11 Questions with the Cast of The Suit – Rikki Henry

Rikki Henry is the assistant director of and appears onstage in The Suit.

What is your favourite play (either seen, read or worked on)?

Today it’s Uncle Vanya, tomorrow it’s probably Titus Andronicus, day after who knows.

What is your favourite midnight snack?

Ice cream. Rum with a bit of raisin.

What is your favourite word?

Amapotchefstroom. It’s in The Suit.

Proudest moment?

Learning to play a bit of Maid With The Flaxen Hair.

Favourite city?

London.

If days were 28 hours long, what would you do with the 4 extra hours?

Watch French cinema, it’s all I seem to be doing at the moment.

If you could be in a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Man Ray originals.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs that look like cats. Not Chihuahuas.

What is your favourite song?

At the moment, Cinematic Orchestra: To Build a Home.

If you could have been born in any era, which would it be and why?

The 60s.

If you could have any one supernatural power (flying, being invisible), which would you choose and why?

Telepathy. I have plans of world domination.

The Suit must close on 16 June. Book your tickets here.

Rikki Henry and The Suit in Paris

Rikki Henry went to Paris to assistant direct on The Suit – and wound up featured on stage in the production! We sat down with Rikki to chat about his experience…

Tell us about your background – when did you first get involved with theatre? And how did you come to work with the Young Vic?

I studied Film Production at the University for the Creative Arts. I went on to do Young Vic director training in 2008, then was given to the opportunity to work on other shows and projects.

What has it been like working with Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne in Paris?

An adventure.

Had you seen any of Peter Brook’s work before?

I saw Fragments when it came to the Young Vic.

Has the rehearsal period been different from rehearsing for a play in the UK?

Yes. It is not quite a process you learn, but one you live. Sounds pretentious (sorry!).

Is this the first musical you’ve worked on? Has working on a musical been any different from working on a straight play?
The idea I think was actually not to make a musical but to make a piece of work with music, so that it is like speaking, but better.

Walk us through a day in the life of an Assistant Director – what is a typical day for you like when you’re rehearsing?

There is often a lot of working and reworking of elements in the play. So we start of just working thing out. I wouldn’t say it has a typical stance, it just haofrd work, a process  trying to find magic. Sometimes we do exercises, some times not, sometimes it one actor working at a time on music, or character etc..

What do you like most about The Suit?

Its heart. The emotional colours that have been found. Like the introduction of classical music.

Did you know about Can Themba before you worked on The Suit? What have you learned about his life and work?

I was told to do some research on him and his work before I arrived, I read as much as I could about him. He’s a great writer. A lot of love and death.

The Suit begins Monday the 21st of May at the Young Vic, and tickets start at £10.  Learn more about the show and book here.