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 Elizabeth Wood about their new show Murder on the Allotment: The Musical.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Well I’ll start with what it’s not: it’s not a murder mystery! But it is a funny and thought provoking musical about the “blissfully boring” life on a rural UK allotment that is forever changed by the arrival of a teenage refugee, Karwan.
Karwan made a harrowing journey to get to the UK, and now he’s stuck in the provinces and life here isn’t at all as he’d hoped. Other than being an asylum seeker, Karwan is a typical teenager who wants what most teens want – and it sure isn’t to hang out with OAPs on an allotment in the middle of nowhere.
His plot neighbours, Hugh and Virginia react to his presence in different ways, and their acceptance of him is ultimately tested when he wins the annual “Top of the Plots” prize.
There are funny songs and sad songs – and I’m hoping that the audience will leave with empathy for all three characters – even though one or two can at times be quite odious.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Camden Fringe?
I was inspired by a young asylum seeker I met, who was stuck in rural England and all he wanted was to make it to London. I found it at first hard to empathise because he was in a foster home with a kind and caring family, he seemed to be well looked after, but he was angry and bored – he hadn’t come all this way and made that journey, to idle away in the “middle of nowhere.” He was a very typical teenager, looking for fun, connection, friends, etc. Right now, the papers are filled with articles inciting fear of refugees – and the popularity of Reform shows how many people are genuinely fearful. So I think it’s important to understand what is driving these views and fears and to empathise with those who come here looking for a better life of course – but also better understand and empathise with those who are fearful and even hateful.
The Camden Fringe is the perfect place to premiere this musical – because the piece is very ‘fringy’ and a bit irreverent. This is the first time we’ve put on the full production, so it feels like a safe place to debut as it’s essentially still a WIP.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
As a first time playwright who is self producing the biggest challenge is just learning literally every aspect of production and attracting talented collaborators.
Luckily I have a great co-producer (Roger Francis) who knows the ropes and is helping me. I am also lucky to have an amazing musical director on board (Tess Adèle Glinert) and a professional musician (Scarlet Billham) assisting with the music. We also have a banging cast: Seraphim Gumede as Karwan, Katherine Glasson as Virginia, Bret Jones as Hugh.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
We are at The Cockpit, which will be set up in thrust. The allotment setting will mostly be left to the imagination of the audience as the set will forcibly be very minimalistic.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
“Small boats meet small minds in a darkly funny musical.” Because it lets you know there is a serious theme here, but also that the show is a bit silly – and a bit dark. Overall it’s meant to be a fun night out that leaves you thinking and wanting to discuss and explore opposing viewpoints.
Murder on the Allotment: The Musical runs at The Cockpit on 10 – 11 August. Tickets are available here: https://camdenfringe.com/events/murder-on-the-allotment/
