As Brighton Fringe gears up for 2016, Broadway Baby offers a preview of the shows, the people and the world that is Brighton Fringe. We’ve been speaking to participants from around the Fringe and asked them to give us an insight into their shows.
The incredible thing about Necessity is that it’s actually inspired by true events
Name Tim Cook
Show Necessity
Tell us a bit about yourself
I run a Brighton-based theatre company called Broken Silence Theatre, which I founded after graduating from RADA in 2013. As a company we work with new writers to help them get their work produced. We place a strong focus on the text and the quality of the performances. We have very high standards for all our shows. Think: Royal Court on a shoestring.
Can you tell us a little bit about your show, what can we expect?
Necessity is a new play from writer/director Paul Macauley, about a young couple who receive an anonymous letter, and are then faced with an impossible decision about whether to deliver the letter to its rightful owner or destroy it for good. It’s a wonderfully structured piece of writing, with plenty of twists and turns, and lots of dark humour.
Why did you decide to perform your show at the Brighton Fringe?
I wanted to take Necessity to the Fringe as it’s just a brilliant, funny, and brave piece of new writing. Every show we’ve staged as a company has premiered in Brighton and then toured elsewhere. Our last production Crushed won the Best New Play Award at last year’s festival before transferring to the King’s Head Theatre. Brighton is such a wonderful and receptive place to experiment with new work; it was a natural choice in that respect.
What makes your show different?
The incredible thing about Necessity is that it’s actually inspired by true events. I wouldn’t want to give away any spoilers, but the events of the play really feel like they could be happening on your street, to your neighbours, or even to people you know. I think it will really make the audience question what they’d do in that situation.
Who would enjoy seeing your show?
I think anyone that’s a fan of well crafted theatre will enjoy the show. It may be a comparison too frequently made, but there are some serious shades of Harold Pinter in the writing. There’s biting humour and layers and layers of subtext. It’s both funny and challenging at the same time.
What has been the best advice you have been given?
It’s actually a Woody Allen quote. He said something along the lines of ‘Never write down to your audience. Always assume they’re as smart if not smarter than you are’. Great tip for theatre.
What show, apart from yours, would you recommend at the Brighton Fringe and why?
That’s a tough choice! I’m really looking forward to seeing the work of the Pebble Trust winners this year. I’ve heard great things through the grapevine, and I think it’s really important to support young artists entering the industry. That’s what the Fringe is all about.
What do you think audiences will enjoy the most about your show?
Aside from the brilliant script, we’ve got a fantastic cast; the chemistry between them is really exciting. I think audiences will enjoy being taken on a ride, and I think they’ll be genuinely surprised, and hopefully moved, by the end of the evening.
Necessityis appearing at the Sweet Dukebox, 9-15 May 19:40
