Mudskipper Theatre Company’s Julia Finn tells us about Shelter
For anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing a show at Barons Court Theatre, you’ll know that this wonderful little theatre in the basement of The Curtain’s Up Pub is perfect for shows set underground! And that’s just where Julia Finn‘s Shelter places itself, with its two protagonists, Jess and Ross, finding themselves trapped in a survival bunker.
We do love a story set in a bunker, so we thought we’d lock ourselves in with Julia to ask her a few questions.
Great to chat Julia, so who are you?
I’m Julia Finn, the Artistic Director at Mudskipper Theatre Company and the writer and director for Shelter.
Where can we find Shelter then?
We’re playing at Barons Court Theatre – we really love the intimate and open stage, as well as the play being set underground being perfect for the basement theatre.
What can audiences expect?
A psychosexual horror about queerness, monstrosity, internalised transphobia and fearing what you desire.
What was the inspiration behind the show then?
Honestly, my life. I’m a transgender lesbian and I went through this intense stage of just immobilising fear of the world – something that I still deal with now and something I see in those close to and far away from me. I want to show them I understand.
How long have you been working on this play?
I started the first draft right at the end of 2022 – getting it actually onto the stage is so surreal for me at this point.
Is the verson coming to Barons Court Theatre how you originally envisioned it?
It’s surprisingly similar, but also drastically different – Madeline Whitby, who is Stage Manager and Lighting Designer for this production and has stuck by me for so long, also did extensive dramaturgical work on the script. Alongside an internal development workshop, feedback from established theatres and a scratch night it has changed a lot.
What is it you hope the audience thinks about whilst watching the show?
Our message is that at a certain point, you have to live – no matter how scary, or doomed, or short it is, you have to live authentically for it all to matter. That fear I mentioned before is so powerful, but it’s also intentional; we hide ourselves away to protect ourselves and that is good and necessary but it’s also what the people who hate us want. Sometimes you have to live even just to spite them.
Who do you imagine enjoying the show the most?
I think there could be a real informative aspect for non-queer audiences, but our main objective is connection not education. I hope trans people, lesbians and trans women will find meaning in its message and care in its delivery – when was the last time you saw a show meant for people like me? I think it’s nice, it would’ve meant a lot to me.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run?
We would love to potentially bring Shelter to bigger venues, tour regional theatres or even bring it to a fringe festival, all depending on audience response and feedback. We know the audience is out there, and we proved it with our last show SPIT (2023) which sold out in Sheffield Theatre Deli – we just gotta prove it again.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from preparing for and participating in this show?
I’ve been working on this script on and off for nearly three years, I’ve hated it, I’ve loved it, I’ve annoyed endless people about it. I think what I’ve learnt in actually putting it on is the importance of a creative partnership like what I have with Maddy, they’ve fought for me and this script in so many ways and it would be just another tepid and forgotten Google doc without them.
Will you be frequenting the bar after your show, and if so, are you hoping people might stay to ask you about the show?
I would absolutely love to chat to people after the show. I think what I want people to ask is “why did you make this show” or “what’s the symbolism behind …” because those are the questions I’m most prepared for – I honestly can’t wait to get blindsighted though. I think the most memorable piece of feedback I received was an anonymous note on the scratch night we did where they said it’s for “people who are comfortable being made uncomfortable”. I love it because it could be a scathing criticism but it’s actually quite astute. Are you comfortable being made uncomfortable? Come see our show!
If your show had a soundtrack, what three songs would definitely be on it?
Family Tree by Ethel Cain, So Wet by Elita, and Madra by Newdad. They really hit on the fear and desire and the sickly sweet pain of their combination – from love to sex to religion, that’s what we’re trying to hit upon.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career?
Take your own advice. I was writing about how people should face their fears and just live, and using it as an excuse to stay isolated and reflect my fears on myself. It took the care of others to show me that I should get out there and do it, and Maddy and the rest of the team (whom I love so much) to make it actually happen.
Thanks to Julia for taking time out of rehersals to chat with us. Shelter plays at Barons Court Theatre from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 May. Further information and bookings can be found here.
