Theatre: From comedy cop to Kidnapper for Scot Squad’s Danielle Jam

Isobel McArthur’s irreverent Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of) was a word-of-mouth hit that culminated in it winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy last year in the West End.

Now McArthur has set her sights on another literary classic and, ahead of its premiere this week, one of Kidnapped’s stars says it feels like “it’s the next big step forward” for the writer and actor.

Scot Squad and James IV star Danielle Jam says McArthur and the National Theatre of Scotland’s retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella is a unique adaptation.

“We’re using modern means to tell the story but it’s still set in the same time and follows the story beat by beat, so everyone who read it growing up will see it’s still the same tale and characters, but we’ve added in a few new things for comedy and to reference what a modern audience will enjoy.

“It has the same flavour as Pride & Prejudice, which I loved. As well as it being a silly, fun and bonkers story, it’s also important; you learn a lot but it’s for entertainment, which is the most digestible form of learning.”

Kidnapped is a colourful coming-of-age story shot through with Stevenson’s blend of poetry, humour and heart, as it follows 19-year-old Davie as he navigates murderous foes, Jacobite outlaws and an inept crew of pirates on a journey of discovery.

Like McArthur’s previous show, this version of Kidnapped heavily utilises 1980s pop music to drive the story onwards, with the instruments played by the ensemble cast.

“I’m playing the cajon – the box drum – and keyboards as well as singing,” continued Jam, who is from Aberdeen. “I’d never played instruments on stage before and I had never played the cajon so it’s been a new experience and exciting. It’s very much a team effort and we’re all encouraging each other.”

© JULIE HOWDEN

Jam also worked with the NTS last year, taking a lead role in Rona Munro’s acclaimed James IV.

“That was my first full NTS show and it was a powerful experience both in my career and personal life. It felt like I’d arrived in my confidence much more as a performer. I felt very present throughout and it will stay with me for a long time.”

Jam, who plays a variety of characters in Kidnapped, began acting with a community group near her home when she was 10 years old and that led to her studying acting at college and university. She picked up her first big job on CBeebies’ Molly & Mack before she graduated.

“I had just handed in my last piece of written work when I got the call to say I had the part,” she explained. “It was good to know I had something lined up coming straight out of uni, which is quite rare. Molly & Mack was a really good first gig, as it was such a lovely story and family-friendly, and I felt it eased me in well to the industry.”

Jam is probably best known to television viewers as Eleanor Hipgrave, the youth liaison officer on Scot Squad who isn’t quite as in touch with the kids as she thinks.

“She was a good character. It was about trying to find the balance between her being young but not being young enough to understand what the teens are talking about, and her trying too hard.

“Scot Squad was really different and challenging, but it was good for me. We would film so many different sketches, maybe 10, in one day, and then they picked the best ones. People think it’s scripted but it’s all improvised – they shout things at you while the camera is rolling and it was about constantly playing and thinking of things to do. I’d never done anything like it before and it was so tiring, but it was worth it.”

Kidnapped, Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, until Saturday, then Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Lyceum, Edinburgh; Eden Court, Inverness; and Perth Theatre