Anna Nugent

My husband and I recently spent some time in England, ending our visit with three days in London, binging on theatre. Such a pleasure! The city has changed a lot since I was last there 12 or 13 years ago, especially the skyline on the Thames, but of course there are some things that never change. I was reminded of how and why I fell in love with acting in the first place. My perspective, of course, is skewed, but I love the common and truly accessible feel of theatre there. You feel like anyone could walk off the street to partake. The actors seem relatively down to earth, just doing their jobs. And on top of that the work is actually challenging and intellectually stimulating, it just makes you think – I love that! I know my experience is colored by the fact that we choose to see new work (this trip we visited the Donmar, Bush and National theatres), but in my heart I have always believed that the Brits just know how to do theatre the way I like it to be. A discussion starter and a prism that refracts your life in fresh light. It is no wonder I crossed the pond to do my actors training (I ended up at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland), to be closer to the theatre of my heart. Someday I hope to grace one of those London stages, but until then my heart commends the British stage!

The Nugents in front of the National Theatre Sign
This photo of my husband, Paul Nugent, and I outside the National Theatre was taken by the lovely Calvin Demba who we had just seen, minutes before, onstage in the RED LION by Patrick Marber. We were taking our requisite theatre selfies when a young man said “would you like me to take that for you?” and as I handed my phone to him I realized it was the lad we just saw on stage. We had a lovely chat – what a gent!