‘Pops’
‘Pops’ was written from a personal place and grew into something much more universal. This piece wrote itself, despite my resistance, it wanted to be made. I’m mad grateful for it. We made and scratched ‘Pops’ at Newcastle’s Live Theatre (with the brilliant Holly Aston , Sean Campion and Imogen Knight), before opening at Zoo Roxy, Edinburgh Fringe 2019. We also enjoyed a short run at HighTide’s Adleburgh Festival.
Team: Performed by the magnificent Sophie Melville and the wonderful Nigel Barrett. Directed by Ali Pidsley. Designed by Kieran Lucas (sound), Bethany Wells (set&costume). Movement by Jennifer Jackson. Produced by Jake Orr Productions, HighTide and Live Theatre. Photo: The Other Richard.
Awards: HighTide Disruption Festival Edinburgh Season 2019. The Stage Edinburgh Award 2019.
Print: Published by Bloomsbury.
Personal: What was hard: Finding the shape of the piece, trusting the messiness, letting it tell me what it wanted to be. Being ‘just a writer’ in the rehearsal room for the first time. What I’m most proud of: I’m so proud of ‘Pops’! I loved making this show! The creative team are all beautiful beautiful humans, honestly, it was an absolute privilege to work with them. What I learnt: That theatre really is a collaborative art form and how beautiful that is. That less really is often more. That I find watching my own work proper physically exhausting. That it really is best to wait until your personal healing is no longer contingent on the response, it’s so freeing, and much healthier.