Dead on her Feet is a new play about to open at The Arcola Theatre, written by Emmy award-winning screenwriter Ron Hutchinson and directed by Barry Kyle, Honorary RSC Associate Director. We asked Barry a few questions about his career, the X-factor generation and his latest project.

RUN-RIOT: Tell us about Dead on her Feet

BARRY KYLE: Hope, Humour, Dances, Races. It has some of that visceral life which theatre specializes in creating. How do we get a job when we've a PhD and been turned down for a job cleaning toilets? Where did all the money go? Why aren't we angrier? Where do we go from here? · RR: How do we get the next generation to switch off the X factor and go to the theatre?

BK: Make it cheaper. Make it relevant. Empower them. ·

RR: How badly have you felt the theatre industry has been hit by the recession?

BK: Bad. It's an easier cut for both funders and for audiences. ·

RR: You've directed work all over the world as well as in the UK and the US- people often assume with these two nations that our theatre cultures are quite similar as we share a common language, but did you find that to be the case or are there significant differences in how the industry works over there?

BK: There is still a strong regional repertory theatre scene in the States. It's under awful pressure here.Things are much tighter but the regions are surviving there. Movie makers will tell you they rarely make the film they want to make. US television is a dead zone. The Internet and digital platforms are changing things, and that's hopeful. But there is far more alignment between UK and US theatre scenes than you'd be led to believe. ·

RR: You're honorary associate director of the RSC- what exactly does this entail?

BK: I directed more than 35 productions at the RSC during which I became an Associate Director. That meant I chose productions and contributed to strategy. When I left and moved overseas I became an Honorary. ·

RR: Why do you think Shakespeare productions remain so popular today?

BK: Genius. Characters that span cultures and generations. It reaches your emotions, your imagination, your memories and fears and hopes. Shakespeare is its own planet.To be found somewhere between Mars and Venus. ·

RR: You've directed national treasures like Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Patrick Stewart and Kenneth Branagh- who's been the most trouble?! Which young theatre actors would you like to work with in the future?

BK: What kind of football manager would say ....Lionel Messi is a nightmare to work with!? You should be so lucky. The answer to the second question is-: the cast of DEAD ON HER FEET!