Interview: Clubbing, Creativity, and Connection

Inside ‘Club Life’ with Fred Deakin and Company Limited

Step into the pulsating heart of London’s club scene as FANDCO brings Club Life to the Omnibus Theatre, led by the writer Fred Deakin, director Sita Pieraccini, and cast member Lily Smith. This unique fusion of theatre, dance, and club culture invites audiences to experience Deakin’s love letter to 80s and 90s UK club life. Through vibrant, immersive storytelling, Club Life celebrates the raw energy, freedom, and community of clubbing while transforming the theatre into a stage and dance floor, igniting shared memories and newfound passions alike.

We dug out our best club gear and glow sticks and heading out to meet up with the team in a disused warehouse to learn more about this homage to youth, art, and unforgettable nights.

You can also find out more about this show in our recent podcast with Fred Deakin and Sita Pieraccini here.

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Hello and welcome to ET, great to meet you all! Let’s start with some intros.

Fred Deakin: I’m Fred Deakin, writer and performer in Club Life.
Sita Pieraccini: Hi, I’m Sita, the show’s director.
Lily Smith: And I’m Lily, one of the cast members.

What venue are you performing at, and what made you choose it?

We’re performing at Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, London. It’s perfect for our London premiere because it has that intimate fringe vibe, similar in size to Edinburgh’s Summerhall, where we won a Fringe First Award.

What should audiences expect when they walk into Club Life?

Club Life is all about taking audiences on a wild ride through Fred’s adventures in UK clubbing from the 80s and 90s. It’s immersive club-theatre, where the stage turns into a dancefloor, and we bring iconic club styles and music to life. It’s part personal story, part living art piece, and totally full of heart.

Fred, tell us what sparked the idea for Club Life?

Fred Deakin: I wanted to celebrate club culture, which shaped me so much. Clubs aren’t just places to dance – they’re where young people go to connect with others and, sometimes, even discover who they are. Club Life tells my story, but it’s really about that universal journey of finding yourself and your “tribe.” Plus, the format is experimental and unique, which is the kind of project I love to get into.

Has the show changed much from its initial version?

Fred: Yes! Transitioning from club scenes to a theatre setting has been an adventure. It took some adjustments to bring my performance style to a stage. We tried out so many ideas before we hit on what worked best. But a big part of the show stays open for discovery each night, with the cast and audience creating the experience together.

Lily, what drew you to this role?

Lily Smith: Clubbing was a massive part of growing up in Glasgow. When I was younger, I’d borrow IDs to get into clubs and started working in a big nightclub as a student. Watching all kinds of clubbers – different ages, styles, and music lovers – meet in that shared space felt so powerful. Then COVID hit, and clubbing came to a standstill, which drove home the unique energy of club spaces. When Club Life came up, I jumped at the chance to recreate that for audiences and bring that special feeling back.

What do you love most about playing your character in the show?

Lily: I love that she’s anonymous, like a lot of people you meet in clubs. She can be anyone, so there’s room for me to embody different eras and vibes. I hope people who lived through those times feel like I do them justice!

Sita, what attracted you to this project originally?

Sita Pieraccini: It was the sheer ambition of telling Fred’s story while recreating all these different club nights that hooked me. When Fred and I met, he already had tons of ideas and material from club history. I knew shaping it all would be an exciting journey, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge I love.

What’s been the biggest challenge in bringing Fred’s vision to life?

Sita: Fred’s passion for recreating the live club experience was clear from the start. The challenge was figuring out how to express that in theatre. We worked closely to uncover the heart of his story and build something authentic that doesn’t feel nostalgic or forced. Fred brings so much passion and joy, and the show holds onto that DIY spirit that defined the Edinburgh scene he was part of.

What do you hope audiences take away from Club Life?

Sita: I hope people feel like they’ve experienced a real piece of club life, creativity, and community. I’d love for them to leave excited and inspired.

Who do you think will enjoy Club Life the most?

Fred: We thought it would resonate mainly with people who clubbed in the 80s and 90s, but we’ve had a lot of young people tell us how much they connected with it! Some even say it inspired them to start or get more involved in their own club nights. And we’ve seen families come along, too, with younger folks understanding more about their parents’ youth, which is really cool to see.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or the production process?

Sita: Definitely. Seeing our first photos from Kat Gollock during the tech run for last year’s Fringe was surreal. One shot with the cast dancing in front of a big video wall, Fred at the decks – it felt like a true self-portrait of the show and captured exactly what Club Life is all about.

Will you be hanging out after the show?

Fred: Oh, absolutely! I’ll be in the bar afterward, chatting with the audience and hearing their thoughts. We’re even planning on setting up a soundtrack, so it might just turn into a bit of an afterparty!

Do you use any weird props?

Sita: A bejeweled plunger! I found it on the street in Edinburgh, and it just felt like it belonged. I knew exactly what scene it would work in, and it’s become one of my favorite props.

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Thanks to Fred, Sita, and Lily for sharing their insights on Club Life. Catch this immersive show at Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, running from October 29th to November 23rd. Further information and tickets are available here.