You Are What You Eat, Little Angel Theatre
It may be the first day of Camden Fringe 2025 but we’ve still got a few more interviews to share with you before the end of July. You can find all of our July interviews here with a few more to come before month end. And why not go and book a few shows over the next four weeks when the festival will be thrilling audiences not only across Camden but many other of London’s wonderful fringe venues as well. You can find the full programme here.
For those of a certain age, You Are What You Eat may bring to mind a certain food show that graced our screens in the early 2000s. But best not to get that mixed up with Beautiful Death Theatre‘s show, which may share a name but certainly isn’t about healthy eating! Rather, this version of You Are What You Eat is a new comedy that dives into the gritty underbelly of a fictional seventies London through the eyes of two aspiring detectives.
We caught up with the trio of Izaak Hamilton-New (writer and performer), Ben Phaure (performer) and Gabriel Haslam (designer) to find out more, although we did forget to ask them about their dietry habits!
You Are What You Eat will play at Little Angel Theatre from 19 to 21 August, tickets available here.
What can audiences expect from the show?
An action-packed comedy, You Are What You Eat is a bold and funny take on the buddy cop genre. It asks: What happens when your childhood dreams crash into adult consequences? It’s as much about solving a crime as it is about growing up – and doing it with your best friend by your side.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
In March we performed at The Drayton Arms Theatre. With such a positive reception from audiences, the cast and crew all agreed that it felt right to not let this experience be a one-off and with Camden Fringe just around the corner we knew we couldn’t miss the opportunity.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
Izaak: Growing up I watched a lot of action movies, specifically ones released in the 70’s and 80’s. With that as the basis for my inspiration I wanted to create something ambitious and fun. As I knew I wanted to act in the play as well, I needed an excuse to have a cool looking mustache.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
Izaak: I wanted this script to belong to the cast and crew as much as possible. The main structure of the story has always been there but dialogue would be re-written throughout the rehearsal process to allow the actors to deliver the character they envision.
What has been the biggest challenge in realising the writer’s vision for the show?
Gabriel: From a technical standpoint, it was combining the old-timey noir influences with the comedic and slapstick elements, whilst also working with very few lights. It’s been great fun figuring out how to balance those two genres that the show plays with, and how to utilise the lights themselves for comedic effect; if the lighting state is gloomy and moody and the audience are expecting a tense investigation scene, the actors then have a great opportunity to undercut that with slapstick humour. I can’t say I’ve worked on a show where I can flip between a tense gunpoint standoff and disco lights in less than half a page before!
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
Izaak: There have been lots of recommendations from people who have seen the show to develop the script into a screenplay. So who knows, we might have the next big Netflix show on our hands.
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
Ben: Jamie Foxx
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
Izaak: The show already has an incredible soundtrack so come along and witness the greatness of it.
What is the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show?
Izaak: Banana.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Just bloody do it. Why the hell not? You create a fun and memorable experience, not only for yourself but for others around you.
Thanks to Izaak, Ben and Gabriel for the chat. You Are What You Eat will play at Little Angel Theatre from Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 August.
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