span> create that period feel for it. There was only one performance, but I managed to invit<\/span>e a director of a theatre company called ‘<\/span>Theatre<\/span> Lab’ that I’d worked with in the past.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When she watched the\u00a0<\/span>production<\/span>\u00a0she <\/span>told me “this is the next play<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I\u00a0<\/span>want to direct with my company”<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>which was really exciting <\/span>and she worked with me on a one to one <\/span>level<\/span>\u00a0to develop the script<\/span>\u00a0after that<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Then<\/span> I did an M<\/span>A<\/span> Acting and <\/span>Ed Harris, <\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>playwright, came in to do some workshops with <\/span>us<\/span>\u00a0and I also\u00a0<\/span>sought\u00a0<\/span>some more mentorship from him on the script and continue to develop it.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I also reached out to Helen Pankh<\/span>urst, the great granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and the granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst and got some feedback from her on three drafts of the script<\/span>\u00a0because it’s real<\/span>ly important for me\u00a0<\/span>to get authenticity<\/span>. It<\/span> was a constant balancing act between<\/span>\u00a0getting\u00a0<\/span>the best dramatic play that will captivate people, and compressing a large timel<\/span>ine in history into <\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>production of two hours, but also to be as authentic and true <\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0what happened<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I was <\/span>surrounded by books and checking facts<\/span> and dates <\/span>a<\/span>s I was writing. Du<\/span>ring<\/span>\u00a0the lockdown I went<\/span>\u00a0o<\/span>n a few<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>writing retreats, just<\/span> working on the play and just getting into the zone, which was amazing. The performance ended up being postponed about three times because of Covid, but<\/span>\u00a0it was a blessing in dis<\/span>guise because I had more time to really develop and hone the script<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>So it’s very exciting that it’s <\/span>actua<\/span>lly opening<\/span> no<\/span>w at\u00a0<\/span>The Cockpit! <\/span>I’m\u00a0<\/span>really excited<\/span>\u00a0to finally be bringing it to li<\/span>fe<\/span>\u00a0for a larger audience in London. And we hope that<\/span> will have a life after this run as well.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having studied at <\/span>\u00a0Kent<\/span>, w<\/span>ould you say there’s be<\/span>en a lot of support to kick start your ideas?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It was<\/span>\u00a0great because<\/span>\u00a0d<\/span>uring the <\/span>theatre and\u00a0<\/span>adaptation module my tutor<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Margherita, gave me a lot of encouragement and really <\/span>positive<\/span> feedback on that portfolio. That <\/span>gave me a sense of the play having some potential. I think that the year abroad, where I then got to develop the play further, that<\/span> was a great opportunity. Also, the <\/span>Summer Arts Festival was a great <\/span>opportunity to pitch my own idea and get to direct it and to have the support and the resources to have a platform to show it; <\/span>without that I don’t think I would have been able to get this director to be able to come to come and see it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So,<\/span> I think that through those opportunities offered by Kent have given me the chance to<\/span> develop these ideas. Starting my degree<\/span> I thought of myself as pursuing acting and I<\/span> never really thought about writing that much . But I was keen to do a drama degree rather than go straight to drama <\/span>school\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>n order to<\/span>\u00a0be able to explore all of those different avenues\u00a0<\/span>within the<\/span>\u00a0world of\u00a0<\/span>theatre<\/span> and the arts. I think that being given the chance to explore different fields within the creative industry that also enabled me to discover a passion for writing as well <\/span>as for acting<\/span>. And it’s gr<\/span>eat because in this play I’m\u00a0<\/span>actually acting<\/span> in it as well and it’s<\/span>\u00a0c<\/span>ombine<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0both of my passio<\/span>n<\/span>s!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you first <\/span>came to Ken<\/span>t y<\/span>ou were very much <\/span>focused<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span> acting and drama and obviously diversified your interests<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>So<\/span>\u00a0what sort of\u00a0<\/span>ad<\/span>vice would you give someo<\/span>ne coming to <\/span>study Drama<\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I would say just to have an open mind. W<\/span>hile you may be <\/span>really passionate<\/span>\u00a0about one<\/span> career path, like acting or mayb<\/span>e producing, etc. to also just be open to discovering other passions and interests. <\/span><\/p>\n

I would say to make the most of the societies as well. I did a lot with the drama and musical theatre society and the Film Society<\/span>\u00a0while I wa<\/span>s at Kent.<\/span> I found that doing those activities alongside the courses were great practical ways to just be making shows, making performances, making films, <\/span>not just as a performer, but as a director or as a producer or marketing person. The hey have all these different roles and you could put into practice what you’re learning in theory, during the course.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00a0<\/span>definitely encourage<\/span>\u00a0people\u00a0<\/span>to make the most of the<\/span>\u00a0year abroad opportunity if you can.<\/span>\u00a0I t<\/span>hink it’s a great way of having some time to discover yourself and develop as a person outside your usual environment. <\/span>I think that it really pushes you to go out of your comfort zone to gain a lot of independence and confidence, which I think made a huge impact on my life<\/span> an<\/span>d I made some\u00a0<\/span>lifelong<\/span> friends when I was there too.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what’s next? Have you got <\/span>any\u00a0<\/span>plans for the future?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>I’ve been<\/span>\u00a0ve<\/span>ry focused on this project and <\/span>I’ve been trying to keep my energies on <\/span>that, but I do have<\/span> other ideas<\/span>\u00a0for plays<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0I want to\u00a0<\/span>start working on after this. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I’m <\/span>considering whether to do<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>nother\u00a0<\/span>MA<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in playwriting to deepen and hone<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span> craft.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>We’ve also invited artistic directors from various differe<\/span>nt\u00a0<\/span>theatres<\/span>, and we’re keen to move this play onto further venues to reach wider audiences; we’re actually keen to take it to Manchester because it’s the birth place of the suffragette movement and the home of the Pankhurst family, where they grew <\/span>up. We feel there’s a lot of cultural heritage there that the city is really proud of and we would be keen to try and<\/span>\u00a0b<\/span>ring that that play to\u00a0<\/span>them.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We interviewed Kent alumna Beatrice Hyde, who studied Drama and Theatre, about her play ‘Emmeline’, which is showing at The Cockpit in London from 3 … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76779,"featured_media":4938,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[807,50018,124],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4937"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76779"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4937"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4946,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4937\/revisions\/4946"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/arts-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}