The Camden Fringe is almost upon us, providing one of the best times in the capital to get into Fringe theatre, and the stories it can tell. To get prepared for the festival, Read About Stuff is running a ‘Five From The Fringe’ interview series, where creative teams answer five questions about their upcoming Festival shows.
In this interview, I chat to Tim Charles about his show The Lads Play.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Four childhood friends reunite for a funeral. On the surface, they’ve grown up—balancing careers, families, and adult responsibilities. But the moment they’re back in the same room, old hierarchies and dangerous power dynamics instantly resurface.
As the evening unfolds, Jake begins to question a long-buried secret: was one of his closest friends involved in the sexual assault of a classmate years ago?
What follows is an unflinching confrontation of trust, memory, and accountability. Blending sharp tension with raw vulnerability, The Lads interrogates toxic masculinity, the unspoken codes of male friendship, and the devastating cost of silence. It is a powerful, urgent call for truth, allyship, and standing up for women’s safety.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Camden Fringe?
Writer and creator Tim Charles grew up immersed in male-dominated environments both at school and at home. Turning 30 sparked a reckoning—a realisation of how ludicrous those dynamics were, but more importantly, how terrifyingly powerful silence becomes in the face of toxic masculinity.
Sexual violence is an everyday reality that demands to be confronted head-on if we ever hope to change it. The Lads exists to ignite those vital conversations, and the Camden Fringe provides the perfect platform to bring this bold, urgent piece to a broad and engaged audience.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
Striking the delicate balance between confronting the harsh reality of sexual assault and holding deep empathy for those with real-life lived experiences. The piece doesn’t pull its punches—because sexual violence is an everyday reality—but handled this topic with immense care, consideration, and responsibility throughout the creative process.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
Every single design element is intentionally crafted to build a semi-immersive experience. We want the audience to feel dropped directly into the centre of the room—confronted by the unfiltered, unvarnished way male friends talk when they think no one else is listening.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
“Enough is Enough.”
We are passionate about breaking the silence around sexual assault. For far too long, complicity and silence have allowed harm to continue. Real change only happens when we lean into difficult conversations—because from those conversations come understanding, empathy, and ultimately, transformation.
The Lads Play runs at Hen & Chickens Theatre from August 4th – 6th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-lads-play/
