Today we are speaking to Thomas and Dang about the show Wilder that is at the Etcetera Theatre in Camden on the 4th and 5th December. The show is a lively fast paced comedy show and today we find out all about it.
Hello! Tell us about yourself.
We’re Thomas Billiouw and Dany Van Brabant, two Belgian actors and creators living in London. Fun fact: we actually met in high school in Brussels! After that, we moved together to Paris to study acting in English, and eventually came to London, Thomas for his MA at Mountview and Dany for hers at East 15.
We love making theatre that’s chaotic, playful, and full of surprises. Big characters, ridiculous situations,… And there is truly nothing better to us than seeing audiences leave the theatre buzzing and talking.
Tell us a bit about the show WILDER!
WILDER! is a one-hour absurd dark comedy that we like to describe as The Play That Goes Wrong meets Bonnie & Clyde with a big splash of Desperate Housewives.
It actually started four years ago as a six-minute class scene. We fell in love with the idea so much that we kept talking about it, expanding it, and eventually turned it into a full 75-page script, which we first performed in Paris the following year.
The show follows Gloria and Gregory Wilder, a glamorous young couple who seem to have it all… but they’re hiding a deadly secret. As they try to keep it under wraps, they have to navigate nosy neighbours, gossip-fuelled streets, and relentless bake-sale invitations.
It’s a plot-heavy comedy, not abstract, not artsy, just pure fun. Since that early Paris run three years ago, the show has undergone significant changes. We’ve had readings, notes, and workshops with different creators, and every step has sharpened the project.
How are rehearsals going?
Rehearsals have been a joy. One of the best things is how much the actors shape the show. Every time someone new plays a character, the script evolves! They add lines, discover jokes, and sometimes even shift plot points. Because it’s a new comedy, we can still play around a lot. The show is created while we’re playing, and that keeps every rehearsal alive and unpredictable.
What can you tell us about the stage set?
The whole play happens in one room, a cosy, vintage living room that’s fancy but homely. It’s a living-room play, so the challenge is how much we can do in that one space and how we keep it feeling fresh. We use movement, timing, props, and actor energy to constantly switch things up. The set is simple, but it’s alive, with recurring motives keeping the audience on their toes.
Tell us a little bit about the rest of the cast.
We have a brilliant, international cast and creative team. On stage, there’s Kgalalelo Thakadu from Botswana, Jess Vince-Moin from Australia, and Evie Weldon from Wales. We all studied together at Mountview, and Thomas, Dany, and Kgalalelo first met while studying acting in Paris before moving to London.
Behind the scenes, our American co-director Jillian Patterson just finished her MFA at East 15, and our Irish fight director Becca Watkin is another Mountview alum. We’re a mostly female cast and crew, Thomas is the only exception! The mix of backgrounds, personalities, and energy makes every rehearsal and performance feel vibrant and unpredictable.
What is the most challenging thing about doing the show?
Keeping up with the chaos! The show moves fast, with sharp transitions, physical comedy, and lots of overlapping plot points. Maintaining timing, energy, and honesty while making it funny is tricky, but that’s also the most rewarding part.
We’re also a little nervous; it’s a plot-heavy, full-on comedy, and we want to make sure people “get it” without overexplaining ourselves. We’re very excited to get audience feedback and move on to the next round of improvement.
The best thing about performing the show?
Sharing it with a live audience for the first time in London. While we did a small run in Paris three years ago, these performances feel like the beginning of a bigger journey, hopefully Camden Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, and beyond.
What have been some of the best highlights since doing the show?
Honestly, the rehearsal process has been full of highlights. We adore our cast & crew, and we are all very passionate about the project. So being able to go to rehearsal every week and have this creative outlet amidst all working a million other jobs to stay afloat as beginning artists, has been such a privilege and joyous experience.
What is the best reaction you have had from an audience member?
The best reaction came in Paris. Someone actually asked if we had published the play because they wanted to bring scenes from it to their own acting group! That kind of response, when people love it so much they want to recreate it themselves, is the ultimate compliment.
If people want to follow you on social media, where can they find you?
You can follow us on Instagram at @wilderatfringe for behind-the-scenes moments, rehearsal chaos, show updates, and all the WILDER! antics.
Finally, in three words, why should people come to your show?
Chaotic. Bold. Hilarious.
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