Jamie Rea on performing in Deafinitely Theatre’s Psychosis 4.48

By Rebecca-Anne Withey

This October Deafinitely Theatre launched their new tour of Psychosis 4.48. Although it is the same play they toured with last year, the cast is entirely different. The play, written by Sarah Kane, explores issues of mental health, depression and suicide. I spoke to Jamie Rea who plays one of the four actors in the show to find out what we can expect from this revival.

Hi Jamie, first of all – congratulations on the role with Deafinitely Theatre in 4.48 Psychosis. Can you tell me what attracted you to working on this production?

Firstly, it was the idea of working with Deafinitely Theatre that attracted me to the project because they are a Deaf-led theatre company, working in sign language through the rehearsal process and performance. This is my first language, through which I can fully express my character, working with the rest of the cast, who also use sign language (deaf and hearing) meaning we can collaborate together and fluently communicate with each other.

I am attracted to exploration, the depth of the language that Sarah Kane (the writer) wrote, to show that sign language can be equal as Spoken English. I love the opportunity that this play gives me to better understand mental health issues and emotions. I love the challenge of the translation processes from English written to British Sign Language.

Can you tell me a little bit about your background, how you’ve progressed as an actor to now working with Deafinitely Theatre

I am from a deaf family, raised in Northern Ireland, Belfast. I found the door of opportunity to become an actor by moving from Belfast to Glasgow, attending the Performance Arts 3 years course, that was set only for BSL and English students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It has changed my life, my eyes to see the real world, a bigger world.

Through this training I was enable to network with the wider theatre community and meet companies and directors. When Paula Garfield came to our class to meet my colleagues and myself, I was inspired to see her role and her work and I knew I had to work for that company someday and Here I am now.

You’ve achieved that ambition then! So seeing as this is a revival show, what has Deafinitely Theatre done differently this time around?

Well, I guess the first thing that I should mention is that we didn’t watch the play videos from last year. Paula Garfield has been open-minded and she allowed us to contribute to the play. This year, there are two young males actors  (myself and William Grint) who play the roles of patients and two female actors (Erin Hutching and Esther McAuley)

We are trying to keep Sarah Kane’s journey and respect her story, but at the same time enrich the play with our perspective and life experiences, creating our own journeys through her story.

What has been the impact of changing the actors – do certain characters come across differently?

As the casting is different, this naturally brings different dynamics and character development to the process. Statistically, we know that men who go through mental illness are at a greater risk of completing suicide, many do not talk about their experiences or how they are feeling.

This feels relevant in the casting of two young male actors as people experiencing serious mental health problems. The (hearing) female doctor characters range, sometimes empathising and trying to communicate, despite language barriers. This is what happens in reality.

How did you prepare for the role in Psychosis, given its dark nature? Are you and the other cast members being supported with your mental wellness?

Well, I first came across this play when I was at University. One of my colleagues had been working on a monologue from it and my first reaction was one of shock, at the dark nature of the play. I struggled to understand how, as an actor, it might be possible to express Sarah Kane’s journey (as this play seems deeply personal to her) how to convey her extreme experience and emotions. I feel an impulse to take it and embrace it. I want to understand it as much as I possibly could

Some doctors, such as psychologists and psychiatrists pay us a visited during our rehearsal sessions and they shared their work experience with us. I also talked with people who have been through dark times and shared their feelings, so it was good for me to understand more.

There’s Dr Jane, who is a physiologist, she comes every week, basically to allow us actors to have an individual therapy session. I mean we can talk about how we feel and look after our wellbeing and mental wellness through rehearsals and performances.

Throughout the rehearsal, the cast and I have become a good, close team. We take care of ourselves and each other, making sure we keep communicating about how we feel, after work and during break times. For this type of play, it is so important to get feelings off your chest before you return home.

What would you say is the overall message of Psychosis, what are you hoping the audience will take from it?

Everybody has a different relationship with mental health, a different journey of life. I hope that with our interpretation – different meanings and views combined, we can make people aware of such issues. It is important that we (the actors), respect the play and give our best performance on what Sarah Kane wrote towards the end of her life

About what I hope from the audience, it is really up to them and how they receive the play. I am hoping for the audience to feel hope and the connection. Of course, openness; for that I mean I believe it will be emotional…for all of us. After the show, I hope people will share their love, be accepted and be okay not to be feeling okay. Feel safe. I also hope for the audience to understand more about mental health and think of their friends who are or might suffer from it.

How do you feel Psychosis raises awareness of mental illness in the deaf community?

4.48 Psychosis is a well-known play about mental health and is very powerful. It has a beautiful dark nature. The more I learn about the real issues people go through and meet those who have actually through experiences of psychosis or severe mental health, the more I realise this play is likely to have an emotional impact. It will be an experience of pure empathy for some, for others, it may feel more reflective.

The deaf community have asked Definitely Theatre for this play to be brought back following the success of the previous production, as they wanted to see more. The demand was mostly from those who haven’t seen it yet, who want the chance to watch, listen and possibly relate to the experiences discussed through this difficult but beautiful play.

What’s next for you, after this? Any ambitions?

My next ambition, after this… well in my gut I know I have to be in musical theatre. I’d love to do a Pantomine as I thrive being dramatically free and expressing myself physically. I love signing songs. I am also a dragqueen performer, and feel it would be wonderful to be on stage with makeup on, wearing beautifully colourful costumes and dancing, either playing a villain or a hero!

Psychosis 4.48 is playing at Wales Millenium Centre this week. See www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk to find out more.