Kwaku Mills on Edward II: From Warwick University to the Royal Shakespeare Company

When I spoke to Kwaku Mills, who is starring as Baldock in Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II this month, the company were in their final weeks of rehearsals. Admittedly, rehearsals are Mills’ favourite parts of the theatrical process, seeing the near 500 year old play feel “contemporary” and “really fresh”. Breathing new life into a classic is a core aim of the Royal Shakespeare Company, especially after 30 years, is a tough task, but Mills is excited for everyone to witness the drama on the stage of the Swan Theatre. 

From the “top notch facilities” of the Warwick Arts Centre, the spirit of Warwick drama set him up for following any passion, and “lighting that fire”

For those unaware, Mills’ connections to the West Midlands runs deeper than Stratford-Upon-Avon, being a Warwick University graduate in English Literature, and an avid member of the Warwick drama scene. Growing up in London, he admits that he felt “so welcomed”, and “really found a community” within Warwick, especially through drama. “Everyone thought I did theatre”, stated Mills, and he gave kudos to the “thriving theatre community” and “supportive” atmosphere Warwick represented. Mills’ fondest memories of drama resided in his first couple of weeks at Warwick, auditioning for Wonderland by Codpiece Theatre Society, acting as the Cheshire Cat and “playing games with audience members”. Up until today, Mills remains inspired by the achievements of Codpiece Theatre Society, with two of his cast members in Wonderland recently taking their original play and West End hit, Operation Mincemeat, to Broadway, being to Mills a true “testament to the university”. From the “top notch facilities” of the Warwick Arts Centre, the spirit of Warwick drama set him up for following any passion, and “lighting that fire”. “I never thought theatre could be like this”, he states, and thus he was able to plot out his future career in theatre. 

In a rather unorthodox path, Mills initially rejected drama as a career, starting a job in advertising a weekend after graduating. Feeling the pressures of the real world, he was nervous to burst the “bubble of being at Warwick”, however, “there was a confidence that student drama gave me”, that Mills  could never let go of. Following a change of heart, Mills enrolled into RADA, which “felt second nature” after his drama experiences at Warwick. Nevertheless, Mills admitted “I am really glad I waited a bit and had the university experience”, with university teaching you a responsibility “outside the everyday” that is crucial when becoming a professional actor.

Mills still wonders, “gosh how has this happened”, with the surrealness of stardom admittedly making him “feel so lucky”

Prior to Edward II, Mills’ career has taken him from the National Theatre, starring in Underdog: The Other Other Bronte alongside Gemma Whelan, to the sitcom Extraordinary on Disney +. Mills still wonders, “gosh how has this happened”, with the surrealness of stardom admittedly making him “feel so lucky”. However, whilst these vast hubs of British theatre feel distant and unattainable for many, he admits that the weight of such institutions is often lost in the play, and the fun with the acting and the cast. These institutions do not feel elitist, but “lovely”, with Mills stating these processes always “feels like a company”, filled with “fun and laughter” and ideas from “different viewpoints”.

These sentiments and experiences have followed Mills all the way through to his current stint at the RSC, building a strong relationship with the cast through playing games and gaining trust. Edward II, although admittedly using Old English, is nevertheless both daunting and exciting, with Mills using his experience from theatre to guide him through the process. The “daunting thing never goes away” and it “still scares me”, suggests Mills, especially with the pressure of performing a well-known text. However, he advises actors to treat classical texts like a “new, fresh play”, and find resonance in contemporary issues to shape the play.

Mills suggests watchers of Edward II will witness a “taut, sexy, political thriller”

Likening this version of Edward II to smash hit television shows such as Succession or House of Cards, Mills suggests watchers of Edward II will witness a “taut, sexy, political thriller”. Stripped down, set to an hour and a half all day, he states “the ball starts rolling and it never stops”. From fighting and arguing over the stage of the country, love and passion, Edward II is set to stun fans of classical theatre in its performance at the Swan Theatre RSC, in Stratford-Upon-Avon. 

Edward II is showing at the Swan Theatre until 5 April.