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Wrath justice

We catch up with Belfast actor Damian O'Hare, currently touring the UK in The Grapes of Wrath… - 23/09/09

When English Touring Theatre's production of The Grapes of Wrath opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in July, the complex logistics involved – a sizeable cast, an epic narrative and truckloads of scenes – meant that the technical rehearsal was a tough and time-consuming experience. But after his adventures in Tanzania, actor Damian O'Hare, who plays former prisoner Tom Joad in the story of a family of sharecroppers during America’s Gret Depression, was ready for anything...

WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN TANZANIA THEN?

I'd been in Africa for three months, making Taking The Flak for the BBC. Mount Kilimanjaro was often in the background when we were shooting scenes, and so a few of the cast and crew decided to climb the mountain. I thought that it would be a good idea for me to join them, but I hadn't quite realised all that it would entail. It was a wonderful experience, though. We filmed in the bush, and by and large the wildlife left us in peace, apart from a stray baboon that chose to walk across the set one day!

WHEN DID YOU FIRST READ THE ‘GRAPES OF WRATH’?

I studied The Grapes of Wrath for my A- Levels and, though I steered clear of watching Henry Fonda as Tom in the 1940 film version, I was aware of the Steppenwolf company's production, which also used the Frank Galati adaptation. I was interested in seeing how Jonathan {Church}, the director of this production, would put his ideas about staging into practice. I'd assumed that references to the truck that transports the Joads on their journey to California was largely symbolic. I didn't realise that I'd have to do some driving!

WAS THE DRIVING FUN?!

Theatrically, the truck works fantastically. Technically, there have been a few problems – the other night, I managed to drive it into the set. And of course, I have to take a dip in the river and the water is a bit tepid by the time I plunge in. The scene works as a nice bit of light relief from all the prevailing gloom. I then have a fantastically quick change to do in the wings. There's no time for any modesty on my part; I have a female dresser to help me, and so she's been seeing bits of me that aren't usually on public display.

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The Grapes Of Wrath’ runs at New Wimbledon Theatre, London from 1-3 Oct (0844 871 7646), and at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 6-10 Oct (01752 267 222), touring the UK until 21 Nov. For more details, visit www.ett.org.uk.