Douglas Rintoul
Douglas Rintoul was appointed last year as Chief Executive and Artistic Director at The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. His production of DNA by Dennis Kelly runs from 02-09 February. Susan Elkin spoke to him.
When did you get interested in theatre directing?
As a kid I was always making plays for myself or others, including a play for assembly at my primary school which I wrote and directed. I didn’t know what a director was, but I knew I wanted to make something and that I needed to be on the outside to do that. I love that young people are natural players and are makers of plays before they ever know what theatre is. It’s strange that it can become alien to people.
How did that lead to doing it professionally?
My first experience of going to the theatre was at 17 years old but I had always been engaged in drama. I loved drama lessons and I had very supportive teachers who recognised my passion and a talent. Without ever thinking about it I took GCSE drama, followed by an A-Level in drama and I studied Drama & Theatre Arts at University. It was a natural progression. I had the luxury of a full maintenance grant, and my fees were paid. I’m not sure I’d be able to go to university if I was a teenager now, my parents wouldn’t have been able to afford it. At University I began to direct and when I graduated I contacted a lot of theatre companies offering myself as an assistant director. I got a few jobs and earnt money as an usher at the Royal Court. I also continued to make my own work on the London and Edinburgh fringe theatre scene.
And now you run the New Wolsey. What are the best aspects of that?
The New Wolsey is at the centre of its town. It plays a vital role in the cultural and creative life of in Ipswich and beyond. It is a community hub used by all. It also has a great reputation nationally, particularly for its work on new musicals, for being welcoming and inclusive.
Why have you chosen to stage DNA just now?
DNA is such a brilliant play for all audiences but particularly for young audiences. I wanted to make something that represented and spoke to young people, something that could be performed by young actors and give them the opportunity to have their professional debuts at the theatre. I wanted to put that on the main stage and not in a studio, to make a statement about what the New Wolsey can be and who it is for.
As for the play itself, DNA is more relevant than ever. It looks at leadership, who we are willing to follow and what we are willing to believe and do for them and why. That’s more relevant than ever before considering the last 12 months.
Do you enjoy the rehearsal process?
Yes! I love enabling a company to do its best. I love bringing a play to life with all its detail and complexity. I love the sense of community that evolves in a room.
Describe a typical day in the life of Douglas Rintoul
A typical day is very busy and unpredictable because I’m also the Chief Executive of the Theatre as well as an artist. No day is the same, and that’s why my job is fulfilling. A day will have both challenging situations and great wins. I try to ensure that by the end of the day I have had an impact on someone’s life positively in some way. Then my job has been done.
How does New Wolsey engage with young people in its community?
We have a brilliant Youth Theatre that is representative of the town and its communities. That’s a huge success as
Ipswich is a very diverse town. It brings lots of different young people together to share perspectives and make work together. We deliver a lot of workshops in all schools, and we aim to programme work that supports teaching and young peoples’ learning. We have ambitions for a big project led and made by young people.
Can you tell us a bit about your future plans?
I’m still very new to the New Wolsey. My ambitions for the theatre are for it to be even more representative of Ipswich and the region, to support more local theatre makers, tell great stories that nourish peoples’ lives and for more audiences nationally and internationally to know us and our work.
Do you have a message for teachers?
All I want teachers to know is that the industry recognises, more than ever, the vital role they play in securing the future of theatre. Without their tenacity to keep creative studies alive in the classroom and without their support of the talent they recognise in their students, we will become a very narrow industry serving a minority.
DNA runs from the 2-9 February 2023