In this week's backstage blog, we chat with playwright Kate Speakman about the wonderfully cathartic, ALL THE THINGS WE'VE DONE, opening next week at Theatre Works!
What should audiences expect when they are coming to see All the Things We’ve Done?
KS: Audiences should expect to participate! They’re on their feet, moving through the space and interacting with performers. Stylistically, they should expect some really tasty visuals, strong colour choices and extremely silly performance moments. This show is an amalgamation of the mixed-lolly-bag of feelings that come with embarrassment and shame: anger, sadness and frustration certainly, but also relief, joy and laughter.
How did you and Aleksandr Corke collaborate when creating this work?
KS: Well, we’re long time collaborators so we have a shorthand when we’re working together and our instincts definitely kick in. But in short - we know what each other is good at. In the rehearsal room, we both work with the actors to devise content and then outside of it work together to shape the plot. Aleks’ is the words guy, so he puts that into a delightful script. I’m the logistics gal, so I manage the schedules and budgets. We’re both passionate storytellers who love to get silly, so it helps that we like to play together.
If Spotify created a Daylist based on this show, what would it be called and what songs would be on it?
KS: crying in my bathroom mid-2000s cringe Tuesday afternoon. Must include: Swagger Jagger by Cher Lloyd, Raise Your Glass by Pink, b i g f e e l i n g s by WILLOW, and it’s okay to cry by SOPHIE. We’re moving ALL the way across the spectrum.
What has been the most memorable moment in the creation / rehearsal process?
KS: For me, it was when we first advertised for creative roles and auditions. We had such a wave of enthusiasm and excitement from the creative community, with loads of people expressing how this topic was so close to their hearts and something they wanted to dive into. It was one of the first times we had really put the idea out there into the general public, so to be rewarded with so much positive made my tummy all funny.
If you could have anyone in the world see this show, who would it be and why?
KS: I would really love for teenage boys to see this show. If I had to generalise, I would say they’re the most resistant to feeling and expressing their feelings and could probably benefit the most from interacting with this show. Sorry to get emotional on main, but it’s so important that people learn that vulnerability is okay! And even if they don’t get that from this show, they’ll get a laugh.
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