Harriet Chomley and Sophie Robertson join us on Close-Up Culture to chat about their show, Posh Girls, which opens at Kings Head Theatre on January 28th.
Hi Harriet and Sophie, it’s lovely to be chatting with you! First things first, in your own words, what is Posh Girls about?
HC: At its core Posh Girls is about the complexities and importance of female friendships. It is about two young women that are navigating life in their 30’s whose choices are heavily impacted in different ways by their experiences at school. They meet unexpectedly in a therapist waiting room and are forced to confront an ugly truth that has been buried for twelve years.
How did you come up with the title?
SR: We were playing with ideas, and Posh Girls was suggested; We both thought it was provocative and funny and elicited an immediate reaction – whether that be good or bad it didn’t matter. We know people will come in with a preconceived idea of who these characters are and what it’s about but hopefully they will be pleasantly surprised.
What was the writing process for this like? How did you go about the co-writing process with each other?
CH: The writing process has been epic. We chatted about creating a show together for a while and had a lot of phone calls spinning ideas around. We discussed our friendships from school and related to the breakdown of a female friendship which can be so utterly devastating, sometimes more so than romantic relationships especially in those teenage years when you are still figuring out who you are. We started a google doc and wrote scenes, we’d zoom and meet up and read it out, edit and improv around it until a shape started to form. Once we’d written the whole play, we then got it up on its feet and edited every rehearsal and still are making edits as we go! We also hosted a work-in-progress show at the Etcetera theatre which forced us to finish the play within a set time frame (the morning of!) and allowed for feedback that really helped the show early on.
What is the most interesting thing you learnt in the process of writing this show?
HC: I think that so many people have gone through similar experiences and that the breakdown in a friendship can be as devastating if not more than the breakdown of a romantic partnership. I rely so much on my friends for that deep level of communication and understanding and I think it can be so painful when that goes away. I have also learnt that all ideas are worth exploring when writing. Thankfully I feel really safe with Soph and we have created a space where we can play and explore without fear and that’s been amazing because we’ve discovered so much about these characters.
SR: I have loved working with Haz on the show and it really shows how important female friendships are. We have such a brilliant working relationship and a friendship too which has allowed us to challenge ourselves and go to places of discomfort and even pain because we have the unconditional support of one another. I suppose what I have found interesting but not surprising is just how many women and also men have told me they can relate to the topics discussed in the play.
Away from the world of stage, you are both experienced behind the screen too. What are the biggest differences you find switching between the two?
HC: For me being on stage is so electric, it changes every night and can change depending on the audience too, so it feels both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. You can’t stop and edit or watch your performance back, so it requires all of you to be present and grounded throughout the duration of the show. Also, the rehearsal process for the stage is great – you really get to sink your teeth into the characters and the world and also the energy required to maintain an hour and a half show is a lot!!
SR: A wonderful director I know who has also become a great friend of mine would say to me in between takes- “just do nothing” which may sound easy but it’s not! She means it in the best way possible and it has become a bit of a running joke because I do have quite an expressive face and the camera picks up everything. The stage allows you to be bigger and take up space that the camera doesn’t have room for. You also have the thrill of doing it again and again and each night is different, there is such a freedom to that.
What is the biggest misconception of private schools that you wish more people knew?
HC: It is easy to dismiss people who have attended private schools because of the privilege that they have and life is definitely easier for kids when they aren’t worrying about their basic level of needs, however a lot of the things that happen during adolescence don’t discriminate. Bullying and sexual assault can happen to anyone and school can be an incredibly isolating environment at times, so just because someone has had certain advantages in life doesn’t mean they’re not human and their pain/experience isn’t valid.
Apologies, but I have to ask giving the theme of private schools. St Trinians or Wild Child?
HC: Wildchild
SR:– St Trinians!
Thank you so much for your time, where can people catch Posh Girls?
Posh Girls opens on January 28th at 9pm at Kings Head Theatre and runs until the 2nd of February 2025.
And where can they follow you for more of your upcoming work?
On Instagram via @hcchomley and @sophiecrobertson
For more info – Posh Girls | What’s On | King’s Head Theatre
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