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Adam Scott-Rowley tells us about YOU ARE GOING TO DIE
Not many of our interviews begin with “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on!”, but today we are talking with the amazing Adam Scott-Rowley about his extraordinary production YOU ARE GOING TO DIE, which got a full five stars from us at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, and will shortly be coming to the Southwark Playhouse.
Adam, thanks for taking the time to chat. Can you explain a little about what YOU ARE GOING TO DIE is about?
YOU ARE GOING TO DIE delves into themes of mortality, vulnerability, and the human condition in a way that’s raw and unfiltered. It’s a show that breaks free from traditional narrative structures, instead celebrating surrealism, the grotesque, physical theatre, and performance art. The show invites viewers to confront their own fears and preconceptions about death, life, and everything in between, offering a space for reflection, catharsis, and lots of humour too!
Let’s cut to the chase. You perform on stage completely starkers? Why?
The choice to perform nude serves as a metaphor for the ultimate vulnerability we all share in the face of mortality. It’s about stripping away societal masks and confronting the raw essence of our existence. This choice challenges the audience to engage with the performance on a more visceral level, encouraging a deeper, more empathetic understanding of the existential themes being explored.
How do you think this unorthodox method of performance influences your relationship with the audience?
Performing in such a vulnerable state inevitably alters the dynamic between performer and audience. It creates a sense of intimacy and trust that is rare in more conventional theatrical settings. This unorthodox method invites the audience to lower their own defences, and engage with the performance in a more open and personal way, creating a unique communal experience centred around a shared vulnerability.
There are a number of different characters in this show which you bring to life using your physical performance skills. What are the challenges in this for you?
One of the main challenges is ensuring each character is distinctly realised and resonant, despite the lack of costume. The characters weave in and out, sometimes very quickly, and this can sometimes feel a bit nauseating! But ultimately it’s good fun. I guess one of the main challenges is looking after myself, ensuring the show is repeatable eight times a week!
Can you talk a bit about the staging and tech for the performance and what they add to the story?
The staging and technical aspects of YOU ARE GOING TO DIE are meticulously crafted by Matt Cater. Minimalistic yet evocative, the set (just a toilet) and intricate lighting design work together to create an atmosphere that is intimate, dreamlike, and otherworldly – drawing the audience deeper into the thematic explorations of the show. Sound and music are also key components, used not just to set the mood but to underscore the physicality of the performance, accentuating moments of tension, release, and the heavy dread of existentialism.
What do you hope your audiences take away from this show?
My hope is that audiences leave YOU ARE GOING TO DIE with a renewed perspective on life, death, and the connections that bind us. I want them to feel that they’ve not just witnessed a performance, but have been part of a shared experience that transcends the ordinary boundaries of theatre. It’s about sparking conversations, inspiring reflections, and perhaps offering a measure of comfort in the shared acknowledgment of our mortality. Ultimately, I hope it serves as a reminder to embrace the beauty and impermanence of life with openness, courage and JOY!
Thanks very much to Adam for taking the time to tell us about this extraordinary show. YOU ARE GOING TO DIE runs from 18 April to 4 May 2024 at Southwark Playhouse Borough. Further information and tickets available here.
