Ahead of a brand new adaptation of Arthur Wing Pinero's The Cabinet Minister at the Menier Chocolate Factory this Autumn. A sparkling story of marriage, blackmail and class war that is being newly adapted by Nancy Carroll, we spoke with actor Phoebe Fildes to find out more.
Phoebe FIldes headshot.
1. To begin with Phoebe, can you tell our readers about The Cabinet Minister?
Our version of the play is a brand new and brilliant adaptation of the Pinero farce, written by Nancy Carrol (who plays Lady Katherine Twombley). The story is set in 1989 and centres around the aristocratic Twombley family and their journey to protect their reputation at all costs. Their escalating debts are exploited by siblings Fanny and Bernard who arrive at the Twombley townhouse with their own agenda to rise to the societal ranks and don’t intend to let anything hold them back!
2. You take on the role of Fanny Lacklustre who is a unique and intriguing character. How did you go about understanding and connecting her personality and quirks?
I think Fanny is a person who has never felt that she belongs anywhere and this need to feel seen is what motivates her actions throughout the play. Her brilliant quirks and idiosyncrasies are born out of this need to impress and be accepted by the higher ranks of society. Laurence (who plays Bernard, Fanny’s brother) and I did a lot of research into what their early childhood would have been like and the conditions of poverty that they would have endured. It was useful to understand what drives Fanny’s deep seated desire to escape her circumstances.
3. Your character often brings humour to the story. How are you balancing the comedic aspects of her role with any underlying emotions or themes?
Honestly, I think Nancy’s adaptation is so precise and carefully constructed that this balance already exists in the writing! The audience sees how high the stakes are for Fanny and Bernard all the way through the play so that even in moments of heightened comedy, we never lose sight of what drives them.
4. Were there any challenges in bringing Fanny to life on stage? How did you approach these challenges?
I think the biggest challenge for me has been capturing Fanny’s distinct identities; the person that she is around the Twombleys and the rest of society versus the ‘real’ Fanny that we see when she is alone or with her brother, Bernard. This is something I’m exploring all the time and I’m really looking forward to seeing where it settles after another couple of weeks of rehearsal. Similarly, I’ve loved experimenting with Fanny’s status in the play; the moments that we see her totally in control and those where we see her losing her footing. I think the challenge is to ensure that her deception of Kitty doesn’t look or feel too easy for her.
5. Do you have any particular moments or scenes that are a joy to perform? Why?
I have so many! The most fun I think I have onstage comes in the moments where you see Fanny’s duplicity and her societal mask slip. There is something delicious about sharing the secret of her identity with the audience throughout the play. There is a brilliant scene where Fanny seduces a young Scottish nobleman with all guns blazing and that is a definite favourite, too! Finally, Sarah Travis’ masterful music elevates the drama at its key moments and it’s a real joy to be part of an ensemble of musicians playing it live. It feels like we suddenly have access to a whole other language of communication with our audience and it’s what I adore about being an actor-musician.
6. Finally, what can audiences expect from Nancy Carroll’s new adaptation of The Cabinet Minister and why should they come and see it?
People can expect a truly entertaining evening with lots of laughter! The show is fast paced and witty with a colourful kaleidoscope of uniquely defined characters that the audience can’t help but fall in love with. I think Paul Foster’s direction of the show makes it feel alive, vibrant and bold. Janet Bird’s authentic set and costumes are exquisite and the music by Sarah Travis is absolutely beautiful. I also love the fact that this brilliant adaptation doesn’t shy away from the gritty and darker themes that lurk beneath the play’s light and frothy surface. There are some extraordinary comic turns by members of the company and I can’t wait for our audiences to share them with us!
The Cabinet Minister plays at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 16 November 2024.
