If you are in the South of England then I have a treat for you this next week- the show Three is coming to the EM Foster Theatre in Tonbridge on the 24th / 25th October and BEAM in Hertford on the 28th-29th October. A show that delves into family and growing up. I spoke to Molly to find out all about it.
Hello! Tell us about yourself ?
Hello! I’m one of the co-artistic directors of our company, Smoking Apples Theatre and for Three, i’ve written the script and co-directed the show.
Tell us a bit about the show Three
Three is a beautiful show about three neighbours, Ida, Jaanvi and Ralph. It explores their relationships with their grandchildren and looks at themes of ageing, cultural heritage, family and intergenerational wisdom. Using expressive mask, delicate puppetry and cinematic shadow play, everyday domestic scenes transform into moments of magic and poignancy. Rather than focus on the negatives of ageing, Three, is about how a life lived in full can bring richness, whether you are 7 or 70.
How are rehearsals going?
Rehearsals are going well. We did some previews of the show back in July, which were really positive and we’re now just about to head back into rehearsals for the premieres which start mid-October. It’s actually been quite nice to have a small pause between the two. We’re coming back to it with fresh eyes and making some small tweaks here and there.
What can you tell us about the stage set?
The set is an epic structure, which rotates like a giant carousel. It features the three different kitchens of each character, and they each reflect their own unique personalities. There are doors which open into each of the spaces, keeping them connected and it’s been a really fun way of exploring how lives lived simultaneously can be so similar yet so different at the same time.
Tell us a little bit about the rest of the cast
We have an incredible cast of three performer/puppeteers. There’s Hattie, who is one of other co-artistic directors of the company, Josh who is an experienced mask performer (currently on tour with Vamos Theatre) and Louise, who is an experienced puppeteer. They take on multiple different roles throughout the piece. For example, the performer who is puppeteering Sophie, one of the grandchildren, when she is little, then plays her as a masked character when she is older.
What is the most challenging thing about doing the show?
One of the most challenging things about Three is the sheer logistics of performing multiple characters, sometimes in mask, sometimes as puppets, whilst having a giant rotating set. I describe the task as being akin to someone blindfolding you (as visibility is limited in the masks) and then telling you to walk across a space where a giant wall can hit you at any given moment, whilst still being able to perform and tell a story! There’s a lot of trust involved between the cast and a lot of precise timing!
The best thing about touring the show?
The best thing about touring Three is the audience response. You just can’t beat it! There’s just a palpable energy that exists within that space and time and it’s different every night. It’s also really nice to meet different people from different places and still find out that we actually do have so much in common. Which is what Three is all about really.
What have been some of the best highlights since doing the show?
There’s a moment, as the show begins and all of the characters are introduced. I’m often sitting in the audience so what happens is I can feel the audience be a bit like ‘this is weird’, ‘these are masks’ and there’s a little distance that happens there. Then slowly, as the show progresses, it’s really magical to feel that all melt away, as the audience starts to invest fully in the characters and their lives.
What is the best reaction you have had from an audience member?
We’ve had some beautiful reactions, with one lady saying that she thought there was double the amount of performers! The most special ones though are when the story really relates and we’ve had so many people say that the first thing they did after seeing the show was call their parents, or grandparents, children, or grandchildren.
If people want to follow you on social media where can they find you?
@smokingapplestheatre
Finally in three words why should people come to your show?
Joyful. Heartfelt. Uplifting.
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