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 Sushant Nair about their new show Cocaine.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Cocaine is a is a one-act play, originally published in 1917, that delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil caused by drug addiction.
The story has been adapted for the 80s decade, and centres on the character of a former boxer, Joe, whose life spirals downward as he becomes consumed by his addiction to cocaine. Also, caught in the turmoil of growing cocaine addiction is Nora, who wrestles with feelings of love, helplessness, and frustration.
Through these characters, the audience would get to explore themes of dependency, self-destruction, and the impact of addiction on relationships. The work is rich in themes of self-deception, moral decay, and the conflict between desire and consequence, making it a powerful commentary on the broader societal issue of drug addiction.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Camden Fringe?
The journey began when my Co-Producer, Geir Thomassen, who plays Joe, searched for a one-act play featuring characters and themes that remain relevant today.
With all the action taking place in a single room, the exploration of addiction, intimacy and conflict between two relatable characters felt particularly gripping. The Camden Fringe is the perfect platform for experimenting with new ideas. A tremendous amount of effort and commitment has gone into bringing this piece to life through adapting the original play and introducing new material.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
I believe the biggest challenge was adapting the original story to a different decade, which meant reworking the characters’ language, tone and accents. With a title like Cocaine, audiences will gain an understanding not only of the seriousness of the characters’ addiction, but also of the complexities of their relationship.
Writing the additional text was equally challenging. A sincere effort has been made to match Pendleton King’s original writing style and tone. Through this new material, we hope to add further depth to the two characters and offer a richer insight into their states of mind.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
The show tells its story through a minimalist approach to props and set design. Every effort has been made to draw the audience into the characters’ bedroom. The lighting and sound have been designed to evoke the troubled lives of these two individuals and the chaos surrounding them, both literally and figuratively.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
“A gripping journey through addiction, love, and second chances”
I believe this phrase reflects the emotional arc of the play. Although the story explores addiction, it is about much more than that. The characters’ conflicts take audiences on a relatable journey, ultimately offering them a ray of hope.
Cocaine runs at The Courtyard Theatre 15 – 16 August and Etcetera Theatre 30 August. Tickets are available here: https://camdenfringe.com/events/cocaine/
