Interview: Aoife Kennan, The Watch House

Embarking on a 12-venue engagement, Robert Westall’s novel The Watch House has been adapted into a new play by Chris Foxon. Presented by Olivier Award-winners Papatango, The Watch House is a funny and thrilling adaptation - perfect for this time of year. We caught up with Aoife Kennan who stars in the production to find out more.

Can you begin by introducing The Watch House and telling those who don’t know the story a little bit about it?

The Watch House is a spooky theatrical treat for Halloween season! It’s a ghost story set in Tynemouth on the north-east coast, based around the real-life watch house for the TVLB (Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade). I play Anne- a teenage girl from London who gets ‘dumped’ there while her parents finalise their divorce. But once she uncovers the secrets of the watch house, she gets drawn into a supernatural adventure.

What drew you into wanting to work on this stage adaptation of a classic book?

I didn’t know anything about the book or Westall when I auditioned for the show originally- I just really wanted to work with Papatango because I’d been following them for years and loved their shows. But it’s been amazing working with such a talented and inspiring team and finding the show and the story together.

Had you read the book before starting on this show? If so, do you think this has had an impact on how you approached it?

Confession: I started reading the book when we first began rehearsing, but very quickly stopped when I realised that Chris Foxon [the writer] had done something quite different with the story, and felt that it made more sense to focus on the script in front of me. But I do want to clarify that this was an executive choice. Please believe me when I say I’m a keen reader, and not just lazy.

How does it feel to bring Robert Westall’s iconic story to the stage, and what do you think makes this adaptation so compelling?

I think this adaptation is funny, frightening and theatrical in a really magical way. It’s proper story-telling and really draws the audience in.

Your character Anne is quite complex, what challenges and discoveries have you encountered while developing her?

Well, look, pretending to be possessed by ghosts is not as easy as it may seem. I’ve also had to repress all of my own people-pleasing tendencies, because Anne can be quite spiky. Her parents are divorcing and she feels very isolated- hence why she’s a prime target for ghostly intervention! She’s a teenage girl, full of contradictions, but ultimately she’s bright, loving, adventurous and a lot of fun to play.

How would you describe the atmosphere and mood of The Watch House, and what elements of the production team are particularly helping to bring that alive?

Without giving away any spoilers, light is such an integral part of the plot. George Turvey, our director, and Simon Cole, our lighting designer, have created something really beautiful with the set. If you love a decorative filament bulb- this is definitely the show for you. The overall effect is magical and eerie in equal measure.

Are there any particular scenes or moments in the play that have stuck with you?

My least favourite moment is getting a cake shoved in my face (although the audience seem to enjoy that bit), but the moments I really love are getting to watch Catherine (playing far too many characters to list) disco dancing, and listening to Donald (playing Arthur and Geordie) telling ghost stories. I could listen to Donald tell stories all day- I don’t have to act at all- I’m naturally spellbound. 

How will this production of The Watch House differ from other ghost stories that have been portrayed on stage do you think?

I’m not a ghost story expert- but I think it’s heart and humour that make The Watch House particularly special. And for anyone who’s visited Tynemouth, it’s such a beautiful and welcoming place and the play really celebrates that.

What do you hope audiences will feel or take away from your character and their overall experience of The Watch House?

I hope people leave feeling thoroughly entertained, and that anyone who hasn’t visited Tynemouth immediately books a holiday! 

Finally, why should people come and see the show?

Because it’s a great family night out, and perfect for this spooky season… 

The Watch House is embarking on a UK tour until 16 November.