#hff19

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Double Falsehood?

I am Jesse James Thomas and I play the very noble Henriquez!

Please give us a brief summary of play from your characters point of view!

I am a very important prince. I have a friend named Julio who is into Leonora. Since he is not royal, I am sending him to court and I will get her father to like him. I have this crush on this hot girl named Violante. I keep trying  to woo her, but she always sends me away! ME! I know she likes me, so one night I get a little "too intense". What I did was wrong and I feel guilty but it’s ok because she never screamed. However, now Violante is not a virgin, and I need to keep my families honor. Sorry but bye Violante. So I guess I’ll have to marry Leonora. Sorry Julio, its for the best. Her father is down because I am royal, but she is being very difficult and not going for it. How dare she!?! Things will be ok, because her father is making her marry me. On the day of the wedding things get a little crazy and Leonora runs off to a nunnery. Come on! Now I need my brother Rodrigo's help to steal her away. Now she is back with me and I’ll wait till she is over Julio. Why is my father here? Rodrigo is acting weird, why does that boy look so familiar???? 

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I have been a Porters company member for about 6-7 years and done many shows with this great group. Beyond them, I have years of experience with Shakespeare. Shakespeare is the ultimate theatre actors joy!

Our production is a cutting of Lewis Theobald's adaptation of a lost play by Shakespeare and Fletcher. How much of Shakespeare's original work do you think survives? Are there any specific lines, scenes, and/or characters really speak to you in the "Shakespearean" voice?

I feel that this play is very inspired by Shakespeare works, but I don't feel he wrote it particularly. The crossdressing, the nunnery, the star-crossed lovers, and the situations are quite Shakespearean. The language is still beautiful and the situations  are important to talk about, but while influenced by Shakespeare, I feel that it is more Fletcher and Theobald. 

What's your favorite quote (or two) from the play?

If ever woman yet could be an angel, she is the nearest.

This is my wife; no other would I chose, were she a queen.

But pleasure is too strong for reasons curb; and conscience sinks overpowered with Beauty's sweets.

Finally, where can be learn more about you and what you're up to?

Until my website is up and running, you can find me on instagram under: Loone2n, Facebook as Jesse James Thomas and as a Porters resident, check out their website as well: Portersofhellsgate.com