Jade Anouka x Original Magazine
Part 2
Alongside Jade Anouka’s discussion about all things Dune: Prophecy, the seasoned actress kindly took the time to share more about her recent personal pursuits. After a stellar run on stage and screen (most notably her one-woman show Heart, her role in His Dark Materials, and her long stint performing in The Shakespeare Trilogy), Jade has amassed a wealth of experience in the creative industry. But how has writing and producing changed Jade’s acting process? Where will the multi-talented actress turn her hand next? Original Magazine sat down to find out:
What were the biggest lessons you took away from your time writing, producing, and starring in your stage show Heart? Did it impact the way you approach TV and film projects?
“It definitely had a direct impact on how I view theatre. With TV and film, it’s such a different process. There wasn’t a situation where I came back to film and it felt different. I think, just in terms of being in the industry and being the writer, producer, and director, you gain a renewed sense of appreciation for those roles. You do go in with more confidence once you understand the process more, which just comes with being in the industry longer and doing more work. You kind of go, ‘Okay, I can relax now and concentrate on my role.’ Working on Heart was brilliant, but I was split between actor Jade, writer Jade, and producer Jade. It was really lovely to know that everything else was being handled by some of the best in the business. I just needed to worry about my role and telling the story.”
Can you describe the differences you’ve experienced as a stage performer and actor for film and TV? Perhaps you can also speak about the audition process for both?
“The audition process for this (Dune: Prophecy) was a lot longer, but I’ve shot a role in a project this year where I was cast and then the next week was fitting, and the week after that we were shooting. You never know. I think in terms of the process, you’re in and out more with film and TV. Especially with shows like Dune, where there’s a big ensemble cast, there’s not really any one person who’s in every day. You’ll rehearse, then have a few days of filming, then a week off, and then two more weeks of filming before another month off. That’s a different skill—being able to step out and get back in.
In theatre, once you’re in, it’s intense and you don’t come out for however many months. There’s a lot of rehearsal, so when you do theatre, it really does feel like a theatre family. It can be quite intense. But we shot Dune abroad. None of the main characters were based where we filmed in Budapest, so even when we weren’t working together, we’d just be hanging out because we didn’t know anyone else. We very much felt like a family in a similar way to theatre.”
Compared to most theatre experiences, your role in The Shakespeare Trilogy must’ve felt like a theatre family on steroids!
“I was very lucky! I was in every single iteration from 2012 to 2018, so that was really intense. That’s another example of female-led work. We did the first play, and there was a lot of pushback—a lot of people thought it was an abomination of Shakespeare and theatre. All props to Phyllida (the director) for doubling down and doing it again. By the time we did the third, we got people onside. Maybe that’s what we need to do with Dune !”
Out of every character you’ve ever played, which do you think deserves a reprise?
“I loved playing Hotspur from Henry VI. There was so much about that role that I just loved. He was a boxer, so I had to train to really get myself to a position where I could run up and down the stairs and do push-ups and pull-ups. I just found that character really took up a lot of space and didn’t apologise for what he had to say. It’s so rare to be able to do that as a woman anywhere—to be unapologetically yourself. It was a real treat to experience.”
Finally, where are you going to take your interdisciplinary talents next?
“I shot a bit on the new Sandman series, so look out for that. That should be fun. In terms of me and writing stuff, things will happen, I’m sure. I’m definitely writing myself characters that take up space and don’t apologise for who they are! Also, my play Heart is available to buy as a play script, which is such a big thing for me. I hope people enjoy reading it.”
MUA: Sam Lascelle
Photographer: Anna Michell
Massive shout out to Jade Anouka for sitting down with the O.M family. Check out more of Jade’s work @jadeanouka x Public Eye