In a cast of 3 and a production team of 8, what started off as a love for Reza’s striking comedy, I found an intrigue of messing with the plays dynamics.

I began by devising movement, building physical rhythm into the pace of the dialogue. I love theatre that immerses audiences, so immediately removing the play from the end-on and enacting the setting of the Serge’s living room with a deep thrust staging, allowed me to push the boundaries of Reza’s play.

I loved workshopping new rehearsal techniques e.g., rehearsing in character at the local pub. The cast loved this experiment and revealed amazing results in how they thus viewed their characters. Building on inside jokes, relationships, even their holiday getaways.

As part of WSAF, I wanted to incorporate accessibility requirements. Working with our team’s Diversity and Outreach officer, we liaised with the WSAF team to allows us to have a ‘break out’ room, partial houselights on, and the ability for audiences to leave and come back should they wish. It was great experimenting with this as previous shows had not done so before, and lots of positive feedback was received.

Overall, I felt I had challenged my own creative experience by directing a comedy, something way out of my comfort zone, and successfully sold out the run.

CAST

• Serge - Toby Anderson

• Marc - Joe Bartlett

• Yvan - Harry Molloy

CREW

• Director - Anoushay Dar

• Asst Director - Saarah Hafiji

• Co-Producer - Billy Parkes

• Co-Producer - Eoin Wright

• Diversity & Outreach - Jasmine Fuller

• Marketing Manager - Clem Mayhew

• Costume Designer - Freya Bradshaw

• Welfare Officer - Sian Edwards