Rupert Hill on battling addiction and his play writing debut Husk

Rupert Hill, who shot to fame in 2004 as Coronation Street’s Jamie Baldwin, makes his play-writing debut this month at Hope Mill Theatre with Husk, billed as a dark twisting tale of violence, love, addiction and revenge delivered with a dose of black humour. Carmel Thomason talks to him to find out more.

Can you tell us briefly what Husk is about?

Rupert: “A man is released from prison and goes in search of the man responsible for putting him in there. The story spans over 30 years with varying timelines and hopefully the audience will be second guessing right up to the last scenes as to what has actually happened to these characters”.

Many people will know you for your acting. What led you to want to write and why particularly this play?

Rupert: “I’ve written a few short films and a low budget feature but this is my first play. I really enjoy writing and the benefit of writing a play and casting myself in it is that I can hopefully write something authentic to me! You can come up with a simple idea, put pen to paper and then one day you’re in a room full of the most amazing cast and crew and they’re all there to realise your simple idea. That is humbling and magical to me.”

You’ve talked in the past about your own battle with alcohol addiction. How much of the play is autobiographical?

Rupert: “In a literal sense, not much at all. The play follows a man who has been utterly beaten by life. He’s homeless for a period, he’s had a very troubled past and nothing has worked out for him. I’ve been much more fortunate, thank god! As an allegory for escaping the prison of addiction and finding hope out of hopelessness, I guess it’s a little autobiographical. When I quit alcohol, I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom. In fact I got my daughter to write the word ‘free’ which I then got tattooed on my right wrist -my drinking hand and a reminder in case I ever slip”.

Did you have any concerns about portraying a character you had created?

Rupert: “I had and have many concerns. I watch the other actors in rehearsal and I think to myself. ‘What a rare thing! They’re all amazing! There are no weak links in this cast’ and then the next thought arrives ‘well if there is a weak link, then it must be me!’. But, in general, I have just approached my character the way I would if I hadn’t written it. All the same work applies”.

How much have you been involved in the casting?

Rupert: “I was totally involved with the casting process and it was extremely humbling seeing the extraordinary calibre of the actors auditioning for my play! Our incredible director Joe Houston and our amazing producer Hannah Ellis were very kind to include my opinions and I thank them for that”.

Has anything surprised you as the play has developed from page to stage?

Rupert: “Yes! Actors breathe life into characters that you never imagined. Their decisions and traits blend in with the words and create something so much more well-rounded and alive! The set design by Sorcha, the original score by Alec and the video projections by Grant elevate the world the characters inhabit and make the text richer and the story more magical. It’s a gift to me and I’ll never forget this communal experience.”

As a first time playwright what has been the biggest learning curve for you?

Rupert: “In the Bob Dylan song ‘A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall’ he sings the words ‘I’ll know my song well before I start singing’ – this resonates with me. You need to know your material inside out before you start running with it. I’ve written so many discarded ideas and you just have to wait and let the real stuff arrive in its own time. Don’t force it. And I think it’s important to trust all the other creatives around you and don’t be afraid to make mistakes….. ever.”

The story tackles a lot of hard-hitting issues. How important was it for you to have dark humour in there and how did you balance this with the serious subject matter?

Rupert: “I really try to add comedy to everything I write! People in everyday life are often very funny and our darkest moments are often navigated with copious amounts of gallows humour. The whole point of the play is to find a shred of light in an otherwise bleak darkness and that is also what the humour gives the drama, I hope”.

What are your hopes for the play and how audiences will respond?

Rupert: “I hope they laugh and are moved by the story. I hope they find it exciting and are desperate to find out the truth as it slowly unfolds. I hope they find the multimedia presentation of the piece dynamic and visceral. I hope they bloody love it!”

Are you working on anything else?

Rupert: “In November I will be directing the north west premier of the Mike Bartlett play ‘Cock’ at 53Two in Manchester. It’s a terrific play and I’m very excited to start on it”.

Is there anything else you’d like to say about the show?

Rupert: “Come and see it!”

Husk, written by Rupert Hill premieres at Hope Mill Theatre where it runs from 25-29 September 2024. Age guidance 16+