Actor Lucy Pickles: ‘How people behave in relationships fascinates me’

It is the 1990s, and Julia and Daniel are making their way through the complex process of adopting a child from China.

This is the premise of a new play called Too Many Books that is premiering at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate this week.

The drama, inspired by real events, is written by award-winning journalist Judi Bevan and directed by Christopher Hunter.

The Camden Citizen caught up with actor Lucy Pickles, who plays Julia, to ask her about the production.

CC: What drew you to Julia?

LP: Julia’s journey is filled with obstacles that push her to extreme emotional states, which is a gift for an actor to play. I love that we see her in the privacy of her own home where she can be her unfiltered self.

Couples and how people behave in relationships fascinates me and the adoption process certainly has a profound effect on their marriage.

Exploring her highs and lows, her resilience and vulnerabilities is both a challenge and a privilege and I hope audiences will connect with her journey as much as I have.

CC: How did you go about researching the role?

LP: I know so many people who have struggled with fertility issues and have seen what immense pain and trauma it causes. I myself am a mum and Julia’s desperation and need to have a child made complete sense to me.

I did some research on the Chinese orphanages that are referenced in the play, particularly on the Dying Rooms documentary. I felt that I wanted to know what Julia and Dan knew about the situation and I have to say, much of the information was heartbreaking.

International adoption is such a complicated issue, but the conditions the children faced in those orphanages was very upsetting to read about.

We’ve also read the experiences of international and mixed heritage adoptees and the challenges they faced. It was important to me to hear their voices in this too.

CC: Did you find it challenging interpreting such a complex topic as international adoption?

LP: Yes, absolutely. I think audience members will have different opinions on the issue and I relish the fact that this play poses so many questions about it.

There’s been a lot in the media about IVF in recent times, which is great, but much less on adoption and I think it’s something I knew very little about.

It’s been interesting learning a bit about the process and a friend of mine said a lot of the play resonated with her experiences of looking into adoption a couple of years ago.

CC: Do you think that society in the 1990s had different expectations of families?

LP: I do think expectations were different in the 1990s. Whilst things were on the cusp of change with the Spice Girls bringing ‘Girl Power’, and a new Labour government, et cetera, I remember expectations being more ‘traditional’ than now: 2.4 children, married parents, men expected to be the breadwinners.

It’s interesting that Julia is an older mum and also a woman with such a successful career. I have battled even now as a mum trying to juggle work and motherhood, so that’s something else that interests me about the character. I can’t believe the 90s were 30 years ago!

CC: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers about the production?

LP: The play has really made me think about how much we judge others. It’s certainly a play about complex issues like adoption but at its heart it’s a play about people with hopes and dreams and fears. Human beings with their own past traumas and prejudices.

I hope it’s not too tempting to write anyone off as the villain of the piece, though obviously we can disagree with a character’s behaviour. They are all living their truth and the system is working against all of them really.

When the system overtakes the individual, things get lost and people lose out.

Too Many Books runs until 16 March, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 North Road, N6 4BD.

upstairsatthegatehouse.com