Interview: Zainab Hasan, King Troll (The Fawn)

Finalist for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Playwriting, King Troll (The Fawn) is a dark and otherworldly thriller about two South Asian sisters, desperate to escape the border regime without losing their humanity. Ahead of its run at the New Diorama Theatre from 4 October, we spoke with Zainab Hasan to find out more about the production. 

1.You are starring in Sonali Bhattacharyya’s production of King Troll (The Fawn) this Autumn. To start with, can you tell us what the production is about?

The production is about two sisters Nikita and Riya, trying to navigate the border regime and hostile environment of the Island that they live in. It's about belonging, both personally and politically. 

2. How does a production like King Troll (The Fawn) differ from the work you’ve done before and as a result, how has it challenged you as an actor?

I think I've been very lucky in being able to do work I care about that speaks to me politically, and in that sense, this play is very similar to other plays I've done. What makes it different however is the dystopian context and element in which these very real political issues are happening in. 

3. You play the character of Nikita, what has been interesting about developing them and have you personally connected with them so far?

I think I really connect with Nikita sense of justice. She's less about the individual and more about the collective and community. But within her sense of justice it's been really interesting to explore all her flaws. As she's multi dimensional much like we all are. And it's been interesting to think about her story arc, and how she evolves over the course of the play and what gets her there. 

4. Have you been able to relate to your character and has this had an impact on you?

Yes in the sense that I think our politics align a fair bit, and also coming from a working class background myself. What's different is that I've never had to experience the precarity of my citizenship in anyway. 

5. What has it been like working with the creative team in bringing this story to life?

The creative team have been fab, everyone brings in a different energy. We've been able to have a lot of fun with this play as we experiment with form and genre quite a bit. It's been a real challenge but a good one 

6. King Troll (The Fawn) tells the story of two South Asian sisters, why is it important to you that this culture is enabled to be the heart of stories on the stage?

I think the story humanises the sisters, they don't play a stereotype. I think culturally specific work is important but these two sisters being South Asian isn't really the focus. Their heritage is a given in the play but it isn't the focus.  We don't ever name where they are from exactly much like we don't name the island we are living on. We want to emphasise the universality of a lot of the themes in the play and how they affect a myriad of people. 

7. What has been the most challenging part of developing this show so far?

The context and research is quite sensitive and upsetting and while we are in a fictional world, these stories are influenced by real people. 

8. Does this show pull on any important topics for audiences to unearth, if so what are they?

Sisterhood, border regimes, belonging, loneliness, justice, systemic inequity, othering, love, friendship, battling our inner demons. There's so much. 

9. It is described as a dark and otherworldly thriller, what other thrillers can you compare it to that audiences will know if they are curious about what type of content it will contain?

I actually don't think I've seen anything like this so don't think I can compare it to existing things. It definitely takes inspiration from thriller and horror genres. We've all watched a fair few movies as research to get us here. 

10. Finally, why should people book tickets to see King Troll (The Fawn) at the New Diorama Theatre?

I think people should book because I think it's the first of its kind. In terms of the intersection of the genre and politics. I also think you go through the full spectrum of emotions on this play and experience really human interactions and relationships. If you want to see a really believable horror come because you'll be in for a surprise. 

King Troll (The Fawn) will play at New Diorama Theatre from 4 October - 2 November 2024.