Interview: Vicky Graham on Breeders at the St James Theatre

What initially drew you to the One Stage season?

"The One Stage Season is a pretty irresistible offer for a producer. Not only does Stage One’s investment in each of the shows make a large theatre like the St. James affordable, but inclusion in the season also affords an extraordinary level of industry support, and a high-profile showcase opportunity. One Stage is allowing me to do a rare thing - to premiere a new comedy in a commercial context, and to do so with the cast, creative team and production I believe are best for the show. Breeders remains a risky undertaking, but a production of this scale simply wouldn’t have been possible without that money, mentoring, and massive vote of confidence."

What is it you hope to achieve through producing theatre?

"I directed plays before I produced them, and I think the reason behind the shift into producing is that I’m more interested in deciding which stories, characters and productions are presented to audiences than I am in how they are presented. Theatre is an ancient art form - I have no fear that it will die out - but I do worry that it might go out of fashion. We need to work hard to make theatre a better proposition than a night in with Netflix. I consider it the job of the next generation of producers to make theatre that is engaging, challenging, entertaining and relevant, and choose to do so by producing brand new work by dynamic artists. There’s nothing more thrilling than the dialogue between a great new play and its first audience."

Breeders: Jemima Rooper, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicholas Burns. Photo: Manuel Harlan

"Right now, as we enter production week, I’m focusing on getting the show audience-ready, and find it hard to have a goal beyond getting the first laugh. Medium term, I’d like there to be recognition for the artists, and a financial return for the extraordinary people who have invested in it. Looking forward, I would of course love for Breeders to have a long, long life. I’d like for this to lead to more plays by Ben, and more by VGP."

What are the greatest challenges you have faced in establishing yourself as a producer?

"It seems predictable to say it, but the major challenges have been financial. It’s true what they say of producing: you can’t make a living, but you can make a killing. I have to admit that I’ve made life doubly difficult for myself in choosing to produce independently (rather than at a venue or with a regularly funded organisation), and preferring to produce new work. If it’s hard to raise the money for each show, it’s been nigh-on impossible to generate a consistent income for myself. Each production requires a different development process, a different team of people and a different financial model, so while the variety is enjoyable, it’s also demanding. There are a lot of misunderstandings amongst artists of what a producer is and does, and almost as much mistrust of independent producers amongst venues and organisations. I’m not one to moan, however, and am grateful for opportunities like One Stage to simply go out there, produce a play, and hope that work will create more work."

Why is this project so special to you? 

"This has been an utterly bonkers, but brilliant, process, and very special for that. My job has been made easy by a dream creative team, led by the wonderful Tamara Harvey. Everyone has given so generously of their time and talent, and with most of us working together for the first time, I do feel we’ve fast formed our own alternative family. Breeders is first and foremost a piece of entertainment, but it’s a story that resonates with so many people. I’ve never worked on a show which is such a conversation-starter before. It’s remarkable how many people are grappling with the same issues. I’m proud that it’s a play with three complex female characters, and as the first Vicky Graham Productions commission to make it to the stage, it will always be special to me."

Breeders opens the Stage One Season at the St James Theatre