Company Interviews: Julia Nish-Lapidus, Director
We asked Julia Nish-Lapidus, the director of Cymbeline, a few questions about herself, the production, and romance...
Julia Nish-Lapidus, enjoying a malty beer!
What is your history with Shakespeare BASH'd?
As one of the founders of Shakespeare BASH'd, I've obviously been with the company from the very beginning. It's been so exciting to grow with this little company that has its roots in the first date I went on with my now husband (and Co-Artistic Director, James). Every show with BASH'd is an entirely new experience, and this one is no exception. It's an honour (and a ton of fun) to get to discover and unravel this play with this phenomenal team!
Cymbeline is often classified as a romance. Are you a romantic?
I tend to say that I'm not very romantic. I'm a pretty cynical and sarcastic person, which often doesn't allow for the sincerity that I associate with romance. BUT I'm also the person who watches every Hallmark Christmas movie each year, which you can't do if you're not a romantic. And I think anyone who has spent so much of their life with the words of Shakespeare has to have a romantic side to them. So perhaps it's there, under layers of sarcastic, self-deprecating jokes.
What’s the best line in the play?
"Ods pittikins!"
What is your post-show drink of choice?
The joy of being the director is that I don't have to wait until the show is over to have a drink! I'll be there every night, hiding behind a curtain, listening to the show, and drinking some sort of malty beer.
Tell us about your most ridiculous camping experience.
My family used to camp all the time when I was growing up. The one story that still gets talked about is the time a hurricane (Hurricane Bertha, which happens to be my grandmother's name) was passing through Nova Scotia and we were camping right on the outskirts of its path. It was a huge storm, but somehow, my dad and my brother managed to keep a fire going through the whole thing. I was pretty young and I'm sure I'm missing a million details, but all I know is that they kept the fire going. It's almost like a modern-day Chanukah.
What are you most excited for people to see in this production?
I'm so excited to be doing a Shakespeare play that a lot of people don't know! Running this company, most people already know exactly what's going to happen when they come see one of our shows. It's so rare to get to see an audience discover a twist. This play is full of twists and turns and I can't wait to watch some audience members react with fresh eyes! Plus, the cast is absolutely incredible! Everyone should see them do their thing!
As one of the founders of Shakespeare BASH'd, I've obviously been with the company from the very beginning. It's been so exciting to grow with this little company that has its roots in the first date I went on with my now husband (and Co-Artistic Director, James). Every show with BASH'd is an entirely new experience, and this one is no exception. It's an honour (and a ton of fun) to get to discover and unravel this play with this phenomenal team!
Cymbeline is often classified as a romance. Are you a romantic?
I tend to say that I'm not very romantic. I'm a pretty cynical and sarcastic person, which often doesn't allow for the sincerity that I associate with romance. BUT I'm also the person who watches every Hallmark Christmas movie each year, which you can't do if you're not a romantic. And I think anyone who has spent so much of their life with the words of Shakespeare has to have a romantic side to them. So perhaps it's there, under layers of sarcastic, self-deprecating jokes.
What’s the best line in the play?
"Ods pittikins!"
What is your post-show drink of choice?
The joy of being the director is that I don't have to wait until the show is over to have a drink! I'll be there every night, hiding behind a curtain, listening to the show, and drinking some sort of malty beer.
Tell us about your most ridiculous camping experience.
My family used to camp all the time when I was growing up. The one story that still gets talked about is the time a hurricane (Hurricane Bertha, which happens to be my grandmother's name) was passing through Nova Scotia and we were camping right on the outskirts of its path. It was a huge storm, but somehow, my dad and my brother managed to keep a fire going through the whole thing. I was pretty young and I'm sure I'm missing a million details, but all I know is that they kept the fire going. It's almost like a modern-day Chanukah.
What are you most excited for people to see in this production?
I'm so excited to be doing a Shakespeare play that a lot of people don't know! Running this company, most people already know exactly what's going to happen when they come see one of our shows. It's so rare to get to see an audience discover a twist. This play is full of twists and turns and I can't wait to watch some audience members react with fresh eyes! Plus, the cast is absolutely incredible! Everyone should see them do their thing!