Proforca Blog - Alex Knott, Writer - "Feel More"

In the run up to our February 2019 productions of #ProforcaFeel and #FeelMore we threw open the doors of the Proforca Blog to our new collaborators, writers and Production Team. Taking over the blog for a look at crafting a “Feel More” monologue is the brilliant Alex Knott!

It was the middle of last summer, at the height of the Edinburgh Fringe, when David first mentions Brenda to me. 

(Get me, sounds like I’m writing Breakfast at Tiffany’s).

Me, a little bleary eyed, more than a little exhausted and running on fumes, the manic flyering energy that most Fringe participants generate and the Underbelly gin. David, looking far more composed, with a cup of tea in front of him that I will later discover seems to materialise literally wherever he goes.

 David is explaining the idea behind the ‘Feel’ universe.  - “It’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for theatre”.

This idea of an interconnected world, or maybe, better, one interconnected story, all branching off from James Lewis’ initial play, seems like it provides an almost endless supply of opportunities to the writers involved. The idea of the basis of the project being on a tube platform is immediately intriguing. 

This is a project about the way we live now, about our generation, about how Millennials fail to connect with one another. It is, certainly a play for now, and is added more irony and poignancy by the fact that ‘Feel’ is set in the run up to the EU referendum. Now, in the wake of that decision, and with so many of the most crucial decisions teetering on the edge, that play is going to feel like something of a harrowing warning. A warning that, possibly, we’re far too late to heed.

“There’s any number of strands in the play that writers could pick up on. Stories that could be told.”

Possibilities.

“There’s a woman at the station. She’s never seen, only mentioned. Brenda from UKIP.”

That’s the only mention of Brenda that day. For now. 

Jump forward to a morning in mid-November, on the first day of the projects. Both projects. This is where the teams behind ‘Feel’ and ‘Feel More’ (the series of stories from the world of Feel, all written by new playwrights) will meet and hear the play out loud for the first time. I mention to David that with our names laid out on cards, in front of our allocated chairs, it feels like we’re making Broadchurch. 

That’s not a bad shout, to be honest, as there is something televisual in the style, the energy of the play. It wouldn’t make a bad TV series. Or radio play. This is where the possibilities are endless. Stories could continue to populate this world. A whole world of disconnected Londoners. Born and bred Londoners, or those who simply find themselves in this city for better of worse. The opportunity to tell a thousand lonely stories. There isn’t a clear endpoint for a project like that.

By this point, David has asked me to pick up the story of the woman from UKIP. I didn’t want to write a monologue criticising the Leave campaign, or trying to get cheap laughs at UKIP’s expense. That would be the simplest option. Instead, I want to try and tell a story that makes you feel for Brenda. Maybe for just a handful of minutes, you can see her side.

“The most important thing is that the monologues are relatable, and that these are people we’d like to spend time with.”

David throws me a look.

“Except Brenda from UKIP.”

Challenge accepted, David. I think to myself.

Now a few weeks down the line, and some words have been written. They’ve yet to be edited, but the page isn’t blank any more. I’ve tried to give Brenda a voice that she’d be proud of.

I don’t believe that theatre is a soapbox; it isn’t there to shout politics at an audience through a loudhailer – so you’ll have to buy a ticket to see what a coconut shy and game show prizes might have to do with Brexit or UKIP. 

The words are going to be spoken by Demelza O’Sullivan. There’s a date in the diary. The show is going on. From that initial conversation in Edinburgh, the woman at the train station has some words to speak. Soon it’ll be out of my hands, and into Demelza’s, to discover if she has a voice.

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Alex Knott is a Director, Actor and Writer who lives in London. When he’s not wondering where all the tea is coming from he is a writer and director with Bag of Beard and Boxless Theatre. You can follow Alex on Twitter @AlexKnott95

Proforca Theatre Company are a fringe theatre company based in London - our productions of “Feel” and “Feel More” head to The Space, London from Feb 5th to 17th 2019. Tickets for all performances are on sale NOW. For more information follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre #TeamFeel.

10 Questions from Feel More - Demelza O'Sullivan

Brenda lives! In the run up to the launch of Feel and Feel More we’re spending time with our brilliant cast and creative team. First up (and repping for the Midlands!) We have the brilliant Demelza O’Sullivan who features as “Brenda” in “Feel More” by the equally brilliant Alexander Knott. Find out about Demelza right here!

