Can you tell us, in short, what A Mad World My Masters is about?
It’s a hilarious comedy about sex, money, and con-men.
What was it about this particular play that drew you in and made you want to adapt and direct it?
It was the funniest, but most over-looked play I could find. A London-set rollicking good night out – a sort of joyous satire about human shortcomings, with terrific characters and some classic comic situations that I felt could be brought bang up to date.
Why did you choose to set it in 1950s Soho?
The music, the style, and the frocks! And the plot demands that posh people are in the same place as prostitutes, bent coppers, and con men - just what was happening in 1950’s Soho.
This show ran previously at the RSC’s Swan Theatre. What are the challenges of revisiting a show you previously staged successfully?
Making sure it’s just as good second time around!
This play was written by Thomas Middleton in 1605. How do you think it has maintained it relevance today?
People’s foibles about sex and money seem to be the same as they ever were… We really didn’t need to do much adapting of the play – and from the very first performance, people recognised exactly what it was about, and
You’ve added in modern music to this Jacobean play. What does this add to the play?
The original play had music in it – we just updated it to the time we set it. But we also added wonderful Jazz and Rythym and Blues songs for each character, and we have a fantastic singer and live band with us – it adds to the live and anarchic feel of the show. It helps create an all round evening of entertainment.
The show is touring around the UK to 9 venues. How important is touring theatre?
I just had an email forwarded to me from a group of people that had seen the show in Blackpool… they were a group of ex-addicts and offenders, and for most of them it was their first ever visit to the theatre, but they loved it! They had a great night out. To get that reaction makes you realise the importance entertainment and culture can have in everyone’s lives – theatre should be a great nights’ popular entertainment – just like it was in Shakespeare’s day. Unless we’d toured the show, that group never would have seen it, because they would never have made the trip to Stratford or London.
You’ve won awards for writing, directing and acting, do you prefer one of them in particular?
The one I’m doing at the moment!
When did you first realise that working in theatre was a realistic dream?
… I started my own company with 2 other people at the age of 21. We were lucky that we didn’t know how hard it would be, or we wouldn’t have bothered!… But after a few years, we were still doing it, paying ourselves £40 a week… we just kept going until people had recognised what we were doing. You have to be fantastically determined, or very lucky – probably both – but it is a dream that anyone can realise if they really want to do it.
Do you have any advice for budding directors trying to get a foothold in the industry?
Don’t wait for someone to ask you – do it yourself!… You’ll get noticed if you just keep making work however you can.
A Mad World My Masters is on at Darlington Civic Theatre form Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 April. Call the Box Office on 01325 486555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk