Director Quentin Beroud on Shaping the Satire of The Statesman
The Statesman is an absurdist comedy directed by Quentin Beroud (Fabulous Creatures, Richard II), premiering this September at Theatro Technis in London.
Quentin Beroud brings this sharp, dry-humoured play about a humourless village forced to become funny to life, blending satire with emotional depth. Below, Quentin discusses the challenges of directing such an ensemble piece, the layers of humour in the play, and his hopes for audience conversations.
Do you think humour can really be taught, as the characters in the play try to do?
QB: I think there’s definitely something innate that makes some people funnier than others, but the beauty is that humour comes in so many flavours.
That’s one of the things I love about The Statesman—it presents the full range of funny. Also, a lot of people are told they’re not funny, or not allowed to be funny, which is very sad. And other people are told they’re funny when they’re really not. Which is also sad. Certainly for the people that get stuck talking to them at parties.
There’s a satirical edge to The Statesman. Are there any real-world parallels you hope people notice?
QB: The Statesman is the story of some fanatically unfunny people trying to impose their worldview on the rest of their community. I don’t know what real-world parallels you’re talking about. Satire is one of many types of humour presented in the play.
What conversations do you hope people have in the pub after seeing The Statesman?
QB: I hope they’re really trying to rack their brains for where they know that comedy reference from. Any emotional response is good, right? Even minor irritation.
Quentin, do you encourage improvisation or stick closely to the script?
QB: I like actors to feel free in the world of the story. That can only happen when you have a really good grounding in the world of the piece, which then gives you the chance to play around on that solid foundation. I’m very excited for the ensemble elements of The Statesman, in particular—creating a whole village with 6 people.
What drew you to the project in the first place?
QB: I’ve been attached to this project for a few years now. Sometimes when that happens you worry that you might have missed your moment to do it, but The Statesman remains as fresh as ever. More so, if anything. I think that’s the sign of a really good story; one that feels totally right for the present moment, and goes on feeling like that even when “the present moment” changes.
The Statesman
Venue: Theatro Technis, 26 Crowndale Rd, London NW1 1TT
Performance time: 7.30pm (matinees on Saturdays at 2.30pm)
Dates: 10–13, 15–20, 22–27 September 2025
Ticket link: https://www.theatrotechnis.com/whatson/the-statesman
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
