As The Winter’s Tale continues its run at Tobacco Factory Theatres, we’re heading backstage once again for our Tales from the Dressing Room series. This time, we caught up with Corrina Buchan to hear about her experience bringing Shakespeare’s words to life, her approach to performing in the round, and why playing two completely contrasting characters is a dream come true.
Tell us about the characters you’re playing in The Winter’s Tale.
I play the Clown and Dion. The Clown and her mother, the Shepherdess, are our first introduction to Bohemia just before the interval. It’s a fabulous, drastic gear shift from the pomp and rigidity of Sicilia to a world that is wild, joyful, and alive with folk magic and community. The Clown and Shepherdess embody this spirit. My favourite thing about the Clown is that she lives entirely in the moment, guided by impulse. She doesn’t care for status, power, or money—only for creating experiences with the people she loves.
Dion, on the other hand, is a nobleman in service to King Leontes. Unlike the other courtiers, Dion is completely subservient to the King, unwilling to challenge him or risk their own position, even when it’s the right thing to do. If something might displease the King, Dion firmly believes it’s above their pay grade!
How WERE rehearsals? what were the challenges and breakthroughs?
The rehearsal process was pure joy. Heidi and Laila are incredibly collaborative directors, which is such a treat for a performer from a devising background. I would describe the room as ‘playful chaos’—a space full of laughter, deep dives into the play’s themes, and a genuine relish for Shakespeare’s text.
How has your career prepared you for these roles?
This is my first professional Shakespeare role, and I’m ecstatic! I’ve wanted to work on classical text professionally since the beginning of my career. When I was studying acting, I was chosen to perform at the Sam Wanamaker Festival at the Globe, where two students from each major drama school perform scenes from Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Standing on that stage, I caught the bug! I’m so pleased to be performing in The Winter’s Tale and hope it’s the start of many more Shakespeare roles.
Most of my career has involved multi-rolling, with different accents and physicalities, so getting to switch between Dion and the Clown—two characters from completely different worlds—makes me giddy with excitement.
What excites you most about performing Shakespeare, and how do you make the text accessible?
Like many actors—especially working-class actors—I was intimidated by Shakespeare for a long time. At school, I loved reading it aloud but didn’t fully understand it. Later, I saw a production of The Two Noble Kinsmen where the entire cast spoke in RP accents, and I still had no clue what they were saying! It felt like another language, and I assumed Shakespeare was just for ‘posh, clever people.’
That changed when I saw a production at the Globe years later. Suddenly, it all made sense. I realised that Shakespeare should be accessible. That experience shaped my entire approach to the text. I always start with clarity—ensuring I fully understand the thoughts behind the words. Then, I give special attention to the rich, sometimes archaic imagery. If a phrase like ‘betwixt the firmament and it you cannot thrust a bodkin’s point’ doesn’t make sense at first, I research its historical meaning and find my own way to connect with it. Once I have that foundation, I let the text lead me into its rhythm and playfulness.
How does performing in the round at Tobacco Factory Theatres influence your performance?
I absolutely love audience interaction and the contract that’s created between actor and audience. Playing Clown means I get to build an ongoing relationship with the audience, responding to what they enjoy—and sometimes, even more fun, what they don’t! Clown doesn’t recognise the fourth wall, which makes for great moments when playing opposite characters who do.
I’ve never performed in a full 360-degree in-the-round venue before, and it’s an absolute treat to be surrounded by the audience. The Factory Theatre has an incredibly charged atmosphere—its intimacy feels like a powder keg for storytelling. I can’t wait to strike that match each time I step into that space!
🎟️ Book your tickets here.
Posted on 14 March 2025
