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The Camden Fringe Interviews
Kieran Jordan tells us about his play Scriptless
Surely no one would be mad enough to take a show to Camden Fringe but forget to give the script to one of your cast? Well, ok, it’s fringe theatre, anything can, and usually does, happen. So this is basically exactly what Kieran Jordan is planning to do with his show Scriptless, which will be playing at Lion and Unicorn Theatre in August. It seems such a bad idea that we really needed to catch up with Kieran to find out why on earth he would do something that can only lead to chaos?
Lovely to chat with you, why don’t we start with who you are.
Hi, I’m Kieran Jordan and I am the writer and director of Scriptless.
And what can audiences expect from the show?
Laughs, chaos and confusion to put it short. So, with Scriptless everyone on stage has learnt the script and rehearsed just like a regular play… except for one. This person is known as The Scriptless. Coming in completely blind they’ll have to try and make their way through the show without knowing a single detail about story, characters and blocking. With a new Scriptless each performance, audiences can expect an entirely different take on the show each night. Everyone deserves a laugh and a good night out and this show definitely delivers that.
Where are you playing, and why that venue?
Scriptless will be performing at The Lion and Unicorn theatre 22nd to 24th August at 8:30pm. This venue has been nothing but great to work with. The space is perfect for our show and the support and resources they have provided us have been incredibly helpful. This is one of the aspects which attracted us here and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again.
What was the inspiration behind the show?
The idea for this show actually came while I was writing a completely different script. In it one of the characters talks about having read the script for the show they are in and this just sparked the idea of “What would it be like if someone hasn’t read the script for the play they are performing?” I had no idea if something like this could work but the more I developed the concept, the more I couldn’t ignore the comedy potential.
Have you tested the show elsewhere ahead of Camden Fringe?
With Scriptless we performed two work in progress shows in 2022. The shows sold out and were incredibly helpful in seeing what we needed to do to take it to the next level. The show is ever changing anyway but after our WIP shows it has really allowed us to take a hold of this concept and run with it. What we have changed I can’t exactly give away, just in case one of our Scriptless’ is reading (yes, we truly tell them nothing before they hit the stage apart from a few safety points.)
Being Camden Fringe, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you dealt with this?
Again, I can’t exactly give too much away but with our show one of the obstacles the Scriptless could face could be to do with props, or more importantly, lack of important ones. Am I being too cryptic?
What is it you hope the audience think after watching the show?
I really hope the audience leave with their mood lifted and a smile on their face. If this show can bring laughter to a person’s night, then we have succeeded. You never know who needs it. I also hope people think about giving other fringe/ pub theatre shows a chance. There is a lot of great work out there and they are often found in these spaces.
Will you be frequenting the bar after your show, and if so, are you hoping people might stay to ask you about the show?
Absolutely. I think we’re hoping someone will ask if we want a pint. Some of us are going to need it. Especially the Scriptless.
Many thanks to Kieran for his time to chat with us.
Scriptless plays as part of Camden Fringe at Lion and Unicorn Theatre from 22 to 24 August. Further information and tickets can be found here.
