Interview: Theatre director Scott Le Crass - "Comedy is about truth"
15/03/2025
Theatre director Scott Le Crass tells me about directing James McDermott’s play Jab a second time, whether comedy is harder than drama and what his dream play to direct would be.
Jab, which is set during the pandemic, originally opened at the Finborough Theatre last year, and now it's coming to the Park Theatre. What's it like directing it a second time, and are you making any changes?
Scott Le Crass: I really like to revisit plays that I've previously directed because having that time in between gives you a little bit of distance. I think that’s quite interesting because firstly, your life experiences sometimes shape how you work.
I'm different from the person I was a year ago in the way that I might see things.
And also, I think what's really interesting is there are lots of things online at the moment talking about it being five years since the pandemic, so there's an extra year distance that people have got.
The way I think we see it is slightly altered, so it's nice to be able to approach it again.
But not a lot has changed; there are a few sequences in terms of movement, but the text and the story are pretty much the same. Some of the design is different as well.
Jab is a dark, domestic comedy. Is it harder directing comedy than a straight drama?
I think comedy can span so many different things. Comedy is quite broad, and I think that as long as you're true with that, that’s something that will see you through in a really positive way.
Comedy is about truth, so in answer to that question, I think it can be harder because sometimes we feel like there's a tendency to lean into the laughs or play to the audience. And I think black comedy, in particular, is quite specific in its tone and its approach. So, I think it can be harder, yes.
You started out training to be an actor and acting before moving into directing. How do the two compare, and which is the most nerve-wracking on opening night?
I think both are quite challenging roles, because they have different things that they require.
Being an actor is quite often about building a character that feels well-rounded and believable.
And building relationships with the other characters or cast members and telling the story clearly.
Being a director has a different responsibility in terms of things being cohesive but also clear.
In terms of being nerve-wracking, I think both are on opening night.
Being an actor, there is a responsibility to either drive the piece in a specific way or anchor a certain moment in a specific way. And you're exposed being on stage, whether it be by yourself or with other cast members.
As a director, you are just having to watch it. It's not like a rehearsal where you can jump in and pause and say, ‘Okay, could we go back and do that once again?’.
You're not able to do anything, but I also care for the actors I work with, so it's about protection. I’m hoping that they're okay and that everything goes as planned.
I get less nervous now, but I still feel nervous when seeing something on opening night.
If you could direct a play by any writer in any theatre, which writer would it be, which theatre, and who would be your lead actor or actors?
I have always wanted to direct on the main stage of Birmingham Rep. I'm from Birmingham, so I love the theatre.
I've been lucky enough to work there, but never direct anything on the main stage. It's a beautiful space.
I think a play I would love to direct would be Posh by Laura Wade, which I think is a stunning piece of theatre. I remember seeing it at the Royal Court and was completely mesmerised.
Or something long and sprawling like a Tennessee Williams play because I'm a big fan of Tennessee Williams's writing and the expansiveness of those stories.
For the actor, I'd have to think a bit more about that because I guess it would be about digging a bit deeper because when you bring a cast together, you also have to think about the combinations of people.
It's not necessarily just about one person - that sounds like I'm copping out on the answer.
What is the best theatre that you have seen recently?
I went to see Glorious at the Hope Mill in Manchester, and it was a really heartwarming story. It had heart, but it was also very funny.
It was just a really interesting reminder about when people follow things that they're passionate about. It was fun; it was a good night out.
Jab opens at the Park Theatre on 1 April and runs until 26 April. Look out for my review.
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