Politics and Performance – Rio Matchett talks ‘The State We’re In’ Festival

With a fresh wave of political rule in the UK, there’s no better time for bold, thought-provoking theatre, and the new Artistic Director of Camden People’s Theatre Rio Matchett is here to deliver just that. CPT’s The State We’re In festival explores democracy, politics and the public realm and runs until the 10th November. Rio talks about her hopes for the festival, her ‘empathy gym’ philosophy on theatre and her excitement to support the next generation of daring theatre-makers.

Given the current political climate, especially after 14 years of Conservative rule, how do you feel the arts, particularly theatre, can engage with and influence public opinion?

For me the best art is that which asks a question we don't know the answer to and calls us to be braver in imagining new possibilities. The mechanics at the centre of drama are always the inter-personal, and theatre is amazing at keeping our focus on the humans who should be at the centre of politics.

Who is the target/dream audience for the shows housed under The State We’re In festival?

It's one of those classic "comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable" programmes. As ever, the shows at CPT have a strong social conscience, but there's a good representation of non-partisan work, so I think wherever people sit on the political spectrum, they'll feel challenged but not alienated. There's also a really brilliant variety in terms of tone - it's a total misconception that political work has to be sombre I think; we have some very serious plays, but also joy, comedy and interdisciplinary work.

The festival covers such a wide range of topics, from the economy to maternal health, from climate change to political representation. What do you think is the unifying thread that ties all these pieces together?

It all comes back to the same thing - we live in a capitalist world, structured by systems which value profit over people. One of the best things I think theatre can do is refocus us on the humans living within those systems. That old quote, 'a single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic' - theatre takes huge issues and reformats them in a way we can engage with.

The State We’re In is happening at a time of huge political change in the UK. Do you hope the festival will inspire people to reflect on their own role in shaping the future of the UK?

I hope it inspires people to keep hoping - imagination is a muscle, and in order to create a better future, we have to first be able to imagine it. I think going to the theatre is sometimes like going to the gym for your empathy, for your resilience.

Camden People’s Theatre has a stellar reputation for fostering the artists of tomorrow. What do you hope to offer the next generation of theatre makers under your directorship?

I'm excited to build on CPT's history of high-level support with high levels of challenge - you can expect to see rigour, a renewed commitment to accessibility, support for artists to diversify their income, and some of the most exciting voices in UK theatre and beyond. Our Starting Blocks programme - a ten week residency and peer support group - is coming up, the application window has just closed and I can't wait to read the submissions, to hear what's making emerging theatre makers tick right now, hear what their challenges are, and to be in a position to support some of those artists in their journey!