Meet the young rising star of gripping LGBT play ‘Vincent River’

This week Philip Ridley’s powerful play Vincent River opens at London’s Park Theatre.

First staged in 2000, Phillip Ridley’s gay drama has two characters: Anita, the mother of Vincent, a teenage boy who has been killed in Bethnal Green in a homophobic attack, and Davey, a boy who has been stalking Anita for a few days and when confronted claims to have been the first to find Vincent’s body.

We chatted to one of the play’s stars, Thomas Mahy, who makes his London debut in Vincent River. The play’s director Robert Chevara met Thomas in Berlin and he’s tipped him to be the next big thing saying: “He’s been a burning torch… a live wire of pure electricity. Passionate. Vulnerable. Dangerous. He’s the new Tom Hardy!”

How’s it going Thomas? Vincent River opens this week… are you pumped?

Pumped…yes! looking forward to it! Lots of creatives have come together and worked really hard on this piece. It’s a beautiful script by Philip Ridley and i’m aware of how lucky I am to tell this story.

What’s your take on Davey, the main character like?

Davey is like anyone who has been ignored, neglected, bullied or ostracised and abused. He is made to feel ashamed of who he is and he trusts no one. Davey can only rely on himself and he takes incredibly dangerous risks to help deal with the pain of his life’s experience so far. He needs love desperately.

Talk us through the aesthetic…

Davey’s look is written into the script – he’s described as having come from a funeral and has a black eye. We’ve dressed him all in black and this is also his attempt to blend into the crowd. He’s been hiding things his whole life and has recently become a stalker – so I think black is his armour and camouflage. His clothes are well worn, his hair is dirty and unclean, and his shoes are scuffed.

Philip Ridley is a really exciting playwright, have you met him yet – is he involved much in the production?

I first met Phillip after the recent premiere of his play Angry at Southwark Playhouse, which was fantastic. He then came to our first read through of Vincent River and provided invaluable insight as to why he wrote the play and what he thinks motivates Davey and Anita to do what they do.

The director Robert Chevara is also a living legend in theatre – what’s it like working with him on Vincent River?

Working with Robert on this production has been wonderful. This is my first professional job in London so I have benefited from his experience and knowledge about life and theatre. Robert expects passion, openness and dedication and he gives the same, his work is very detailed and considered. He tells cracking anecdotes as well. 

Finally – to name check all the stars – former Eastenders star Lou Jameson is in this production, starring alongside you. Is she like a Mum to you on set? Or a bit of a diva? 

She’s neither my mum or a diva, but she’s a f**king great actress and she very kindly gave me a pair of her son’s shoes because mine had holes in. I think the world of Lou now and I am so lucky to be working with her on this production.

The play Vincent River is very dark, but there are some funny moments right?

Yes, there are some jokes in the script but if you’re looking for laughs ask Phillip Ridley to read you his poem that he wrote about a ladybird on his cock.

It’s an interesting time to stage a play like Vincent River, with homophobic attacks on the rise in the wake of Trump and Brexit. Has this production been inspired by present-day events?

It’s a fucking sorry state of affairs when this play’s horrific context is still as relevant today as it was twenty years ago when Philip Ridley wrote it. There is no excuse for homophobia in any form or any discrimination for that matter. 

Is London the city for you? Where in the world would you like to live?

I could live anywhere so long as there was a theatre down the road that wanted to give me a job

What’s your London secret?

Walk everywhere. It’s good for your head.

Vincent River runs at London’s Park Theatre from 23 March to 14 April, with previews from 20 March.

As well as appearing in ‘Vincent River’, Thomas will be giving a special post-show Q&A on 30 March, and writer Matthew Todd will be hosting a post-show discussion on 5 April 5. Follow Thomas on Twitter @Thomas_Mahy.

Words and interview by @JackCullenUK