1. Describe yourself in Five Words
   Shy, strong-willed, clumsy, daft, generous…

2. How would those that know you best describe you?

   I actually think I’m quite an introvert but my friends always describe me as ‘bonkers’ (I can’t think why!) It’s probably because I’m always up for a laugh and will try pretty much anything once. I am also a risk taker and try to live by the motto ‘To live in fear is not to live at all’ as Corey Feldman once said in the classic 80’s film ‘License to Drive.’ I do have a problem with starting conversations with people I don’t know though as I am a bit socially awkward.

3. What actor do you most admire and why?

   I love Emma Thompson. Not only is she an amazing actress but I was also very lucky to meet her recently. She was so charming and friendly; she spoke to every single person in the room and made everyone feel really important. She’s also has the most amazing skin!

4. What’s the best thing you’ve seen at the theatre and why?

   I go to the theatre a lot but I recently saw ‘The Lieutenant of Inishmore’ by Martin McDonagh at the Noel Coward theatre and it was brilliant. It has been my favourite play since I read it at college and I’ve always wanted to see it on stage. It was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a very long time, so much funnier than when I read the script to myself as I can’t do the Irish accent. The acting from all of the actors was superb but it did have a very handsome actor in the lead role…

5. If you could play any theatre role yet you haven’t, what would it be and why?

   I love musicals; I grew up watching them because my mom was a big fan. I never really get to play happy, funny characters so I would love to play Dolly in ‘Hello Dolly.’ I’m not musical theatre trained so would probably get booed off the stage but the character of Dolly is just so scheming and hilarious. I love Barbara Streisand and the film version is one of my favourite films. I remember watching it over and over as a child. It’s the film that made me want to act. 

6. What scares and excites you most about acting?

   The most exciting thing about acting is the uncertainty of it all. You never know what role you are going to play next and it’s so much fun getting to meet new people all of the time. I love theatre because of the adrenalin rush you get before each performance – there’s nothing else like it. The scariest thing is also the uncertainty of it all! The continual search for work and not knowing whether you are going to be able to afford to pay the rent next month is difficult.

7. What’s been the most challenging thing you’ve done on stage?

   I recently played the character of ‘Maggie’ in Anna Jordan’s ‘Yen’ which was an amazing but challenging role to play. She is a diabetic, alcoholic mother who leaves her young sons on their own in a flat to fend for themselves. It was a physically and emotionally demanding role in which I had to swear a lot and also smoke for the first time ever. I learned a few new words! I also set fire to my eyelashes but I don’t really talk about that part…

8.  If you could swap lives with anyone for the day who would it be and why?

   I would like to swap lives for a day with Eleanor Tomlinson who plays the character of ‘Demelza’ in BBC’s Poldark. Obviously this is because my name is Demelza and not for any other reason, DEFINITELY not because Aidan Turner plays Ross Poldark…ahem…moving swiftly on!

9. What do you like most about the world of Feel / Feel More and why do think people should buy a ticket?

   I love how Feel / Feel More tell stories that are relevant to today’s society. Sometimes the themes are ones that we don’t often talk about, like loneliness or depression, but people are out there feeling these things and their stories need to be told. There are also heartwarming stories to be heard about love and happiness. I love how the writers create characters that the audience can relate to and empathise with. You really do find yourself getting drawn in to their worlds. There is something there for everyone and that’s what drew me to the project. If I wasn’t in it, I would definitely be watching it so get a ticket before they sell out!

10. Tell us something about you which people might not know…
    I am one of twelve children!

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When she’s not setting fire to her eyelashes outside Aidan Turner’s dressing room in the hope that he’ll make better wife choices in the future, you can catch the brilliant Demelza as “Brenda” in “Feel More” at The Space this February. Tickets for “Feel” and “Feel More” are on sale now from www.proforca.co.uk/boxoffice.

You can find Demelza on Twitter @DemelzaO and you can also follow Proforca Theatre Company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre. Our web address is www.proforca.co.uk

Director's Blog - Unboxing Reading Gaol

I miss the postman, most of the time, so I’ve never really noticed what a keen interest he’s been taking in my mail. Until I met him this morning and he told me that I had the most exciting post on his round. If only he knew the amount of theatrical nonsense he delivered and I’d managed to accumulate over the last three years. I wonder if he knows that behind my front door was Lady Bracknell’s handbag, almost the whole of Saucy Jack’s bar (complete with Glitter Boots) and one very expensive customised small stage box from the first version of Reading Gaol. Our postman is only one small part of helping to create the worlds we’ve put together the last three years, and that little stage box is about to head to a much bigger stage than the last time we saw it, alongside today’s package, with lord alone knows what’s inside.

