Brassic actor returns to the Lowry to take on ‘powerful show exploring trauma, alcoholism and freedom’

Jessica Kaur has appeared on stage at the Lowry, Contact and the Octagon, as well as starring in the hit comedy Brassic.

She is about to return to the highly acclaimed Run Rebel at the Lowry.

We caught up with her to find out more.

What made you want to act? Did something or a person inspire you?

I’ve always had a desire to act, but I come from a family and environment where acting wasn’t really heard of as something you could turn into a career. My reasons for wanting to act come from a long list of people who believed in me first, before I even believed in myself.

My secondary school teacher was the first to encourage me. She was the reason I was given the permission to dream in the first place. The next people to believe in me were my brother and sister-in-law, who never gave up on telling me I could chase after my dreams.

They’re a huge inspiration in my life. And then my agents, who took me under their wing at 19 with no drama school training or experience under my belt, but sheer curiosity for where acting could take me.

My agents, my secondary school drama teacher, and the people around me, who never failed to see something in me, are the reasons I am where I am today. I’m inspired every single day by those around me and I’ve always wanted to give back in a similar way.

I think storytelling gives me the opportunity to inspire others in the way I’ve been inspired.

What attracted you to Run, Rebel for the second time?

This is a story that held a special place in my heart from the very beginning. It was made even more special when I had the absolute privilege to work with everyone who has helped bring the story to life.

The brilliant cast and crew are what made the play what it is; we all connected so effortlessly from the start that it just felt like it would be a missed opportunity if I said no to working with them again!

I have learned so much from them and feel so lucky that I get to continue that the second time around. They are all truly an amazing bunch of people.

What do you like about your character Amber?

Amber is a moody, passionate, sarcastic, and angry teenager. I love getting to display every emotion that she goes through in this story. She’s not perfect and she doesn’t always get things right.

And that’s what I love about her. I love uncovering how she finally realises and understands that she has the freedom to dream so much bigger than what she initially thought.

She always reminds me of how far I’ve come in my own life. She’s a fighter, she’s imperfect and an ever-growing character, and that inspires me so much.

The theatre company Pilot makes great plays for young people who never talk down to them. Is that refreshing for you, as an actor?

Absolutely! I would say that Pilot adapts plays of heavy themes in a way that all ages can take from it! They don’t sanitise difficult conversations, but at the same time, support a language that can be understood by everyone, regardless of age.

You have also starred in the madcap comedy Brassic. Is that show as fun as it looks on screen?

Brassic was one of my first-ever acting jobs, and I was treated with the utmost kindness from both the actors and the crew throughout. The atmosphere was constantly warm and comedic so in some way, you could say that the environment is just as fun off screen as it looks on screen.

I’d love to work on a project like it again. I feel such a sense of belonging on the stage having had the privilege of being involved in so many great shows like Run Rebel, An Adventure, A Very Odd Birthday Party and Vignettes.

But I do enjoy being on a TV/Film set and the environment that differs from stage as well. It would be great to do more work like that in the future!

What’s the funniest thing that has happened in rehearsals?

The cast and crew of Run Rebel have so much fun every single day, making it impossible to pick out just one “funniest moment”.

There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes—both on and off stage—that the audience never gets to see. And don’t even get us started on our pre-show ball games; those get seriously competitive!

What do you love about Manchester?

There’s so much I love about Manchester; I think of it as Home now. It was the first location I was presented with when I moved out of my family home at 18.

It’s where I’ve made some of the wildest and most cherished memories of my 20s so far.

I love how vibrant, fun, and lovely the people and the places are in Manchester. You can never run out of things to do.

One of my favourite things about Manchester though, is the city lights at night, when the world is just about ready to fall asleep, but not quite yet, and you look out to see all the lights shining from inside some of the skyscraper windows; streaks of light coming from all directions and sounds of a bustling street full of people is being echoed in the distance.

It’s in those moments that I feel so much more grateful that I get to be another passerby like everyone else in the city. It makes me feel so much more connected to the human experience. Manchester encourages my sense of connection.

Lastly, why would you tell people to come along to Run, Rebel at the Lowry?

The story itself is incredible in my opinion! It highlights so much hope, freedom, curiosity, and strength. It’s a play that I wish I got to see myself, growing up.

It’s inspiring for all ages. It doesn’t shy away from addressing themes of trauma, alcoholism, violence, and the navigation of it all from an individual perspective. You come away from the show feeling like possibilities in your own life are limitless, because they really are; this play is just a great reminder of that!

Not only this, but Lowry itself is in such a beautiful location. It’s in the heart of MediaCity, and boasts such delightful-looking theatre spaces inside the building! That alone will allow people the freedom to have a great experience at the theatre.

 Tickets for Run Rebel at the Lowry

Run Rebel is at the Lowry from 29th October until 2nd November and you can book tickets here