In our profile series, Tell Us In 10, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions.
This week, we hear from Justin Audibert, who’s directing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s innovative gender-swapped production of The Taming Of The Shrew at the Barbican. Justin is also the current artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre.
1. My route into theatre was…
The Sooty and Sweep Show at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford on my 5th birthday where I got to make my birthday cake live onstage. Add in a dash of my Auntie Sandra taking me to the RSC for my 11th birthday. Followed that up with the brilliant Jeff Shaw at Wilson’s School expanding my literary horizons.
Then up to the Steel City where I joined Sheffield University Theatre Company and had the space to play, create and get stuff wrong. Before I then got to learn from Rob Swain and all the brilliant artists on the Birkbeck MFA in directing.
Finally, the most important shout out has to go to my Mum and Dad for making me believe I could be whatever I wanted to be.
2. My West End idol is…
Una Marson, who I believe was the first Black female playwright produced in the West End way back in 1938. Maximum Respect.
ENTHUSIASTIC!
Justin Audibert’s production of Beowulf at the Unicorn Theatre. Photo by Graham Michael.
4. My favourite show present or past (that isn’t one I star in) is…
Err… I kind of have to say Hamilton. It’s pretty peerless, although Matilda runs it a close second.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
I am going to have three if that’s ok?
Firstly the opening night of The Jew of Malta where my Auntie who took me there as an 11 year old was able to see a show directed by her nephew at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Secondly when a young person came to see My Mother Medea at the Unicorn and said to their teacher: “Miss you told us we were going to the theatre but that was much better than the theatre.”
The Unicorn Theatre London Bridge
And lastly seeing those enormous posters for The Taming of the Shrew with all those inspirational female actors plastered all over London Train Stations. (I am a secret nerd for transport so it’s a win-win for me).
6. The hardest part about my role is…
Working out how I can help other people as they are coming up in the industry from diverse backgrounds. That and not eating ALL THE SWEETS during tech.
7. If I didn’t work in theatre I would be…
Ideally a commentator on Test Match Special but probably something in politics.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
That I am a nerd for public transport but I did just give that away a few lines back. Oh and that I know all of the lyrics to Regulate by Nate Dogg and Warren G.
Related Article: Tell Us In 10: Amaka Okafor
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Always be the stupidest person in the rehearsal room. That way you are always learning and can always get better.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Maybe you don’t need to go partying EVERY weekend Justin…
You can grab tickets to Justin Audibert’s current production of The Taming Of The Shrew through the button below.