So what’s it all about? Well, the marketing describes Reading Gaol as a “remix” of Oscar Wilde’s classic “Ballad of Reading Gaol” with five new pieces of writing and storytelling with some physical theatre thrown in for good measure. We use the original work by Wilde as a “framing” mechanism to tell the stories of five prisoners each with their own voices and personalities. You’ll find out more about them and their stories in the weeks to come – and I’m sure some of them will pop up here in the next few weeks.

Reading Gaol is really a darker, more unexplored version of Oscar Wilde’s story. We’re all familiar with the lighter, more comedic elements of his work, but the end of his life was altogether a darker affair. From respected society figure to dying in poverty and disgrace, the end of his life was as far removed from the sparkling and witty figure we’d all prefer to remember him as. We’re choosing in this version to use Wilde’s story as in inspiration, a look into one man’s darkest hour as a parallel with Wilde’s own story (but with our usual twist on proceedings – so expect a more “modern” and fresh version of the show than we staged last year.)

For this new version of the show, we’ve gone back and revised some of the staging a little bit, (we’ve got more space to play with, for a start) and we’re going to be looking at using some of the more practical elements offered by Theatre N16 in its brilliant, brand new space at Styx in Tottenham. We’re going to really bring home that brutal sense of incarceration for the audience and push our actors a little bit more than in the previous production, so if you saw the production before, you’ll definitely be seeing something new and interesting in this new version. The brilliant thing about Reading Gaol last time was the fact that it made people talk in the pub afterwards, and we hope that this will be the same this time. One of the things I love about my job is sitting in the audience watching people’s reaction during the show, and I’m excited to see what you make of this brand-new version of the show.

We’ve got a brilliant cast for this version of the production, and we’re delighted to be introducing some new performers to our growing family. I’m really looking forward to spending time with them and seeing what they bring to Monster, Guardian, Human, Innocent and Hero. We have five really strong pieces of writing from Cat, Simon, Erin and James and it’s also a dream to welcome back Harriet Lambert and Erin Read to Team “Triple Threat” and produce a bigger, more exciting version of one of our first true collaborations together.

So, look out for updates from us in the weeks to come. We’ve got a load of plans for some blogs, lots of behind the scenes stuff and more content as we chart our journey back into the dark, and I really hope to meet some of you either in the run up to the show or in the bar afterwards. Grab your tickets while you can, this one is going to be special.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got five prisoner’s uniforms and five mail sacks to unpack. I wouldn’t want the postman to think I was ignoring him, would I?

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David is Artistic Director of Proforca Theatre Company and director of Reading Gaol (2018). You can find follow him on Twitter and Instagram @DavidBrady83. Reading Gaol is adapted from "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" by Oscar Wilde and features new material by Catrin Keeler, Simon Marshall, James Lewis and Erin Read. Associate Directors Harriet Lambert and Erin Read.  

Reading Gaol is performed at Theatre N16 Monday 23 July - Thursday 2nd August 2018. Tickets are on sale NOW from www.proforca.co.uk/box office. Use discount code "Early10" for 10% off your tickets. You can follow Proforca Theatre Company on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @proforcatheatre and via our website at www.proforca.co.uk 

10 Questions from Feel / More with Kieran Faulkner

We sat down with some of our brilliant cast and crew prior to our production of "Feel / More" which returns to the King's Head Theatre next week! We'd love to take this opportunity to introduce you to Kieran Faulkner who features as "Charlie" in a piece by the writer of "Feel" James Lewis. We sat down and gave him our "10 Question Challenge" and here's what he had to say for himself! 

1) Describe yourself in 5 words
Actor, gig lover, professional sleeper

2) Tell us a bit about your character and what you like most about them?
Charlie is a regular guy who has an average 9-5 life and never does anything particularly strange. When he considers doing something completely out of the ordinary it makes him reconsider everything. He's great at looking at the bigger picture and evaluating things fairly which I like. He's also quite cheeky which I really like. 

3) What is it that you like most about Feel / More and why do you think people should buy a ticket?
Sometimes an evening of monologues has the potential to be a mixed bag but I think Feel / More works with every single one. What I like most is the warmth and honesty of each speech. It shows through in absolute spades in the way that good writing should. If you buy a ticket you won't be disappointed. 

