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.........from Ariel Dorfman's 'Death and the Maiden' to Frantic Assembly!
Biography
I graduated from the Goldsmiths ‘Writing for Performance’ MA in 2005. Since then I have taken part in invitation-only workshops with The Royal Court (Young Writers & Invitation groups), National Theatre Studio, Paines Plough and Lark Development Agency (NY). I was one of the seven writers who was selected for the Old Vic 24 Hour Play event last year and have had my work premiere at the Hotbed Festival, Hotink Festival (NY) and Ikwhezi Festival (SA) in the last two years. My plays have been performed at The Mercury Theatre, Theatre 503, Live Theatre, White Bear, Union Theatre and New End.
What first attracted you to the theatre?
I read a play by Ariel Dorfman called ‘Death and the Maiden’. That should be given to every writer when they start so that they realise the responsibility that we undertake as playwrights. It made me realise that theatre could challenge anything. I am truly in awe of it as a piece of writing and think it really highlights the power of what theatre can achieve.
If you could pick any one person or theatre company to work with on your next project, who/which would it be?
I think that some of the cross-discipline work that companies like Punchdrunk, Forced Entertainment and Frantic Assembly are creating is very exciting for theatre as a whole. Being able to merge traditional theatre practice with installation, dance and fine art creates a ‘happening’ which is both exciting for audience and participants alike.
What is your opinion of Off West End theatre, in general?
London still has a thriving off west end theatre community and there is some really exciting work being made. I do think, however, that increased rental prices are slowly killing off companies being able to take bigger risks with what they produce in these venues. The fringe should be the place where writers/directors are free to experiment and cut their teeth in theatre. However, with venues charging prices that make it nigh on impossible to break even, even with decent houses, the inevitable result is more commercial and safer choices.
What was the most inspiring performance you have ever seen? Why?
As an undergrad I saw a performance of ‘Woyzeck’ at the Barbican directed by Robert Wilson. At the moment when Franz, the main protagonist, walks into the river to drown himself a sun rose behind the stage till an eclipse. From then on I knew that anything could be staged; anything was possible.
,b>What piece of work are you the most proud of?
My current play ‘Whispering Happiness’ has been in development for two years now, so I’d have to say that. It takes an incredible amount of work to make the initial concept of a play into a finished script that you recognise and are confident going into rehearsals with; I feel that Whispering Happiness has achieved that and is a testament to the development process of Box of Tricks.
What makes a really good character?
Interesting and exciting people that an audience can relate to and empathise with; people who are in a moment of crux where they will have to make a decision that will affect either their own life or the world in which they inhabit. People with something at stake; something to lose.
Are there any actors/actresses you would like to write a play for?
I think that having an actor in mind when writing can be reductive. Obviously we all would like a Patrick Stewart or Lindsay Duncan in our play, but the character they play should be free of them at the writing stage to make honest decisions and choices that in turn affect the narrative.
What play do you wish you’d written?
‘Play’ by Beckett. Without a doubt one of the most vibrant uses of language and form in a theatrical script.
Can you tell our readers about what you’re doing now/next?
‘Whispering Happiness’ is on at the Tristan Bates Theatre this June. It is a play about growing up within a society in moral freefall, something I think we can all relate to. After that my new play, ‘The Captain of The School Football Team’, is being developed and will have a reading at the Hotbed Festival before going on to be performed at Latitude this summer. I also have plays on at The Arundel Theatre Festival and London Literature Festival.
Box of Tricks presents Emson’s ‘Whispering Happiness’ from 9th June to 4th July at the Tristan Bates Theatre, Covent Garden. For full details, and to watch the video trailer, visit www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk
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