Interview: Megan Tremethick

Megan Tremethick is an actor, writer, director, and producer from Cornwall known for her work in horror and fantasy. She has a central role in the resurrection of the iconic Amicus Productions studio, and has a starring role in the studio’s new anthology horror, In the Grip of Terror. We spoke to Megan about the film, her wider inolvement in the new incarnation of the studio, and her inspirations as an actor and lover of classic Hollywood style.

Can you tell us about In the Grip of Terror, and your role as Nurse Charlotte?

In the Grip of Terror is an anthology horror film, with three segments and a wraparound. Three doctors and a nurse (played by Dorian Todd, Lawrie Brewster, Nick Ford and me) find themselves at an abandoned, decrepit hospital, with no memory of why they are there. They soon discover, deep within the hospital, the mysterious Dr. Graves, played by Laurence R. Harvey, who promptly sends each of them on a journey of morality.

One of these poor, unfortunate medical staff members is Nurse Charlotte Gibbon. She seems to have the worst amnesia of them all. Beneath it all, she is a shy, reserved young woman who hides a great secret, perhaps the very reason she struggles to connect with those around her. By the end of her segment, her character transforms quite dramatically!

In the Grip of Terror is produced by the revived Amicus studio. How did the resurrection of the studio occur, and how did you become involved?

The incredible Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly have revived the studio in collaboration with the wife and sons of one of the original founders of Amicus, Milton Subotsky. Fiona Subotsky, Sergei Subotsky and Dmitri Subotsky, are also executive producers on In the Grip of Terror. Fiona Subotsky very kindly suggested two of the three stories from classic literature which were adapted into segments of the anthology. I really admire them all for the sheer dedication and hard work they have put into reviving Amicus, and I am so happy that I get to help out in small ways where I can.

I collaborate with Lawrie, Sarah and the whole team at our main studio, the British Horror Studio, and I felt so honoured when I was asked to be involved. I have been a big fan of classic Amicus films since I was very young!

The film is an anthology horror, in the grand tradition of the studio. It seems fitting to return with an anthology, but it was perhaps ambitious in terms of production compared to one feature-length story. Can you tell us about the production and making of the film?

Although it is definitely more challenging than a more straightforward narrative feature film, I am so glad that it was an anthology, especially for the reason you mentioned. I don’t think it would have felt right for our first film to be anything but an anthology. As each segment and wraparound is quite long, the preparation felt very much like prepping for four feature films. The team really pulled together, working under our brilliant Production Manager Tom Staunton, to get everything finished in time for each segment’s filming.

It was nice to shoot in blocks, which made sense for each segment and the wraparound, and the short breaks in between meant that we could put our full energy and focus into each part of the film.

Alongside acting, I was also the makeup designer on the film and worked on the brief for the fantastic team of makeup artists, including the immensely talented Rachael Gebbie as Head of Hair and Makeup. I also helped out in the costume department, sharing duties with the rest of the team. Lawrie, in collaboration with Caz Paul, our First Assistant Director and art director, designed how the sets would work and look, and then Caz and the team began building them. Rooms were regularly recycled. For example, the gothic bedroom set in the segment ‘A Diagnosis of Death’ was later transformed into the ‘One Way Ward’, and so on.

What is it like being perhaps the foremost public face of the new incarnation of the studio, and following in the footsteps of the likes of Joan Collins, Charlotte Rampling, and Ingrid Pitt?

It is truly an honour. I have adored Amicus films ever since I was about ten years old, and I have deeply admired and aspired to be like many of the actors from those films, particularly the brilliant women you mentioned.

One of my favourite Amicus segments is ‘Lucy Comes to Stay’ from Asylum, starring Charlotte Rampling and Britt Ekland. The performances were absolutely on point. I loved how Britt Ekland’s poised and elegant, seductive Lucy contrasted with Charlotte Rampling’s raw, spirited and broken characterisation of Barbara. I think certain aspects of both characters subtly inspired my portrayal of Nurse Charlotte. If I can be even half as good as them, I will be very happy!

When did you first become aware of the original Amicus studio, and what appealed to you about the films they produced?

As I mentioned, I was quite young when my dad first showed me some Amicus classics. The first one I ever watched was The Vault of Horror, and to this day it is still right up there among my favourites. It really stuck with me because the segments are so memorable, such as ‘This Trick’ll Kill You’, ‘The Neat Job’, and of course Tom Baker’s brilliant segment ‘Drawn and Quartered’.

I love classic Amicus films for their smart and witty writing, which also knows how to have fun and never feels dry. I love knowing that at the end of each segment there will usually be a comeuppance for the main character, even though I sometimes find myself feeling sympathetic towards them and wishing it wasn’t coming. Either way, I always enjoyed guessing what their fate might be. I also love that the films so often feature classic actors I adore, such as Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Donald Sutherland, and Patrick Magee. I am leaving out the ladies here only because I have already gushed about them in the earlier question.

I really enjoy the anthology format because it brings a variety of tales. Some will resonate with you more than others, but they never seem to outstay their welcome. Honestly, I could go on. How long have you got?

How have you found the response to the film so far?

I remember when it premiered at the wonderful Romford Film Festival in London, and I was so nervous that I was shaking. I am always a little nervous at premieres, but never quite like that. I was very aware of the responsibility of carrying the Amicus name, and I hoped that our work would be well received. Not to replace classic Amicus, because nobody can do that, but simply that people would understand what we were going for and enjoy it.

Thankfully, the screening went well and people seemed to resonate with it. I think I, and probably the rest of the team too, breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Can you tell us about your hopes for In the Grip of Terror, where viewers can see the film, and what we can expect from Amicus in the next few years?

In the Grip of Terror is now available through the British Horror Studio’s Patreon, which is the main artist platform where audiences can directly support our creative work and follow our journey with both BHS and Amicus Productions. Blu rays and digital downloads are also available, and while the Patreon is completely free to join, contributions are optional.

As for what is coming next for Amicus, I don’t think I am allowed to say too much just yet. What I can say is that we fully intend to keep creating films that act as a love letter to classic Amicus and classic horror in general. I’m very excited about what is to come.

You’re a huge fan of classic gothic style and the golden age of Hollywood. Who are your biggest influences both on your image and as an actor?

Vivien Leigh is a huge inspiration to me. Throughout my life, I have felt honoured when people have occasionally mentioned that something about me has vaguely reminded them of her. In the last few years, I have finally begun watching her films and learning more about her.