Linck & Mülhahn (2024)
by Ruby Thomas
Performances: Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 September 2024, Old Fire Station
Contents
Introduction
It is life's great aim. To find a way to be honest with oneself, even as the world pretends around you. Dashing soldier Anastasius Linck has no intention of falling in love, but a chance encounter with the rebellious Catharina Mülhahn changes everything.
As they begin to forge a relationship that breaks boundaries and rejects the rigid rules of their society, they find themselves confronted by a world determined to tear them apart.
Preview from the SLT Website
What inspired you to direct this play?
I saw this when it premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 2023 and was totally blown away by it. After the curtain call I couldn’t leave my seat for a while. It’s a brilliant story about a relatively unknown queer person and a love that wasn’t allowed to be. As a part of the LGBTQIA+ community the hope that resonates throughout the play really spoke to me. I’m overjoyed to be able to bring this to our SLT stage and tell the story for only the second time ever.
Its narrative is based on true events from the eighteenth century - how does this resonate today?
It shows us how far we have come in acceptance and tolerance for all types of love. We are a cast and crew of LGBTQIA+ and allies, and we feel that showing how things were in the eighteenth century highlights where we are as a society now; one where people can be themselves, exactly as they are.
It also shows us how far we have come in the rights of women since then. Catharina is trapped by the rules around her, specifically for her sex, and she breaks them with gusto. There’s a host of other female characters in the show who are dealing with life the best they can, despite being born to what was then classed as the inferior sex.
Tell us about the characters we'll meet
Our story is told by The Spinster (Carole Coyne), reminiscing on her life. She introduces Anastasius Linck (Ali Gibson), a dashing soldier who falls in love with Catharina (Han Evans), who is feisty and unhappy with her lot in life. They meet and it’s a whirlwind romance.
You’ll meet Catharina’s Mother (Hannah McCorry) who just wants the best for her daughter, but who is also trapped by the rules for her sex. There are friends and foes we meet along the way, Anastasius’ friend ‘Soldier’ (Daniel Cox), various townspeople and then the Judge (Steve Pleasants) and the Jury (Ensemble) – judging a love they do not understand.
What have been the directing challenges for you?
Getting a big cast all together in the same room is always a challenge! We also focused on the intimacy of the play, making sure everyone was comfortable with the level required and that we could make it look convincing and do justice to the relationship between Anastasius and Catharina.
We also had some sword play to choreograph which has been fun, and I’ve never directed a play with that in before. And for some cast members, it has been hard to see the attitudes from some of the characters towards the two protagonists because of prejudice they have also faced, so we’ve had a few tears and emotions, which we’ve all shared and healed from.
What do you hope the audience will take away?
Love is love. And that there is so much hope in the world now. We still have a way to go and acceptance is not widespread but tolerance and kindness do prevail.
Can you sum up the play in three words?
Queer, inspiring and truth.
Cast
- Catharina - Han Evans
- Anastasius - Ali Gibson
- Mother - Hannah McCorry
- Spinster - Carole Coyne
- Girl / Ensemble - Thea Miller
- Maid / Ensemble - Nana Darby
- Soldier / Ensemble - Daniel Cox
- Johann / Ensemble - Greg Williams
- Doctor / Lady / Ensemble - Rebecca Law
- Captain / Cornelius / Judge - Steve Pleasants
- Juryman 1 / Ensemble - Alice Wilson
- Juryman 2 / Ensemble - Isabella Breslin
Crew
- Assistant Director - Nana Darby
- Stage Manager - Mark Ireson
- Assistant Stage Manager - Harri Compton
- Set Design - Jo Boniface
- Lighting Design - James Jackson
- Sound Design - Jo Boniface
- Operator - Caroline Durant
- Costume - Bex Law, cast and crew
- Build Lead - John Winters
- Build Crew - Graham Clements, Mark Ireson, Noah Wright, cast and crew, the Kitchen Sink team
- Production Photography - Phil Gammon
- Poster Photography - Cambria Bailey-Jones
- Choreographer - Kelly Kim Clements
Special thanks
All the volunteers that make shows at SLT possible; Sean Thomas; Lisa Thomas; The Miller Centre; Theatre Committee and General Council; Hampstead Theatre.
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.
Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.
