Interview: How to Keep Your Costume Costs Down

Brighton Fringe Interviews

As well as writing and directing his own Brighton Fringe show, Nick Myles somehow found the time to grab six of his fellow writers to find out more about their shows. You can find details of all the others here.

Here Martin Stewart tells us more about his show, Prospero’s Dead, which as the title might suggest, has more than a passing nod to Shakespere’s The Tempest!

Prospero’s Dead plays at The Lantern @ Act between Friday 23 and Sunday 25 May, tickets available here.

Show in a nutshell.

Sequel to Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Three of the characters from that play are re-united five years later and thrown into a tussle of dream, desire and domination enacted by way of a series of interlocking rituals. 

What was your inspiration?

A love of The Tempest plus an interest in European (particularly Polish) theatre with a tradition of working with ritual and physical actions.

Why Brighton Fringe

It reminds me of what Edinburgh was like before it exploded. Plus it’s closer to home, being a Londoner, and it’s a place I love any time of the year.

Have you done Brighton Fringe before?

Yes in 2019 with a solo show. It was a very positive experience: good audiences, exciting atmosphere, positive feedback, friendly venue staff, excellent fudge pantry (not a euphemism).

Who do you think your show will appeal to?

Lovers of visual theatre, dream theatre, theatre where the audience are taken to a different plane of existence.

Do you plan to take the show on elsewhere?

Yes – London in the autumn.

What are the challenges you’re facing with this show?

Getting an audience for such a late time slot – we finish at midnight! Plus, working in an area that’s new to me, where the story is conveyed via a series of physical actions with a lesser emphasis on the spoken word. 

What makes your show different?

It’s performed naked – which is both a USP and also a great saving on the costume budget.

What are you hoping to achieve in Brighton?

These will be the first public performances for my company Jarzgar, and the aim is to show some of the work to the public.

Chances of breaking even?

Zero!

Anything to add?

Please stick around and talk to us afterwards – feedback of any nature is so valuable, we’d love to hear it: the good the bad and the beautiful.

Many thanks to Martin for their time. Prospero’s Dead plays Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May at The Latern @ Act. Further information and tickets here.