It is the last feature of the year so we are finishing off 2023 with a bang before we go on and celebrate the festive season and the end of the year in December. This month we speak to writer-performer and improviser Laurie Stevens. This year she has had a busy one performing the show Sticky Floors – A wild mashup of character comedy, clown, drag and live music exploring teenage anger. Today we get to find out more about the solo show Sticky Floors. On the 21st November, it is being performed at the Camden People’s Theatre.

You are creating a show called Sticky Floors – what can you tell us about that?

It’s about an emo teen called David who dreams of being a rock star. When a fight with his friend  puts their band in jeopardy, he has to figure out how to become a rock band all by himself. It’s a wild  mashup of character, clown, drag and live music that’s both deeply emotional and deeply silly. 

The show involves quite a bit of audience interaction, so that the narrative plays out with them,  rather than with me narrating everything. I love it, and I’ve realised that’s because it’s basically extra risky improv! 

How did the idea come about? 

I created the character as part of an assignment to ‘be unrecognisable’, and I just loved him so much I  knew I wanted to make a show in his world. 

You performed the show at the Vault Festival 2023- what was the reaction to the show?

The reaction was lovely and the audiences were so up for it. My favourite thing was people going ‘I  was that teenager! Those were the songs I played!’ 

You are also performing this show again this month at the Camden People’s Theatre, that is  exciting! What can you tell us about that? 

It’s the next evolution of the show. I’ve completely taken it apart and put it back together since I last performed it, and I’m excited to get it in front of an audience. 

It is a work in progress – what key things have you learnt about performing this show this year?

As much as you prepare, sometimes you can only take the show to the next level by getting it  onstage. Especially as this show involves audience interaction – there’s a lot that you can work on in  rehearsal, but you can’t practise audience interaction without an audience! 

What are your favourite things about performing this show? 

Just being David. I think the way he sees the world is simultaneously sad, sweet, and very silly. 

It is set in 2006, are there any particular musicians or bands from that time that you feel helped  inspire this show?

All of them! I wanted to incorporate the emo bands of that time, but also to play some slightly older  songs that would have been considered classics by mid-noughties teens. So, there’s some Jimmy Eat  World and My Chemical Romance, but also some Metallica and Nirvana. Because nothing beats  being a teenager and discovering a legendary artist for the first time. 

What is the most challenging? 

All the music stuff! It’s a lot to keep on top of technically, and I’ve learned to play the guitar and  drums specifically for the show, so I’m constantly flying by the seat of my pants! 

What advice would you give to others who want to perform solo shows? 

Try out ideas wherever you can, e.g. open mic spots, or scratch nights. Ask for help. Set yourself  deadlines where you’re accountable to other people. 

One of the main things that you are a part of is the Camden’s People Theatre – give us a brief  introduction to what that is? 

They’re a brilliant theatre who champion new writing and really want to develop you as an artist. They’ve been so supportive of the show. 

How did you get involved with it? 

I was accepted onto their Starting Blocks programme at the beginning of this year – they commission  around six artists and support you through the early stages of development of a new show.