The South London Press catches up with Pandora Colin in her new play No Particular Order

This month Pandora Colin will be performing in No Particular Order, a play by Singaporean playwright Joel Tan at Battersea’s Theatre503. The South London Press catches up with the actress and South London local as she prepares for her role.

Can you start by telling us a bit about the play and the themes it explores?
The play is called No Particular Order. The tag line is – a despot has come to power and we investigate how that impacts those in the country where he operates in the immediate moment of his ascendance, then in the near future, and finally hundreds of years from the event.

What attracted you to the role? What made you want to perform in this piece?
There are only four actors playing all the roles, so that’s always a fun challenge. I really enjoy working as an ensemble, and the nature of this piece demands that of the cast.

I have done two plays before at Theatre503, and it’s just a great place to work.

Lisa Spirling and Andrew Shepherd, who run the theatre, are outstanding at supporting and developing new work, and there’s always a great atmosphere for both visiting artists and audience members alike.

What parallels do you think audiences might draw from this play?
Regarding the subject matter, it’s not much of a stretch for the audience to draw contemporary parallels with what’s going on in the world right now, but this play was obviously written some time ago, and sadly highlights how history repeats itself.

“Crucially, however, the play also focuses on how there is hope to be found in the surprising moments of empathy and kindness that humans often generate.

You have been in quite a few well-known plays and screen productions, including Penny Dreadful and Chernobyl. Is there any part or type of character you’d like to play but haven’t yet had the chance to tackle?

I’d love to do more comedy – it’s the biggest rush when it goes well. And it would be great if there were more variation for women in my casting bracket.

“Mostly it’s mums and wives, maybe the odd doctor or lawyer, if we’re lucky, but predominantly mum’s and wives – while fellas tend to be represented in a much broader spectrum of characters.

How did you get your first break and what would be your advice to up and coming actors starting out in the industry?
I got into acting in a very boring, straightforward way – enjoyed it at school; went to drama school where I got an agent in my final year; became an actor.

“I think young actors have loads more to teach me than I have to teach them.

They are way more disciplined than we were when we graduated, and I really admire that. My advice, for what it’s worth, is not to be afraid of finding a way to clearly say when something feels inappropriate, be it bullying, unwanted attention, racism, sexism.”

What are your favourite South London haunts?
I live in Lambeth, so am lucky to have The National Theatre, Old Vic, New Vic and Bridge Theatres all within 15 minute cycle ride of my home.

“The Cinema Museum in Elephant and Castle is a real gem – they have really unusual screenings and an incredible archive for movie lovers.

“My favourite local restaurants are Gandhi’s in Kennington for a curry (been coming here since the early 1990s when my friend lived above it), Mari Terra in Waterloo for tapas, and Sally White in Kennington for coffee and amazing cakes and pastries.

No Particular Order is a Theatre 503 from May 31 to June 18. It is also part of the Wandsworth Arts 2022 Fringe programme.

To book, go to https://theatre503.com/whats-on/npo/