Q&A with actor Georgia Nicholson on bringing The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary to Southwark Playhouse Borough

We’re thrilled to chat with Georgia Nicholson, the actress bringing Emma Bovary to life in the playful and fast-paced adaptation, The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary. With a production full of comedic chaos, slapstick choreography, and over thirty characters played by just four actors, Georgia faces the exciting challenge of portraying a classic literary heroine in a way that is both true to the original and hilariously fresh. We’ll hear from Georgia about her approach to the role, the unique demands of this high-energy performance, and what it’s like to be part of a show that turns a story of longing and tragedy into a riotous stage experience.

Georgia Nicholson

Can you tell us a bit about the show?

The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary is a fast-paced jaunt through a French tragedy… as bizarre as that sounds! Audiences may be familiar with Flaubert’s celebrated (and, for a time, banned-for-obscenity) novel Madame Bovary, and this is the same story with a comic twist. The writer, John Nicholson, has carefully woven the truth of the original story in amongst a fair amount of silliness, and it’s that contrast that I love most about this show. In short, it’s laughter and tears with a dollop of filth thrown in.

You’re playing Emma Bovary, who seems quite complex; how do you prepare for such a role?

Emma is a gift of a part—a puzzle, really—and one I feel lucky to play. She makes very questionable choices, but she’s also a victim. She uses men and is used in return. She’s a lot! Amidst the farce, which is of course excellent fun to be a part of, Kirstie, our director, and I felt it was really important to tell her story truthfully and honour the original novel. I spent a long time with the original text and learning about the time period. In my mind, she’s like a caged bird. Society expects one thing of her, but she desires much more. I just concentrate on telling her story while the chaos unfolds. She’s neither good nor bad and very flawed—she’s human.

With only four actors playing over thirty characters, plus all the props and choreography, what’s been the biggest challenge in keeping Emma’s story clear?

The boys have a much harder job, with all their many characters, but for me it was differentiating between the Emma who is living her life in the present and the Emma recounting what has happened to her. There are many Emmas in the show, each with a different age, experience, and wisdom. There’s also the challenge of ensuring the audience understands each of her relationships with the men in the story, especially when each actor plays so many different characters. I’m really lucky to work with three incredible men who are so detailed that it makes it easy to keep track of where we are in the whirlwind of her life. Props…now that’s another story! I have many checks before the show starts

Do you have a favourite line from the show?

I have so many, and I love listening to the guys in the show being very funny. I think my favourite line of Emma’s is when she gives birth and finds out it’s a daughter: “Poor creature! What hope is there for a girl born into this world!” I think it sums up the play and Emma’s plight pretty well.

Why should audiences come and see The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary this Christmas?

I think this show has something for everyone. Whether you’ve read it before and loved it, hated it, or even if you’ve never heard of Madame Bovary, I think it’s a fun rollercoaster to go on. Plus, it’s a little different from the usual Christmas offerings.

Can you sum up the show in three words?

It has to be our cast slogan, coined by Ben…“Sexy. French. Magic!”

For those interested in catching The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary, it will be playing at Southwark Playhouse this festive season from 5 December - 11 January. For more information and how to book tickets, head to: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-massive-tragedy-of-madame-bovary