Interview: Kit Young

>SUBSCRIBE FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO EVERY WEEKEND<

There’s an enduring appeal to the stories of Jane Austen. Equal measures piercing, funny and romantic, her work has inspired the imaginations of many writers over the centuries, undergoing numerous reiterations – the newest of which is set to come to the Rose Theatre this September. ‘Emma,’ written by Ava Pickett and directed by Christopher Haydon, is the latest adaptation of one of Austen’s most beloved stories, set in modern day with a Gen Z twist.

“Pulpy, fun and crazy,” are the three words actor Kit Young uses to describe the adaptation. He is playing George Knightley, opposite Amelia Kenworthy as the titular Emma Woodhouse.

“There’s a lot of mad shenanigans going on,” says Kit. “We’ve got a really fun, exciting squad on this and the whole cast are absolutely electric. It’s also one of the funniest scripts I’ve ever read.”

He attributes much to the combined work of Picket and Haydon, who he says have been working on the play together for around a year.

“Chris is brilliant. He has such an eye for detail. At the moment we’re still very much building the world of the play, and he really is the captain of our ship.”

Kit is still settling into his role when we speak, deep in the midst of rehearsals, still getting to know George Knightley – a character long “known within Jane Austen’s pantheon of heroes.”

“What remains clear in our version is that George is a very astute man,” says Kit of Emma’s notoriously acerbic love interest. “He’s very smart and sees everything Emma is doing and is somewhat judging her from afar, but he’s also kind of drawn to her. He can’t stand to be around her and he can’t bear to be without her.”

To connect with such a dynamic, the actor hones in on the relatable aspects of it. “It’s that knowledge that you have of someone that you grew up with, and you’ve known since you were at least 10 or 11, and now you’re in your twenties and all this stuff is bubbling up.”

It’s this element of relatability that has Austen’s stories still resonating with audiences centuries later. And, as Kit adds, we have collectively known these characters and worlds for so long that we feel almost as though we know them.

“It’s the same with any kind of world-building. What Austen does well is that she really questions what the rules are within these worlds and to what extent people stay within the status quo. I think what’s really compelling about the drama is that people are invited into the world, they might come on side with some characters, be against others, switch allegiances and take great joy in something that is familiar but also new to them.”

(Scroll to keep reading)

Alongside many theatre roles, including a 2024 stint as Bertram in ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Kit has also starred in several works of television and film, including Netflix’s fan-favourite ‘Shadow and Bone,’ a role which he says had a huge impact on his life.

“That’s what I mostly get recognised for, which is amazing. We’re done with that show, but it’s amazing to know that people have really responded to your work. You’re kind of part of the fandom as well… You’re on both sides of it. So that’s a really cool experience.”

Kit’s other notable credits include the Scottish BAFTA-winning ‘Out of Darkness’. He also stars as Tootles in Disney+’s ‘Alien:Earth,’ which is currently airing on weekly release.

He finds that the demands of film and TV can prove themselves very different to those of theatre. “Sometimes I am astonished they are the same job! There’s a structure you have with theatre that’s very reassuring. You’re in rehearsal for X number of weeks, and you show up every day at the same time. You know the audience will be there, and you do the story in order. That’s very healthy for your own sense of self and how you move around the world.”

He finds screen work a little more unpredictable. “The scale of it may be huge or it may be very small, but you’re aware that you’re a piece of the puzzle. You can’t always interact with everyone who’s a piece of that puzzle. I’ve done entire projects where I’m still yet to meet some people who worked on it. But at the end of it you have a product that lasts forever. It really captures a time capsule where I can see things I have been a part of and pin-point those memories in my life.”

Ultimately, he wouldn’t give up one for the other. “I think I would get too bored if I was only doing one or the other! I’m really lucky to have this variety.”

But what remains true about both mediums is that you have an audience waiting to see what you will deliver to them. He finds this especially true for both ‘Alien:Earth’ and ‘Emma,’ his two current projects which both incidentally have an already built-in audience.

“With ‘Alien:Earth,’ you have the sense that people love the world. You don’t want disappoint – you want it to live up to the elements that people really love about that thing.

“And I think the same applies to ‘Emma.’ People really know the story inside out, but there are also a bunch of changes because it’s a new adaptation. And so, I also have the reverse: you think you know who I’m playing, but I’m probably playing it in a way you haven’t seen before.”

Kit hopes that audiences will enjoy this new version of the story. From the passion of the people involved, it seems doubtful that any Austen fan would be disappointed.

‘Emma’ will be at the Rose Theatre from 17 September to 11 October 2025.