A new Philip Larkin double bill is coming to London’s Old Red Lion Theatre this June, combining Almost Instinct Almost True and Labelled With Love. Ahead of the production, I spoke to actor and writer Julia Munrow about Monica Jones, unrequited love, the realities of life as an actor and why this forgotten story continues to resonate with audiences today.

Tickets and information: https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/

Q: What first drew you to the story of Monica Jones and Philip Larkin?

A: I became fascinated by Monica because she has often been overlooked. The more I learned about her life, the more I realised there was a powerful story to tell about love, loyalty and loneliness.

Q: How do the two plays in the double bill connect?

A: The second play was inspired by the first. Someone who saw Almost Instinct Almost True was inspired to write Labelled With Love, so the two pieces work as companion plays.

Q: Is playing Monica Jones emotionally demanding?

A: Very much so. When we performed it in Edinburgh, the production focused heavily on the sadness and I found it genuinely depressing to play at times. Later productions brought out more of the comedy.

Q: What sort of audience does a Philip Larkin play attract?

A: It’s a surprisingly broad audience. At its heart, it’s about unrequited love and wanting someone who cannot fully give themselves back to you. That’s something many people can relate to.

Q: How much research did you do for the role?

A: A lot. I listened to recordings of Philip Larkin reading his poetry, but I found recordings of Monica Jones even more useful in helping me understand who she was.

Q: Has playing Monica changed your view of her?

A: Absolutely. The more I learned about her, the more sympathy I felt. Towards the end of her life she was very isolated and lonely.

Q: Many people know you as an actor, but you’ve also written. Can you tell us about that?

A: Yes. Almost Instinct Almost True was actually written by me, although I originally published it under a pseudonym.

Q: What is life like as a working actor today?

A: It’s very unpredictable. You can suddenly receive a self-tape audition and have to drop everything to prepare for it. Planning ahead can be difficult.

Q: Do you prefer theatre or television?

A: Theatre is where most of my experience is and it’s what I enjoy most. Although I have done television work, including playing the young Queen in a drama about Philip Larkin.

Q: What do you hope audiences take away from the production?

A: I hope they leave thinking not just about Philip Larkin, but about Monica Jones and her remarkable story. She deserves to be remembered.

Interview by David Ridings

Philip Larkin Double Bill: Almost Instinct Almost True and Labelled With Love runs at the Old Red Lion Theatre from 2–6 June.

Julia Munrow stars as Monica Jones alongside Jack Waterman, who takes on multiple roles including Monica’s devoted student Tommy and a larger-than-life conservatory salesman.

The production is presented by Julia Munrow, Jack Waterman and A Drunken Sailor, with production support from producer Gabby Vautier, who has been closely involved with several of the company’s previous productions. Tickets are available via the Old Red Lion Theatre website.