4) What's your favourite theatre production and why?
That's a toughie. It's very hard to pick just one. Straight play would probably be Angels in America. The revival at the national last year blew my mind. Musical would have to be Les Mis, its something I performed in youth theatre several times and I have a very personal connection to it

5) If you could play only one more role for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
If I could play Bottom from "A Midsummer Nights Dream" forever and ever I would be very happy. Its just so utterly silly and amazingly fun to play, plus you get to wear a cute pair of donkey ears which is a bonus. I'd love to do it again if not forever

6) Whats the best piece of direction you've been given?
One piece of direction that stands out was when I was told to be "more like Hugh grant" during an audition. I didn't get the part so obviously I need to rewatch Notting Hill

7) Which actor do you admire and why?
Once again too many to name. If pushed I'd say Ian McKellen. To do this for that long and to be that consistently good for that whole length of time is something I could only aspire to. That and I really wanna play Magneto...

8) What would the title of your autobiography be? 
"Playing Pretend" (Plus at least 200 pages would be dedicated to useless advice like surviving moshpits, how to get the best out of a Tesco meal deal etc...

9) If you could be any sort of biscuit, what sort of biscuit would you be? 
Those chocolate ones with the wrapping you get in selection boxes. Once you get rid of the awkward fiddly wrapping there's something really nice on the inside

10) Tell us something about you which we might not already know?
I once worked security for the Royal Family. It was at Royal ascot. Somebody bought me a gin and tonic. That was the only good part of the day.

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Kieran is an actor from London and takes on the role of "Charlie" in Feel / More written by James Lewis on June 10 / 11. When he's not wanting to be one of the X Men you can also catch him in Sweeney Todd this summer in Edinburgh. You can follow Kieran on Twitter @KEFaulkner93. You can also follow Proforca on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre and via our website at www.proforca.co.uk. 

10 Questions from Feel / More - Malcolm Jeffries

We sat down with some of our brilliant cast and crew prior to our production of "Feel / More" which returns to the King's Head Theatre next week! We'd love to take this opportunity to introduce you to Malcom Jeffries who features as "Angelo" in a piece by the very talented Simon Marshall and asked him some leading questions about his role, his life as an actor, and some random wildcards to see how he'd cope with some tough questioning!

1) How would your friends introduce you? 
He’s alright when you get to know him . 

2) Tell us a bit about your character and what you like most about them?
Angelo is a lovely guy. A little disconnected from the world being the son of an immigrant. With the result being he’s nor quite sure where he fits in. But despite this fact, even because of it he longs to connect with people. His job as an Uber driver means he can indulge his love of life and people and life a little of their lives. 

3) What is it that you like most about Feel / More and why do you think people should buy a ticket?
In this modern connected world we are in fact more distant and disconnected from each other. Feel/More paints these individuals who are a little lost in some way. These stories illustrate that we all just want to be noticed. To belong. To love and be loved. 

4) If you could play any role yet that you haven’t what would it be and why?
Tough question. I’m a big Beckett fan so any character in one of his play. Also Richard III would be wonderful to play. 

5) What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Be simple. 

6) If you could swap lives with someone for the day who would it be and why?
I wouldn’t swap my life. I’m doing exactly what I want.

7) What scares you and excites you most about acting?
I’m not sure I ever feel scared by acting. When I played Macbeth I do remember thinking I could never do it. It’s such a big role. It’s such a lot of lines. I do remember on numerous occasions I was going to call the director and tell him I just wasn’t up to it and had to pull out. But then I always thought if it scared me that much I should do it just to overcome. Just to prove it wasn’t that scary. 

As far as excited me. Well, I just love the fear of getting up with the text. Working with other actors and directors. For me it’s truly a team effort. I love making mistakes. They teach you so much. But it having the courage to try and knowing that failure is nothing wrong. My favourite Beckett quote is ‘Try again. Fail again. Fail better’. 

8) What's the most challenging thing you've done on stage that you're most proud of?
Macbeth was a massive challenge and supremely enjoyable. But to be honest I’m so proud of my work with Angelo in Feel/More. I mean that honestly. I was so very lucky to have the part written for me by the fantastic playwright Simon Marshall. Plus the creative duo of Erin Read directing and David Brady as artistic director ensured that the character and the production really shone  

9) If you were president for a day, what three laws would you enact? 
Ban nuclear weapons. Unlimited funding for the NHS. Make crisps free for all

10) What three luxury items would you take to a desert island? 
A clockwork/solar powered radio

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Malcolm is an actor from London and originates the role of "Angelo" in Feel / More written by Simon Marshall on June 10 / 11. He f**king loves crisps. You can follow Malcolm on Twitter @malcolmjeffries. You can also follow Proforca on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre and via our website at www.proforca.co.uk. 

Malcolm also features as "Guardian" in Reading Gaol July 23rd - August 2nd at TheatreN16 - for more information on that production visit www.proforca.co.uk/ReadingGaol2. Tickets are available now and can be found at our website at www.proforca.co.uk/boxoffice