Henry Maynard Interview

Henry Maynard Interview

Director Henry Maynard brings Romeo and Juliet to Wilton’s Music Hall between Tue 10 – Sat 21 Jun 2025. We caught up with him to ask him about the production.

Q. Henry, congratulations on your forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. Flabbergast are applauded for their raw, visceral style and inventive approach to Shakespeare. What can we expect from your latest show?

A. We have really leant into the tragic space, bringing to bear elements from Butoh and ancient Greek theatre. We have been developing our musical practice, which we really feel heightens the tragedy and love in the piece. Of course, there is our unabashed embrace of theatricality and physical theatre, with a healthy dose of comedic turns from the clown characters, which helps to heighten the rollercoaster of emotions.

Q: There have been many reincarnations of Romeo & Juliet. What inspired you to choose the title and what did you feel you could bring to this famous story?

A. Romeo & Juliet is a particular favourite of mine; I played one of the titular roles at 19 before embarking on my training, so it had always been on my mind as one to revisit with my own company. We were excited to come back to a tragedy after doing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was such a raucous comedy. We wanted to bring our signature style of storytelling to the show. Shakespeare is often produced in such a dry manner, and we revel in chaos and shadow. We hope we have brought some well-needed energy to the show.

Q. The show is running at Wilton’s Music Hall, a wonderful theatre full of character and history. What will the venue add to the production and the audience experience?

A. Wilton’s is a dream venue for me. I love the way that they have kept the faded decadence rather than trying to update or renovate the soul out of the building. You can really feel the ghosts, and I feel like that is important! I’ve realised that I always imagine what my show will look like on their stage when I’m designing — it really speaks to my aesthetic preference to have the mechanics on show.

Q. You work with an immensely talented creative team. Can you tell us who is behind the latest production and how they’ll be bringing the show to life?

A. We do have an excellent team, and my preference is to build long-lasting collaboration with a real ensemble rather than hiring in jobbing actors. Matej Matejka is back again after his work with us on Macbeth — he is an exceptional Movement Director and choreographer who has worked extensively at the Grotowski Institute in Poland. He helps to push our already multitalented cast to their extremes. Simon Gleave, the Associate Director, is also excellent and has a plethora of skills from his training at the Lecoq School in Paris. Everyone has pitched in, with Daniel Chrisotomou doing fights, Lennie Longworth leading on song, and Nadav Burstein as an excellent Assistant Director. Both Kyll Thomas Cole and Vyte Garriga are also excellent devisors, and I’m astounded by their offers in the room.

Q. As director, what challenges have you faced during rehearsals and what are you looking forward to the most when the show is staged?

A. The biggest challenge is money and time — we are not regularly funded and so time is always at a premium. Although we have staged the show before, this was a major re-rehearsal, and we changed a great deal in order to take more theatrical risk. We only had two weeks, and the cast have really pulled it out of the bag! I’m looking forward to when the show has bedded in a little and we can really start to work on the details.

Q: As an award-winning performer and producer, you’ve worked all over the world creating inspiring and unique theatre. What is next for you after Romeo and Juliet?

A. I’m off on a writing retreat with my collaborator Jack Kelly (ofthejackle) for a week, then off to Poland to do a workshop with Matej on his ‘Liquid Way to Action’. In August, I am hoping to complete the purchase of a couple of farmhouses in need of major renovation in France. The hope is to create a home for Flabbergast where we can devise, teach, and do Theatre Lab work freely and easily.

Q. Flabbergast Theatre produce an impressive number of shows each year. What other productions can we see in 2025?

A. I am remounting Tatterdemalion at Jackson’s Lane on the 1st and 3rd of July (please come 😊). Then we are taking the rest of the year off to devise and prepare for our 2026 UK tour of Macbeth, which starts in February.

Flabbergast Theatre: Romeo and Juliet is performing at Wilton’s Music Hall from the 10th to the 21st of June. Tickets available HERE.

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