'Bag of Beard’ co-directors, Ryan Hutton & Alexander Knott, on their first show Two Short Stories (6-10 March).
When did you first start creating Two Short Stories and how long did it take to make the production?
Ryan: The production is still being created as we speak. We have been trying to find a platform to debut a Bag of Beard production since leaving Drama School last year and when this slot arose we thought it would be fit our style perfectly. But the individual pieces are relatively new.
Alex: ‘Torn Apart’ started life as a dissertation piece at Italia Conti, so it’s had a workshop production before, but it’s playwrights are performing it in it’s current version. Whereas ‘Bath’ was only written a few months ago, so it’s pretty hot off the press.
Ryan: We see ourselves as a grassroots theatre company, so it’s proper rehearsing in living rooms and bedrooms whenever we get a chance. Both plays are in full swing, and we’ll come together as a whole company in the next few weeks and start running the show in its entirety.
When did you first start creating Two Short Stories and how long did it take to make the production?
Ryan: The production is still being created as we speak. We have been trying to find a platform to debut a Bag of Beard production since leaving Drama School last year and when this slot arose we thought it would be fit our style perfectly. But the individual pieces are relatively new.
Alex: ‘Torn Apart’ started life as a dissertation piece at Italia Conti, so it’s had a workshop production before, but it’s playwrights are performing it in it’s current version. Whereas ‘Bath’ was only written a few months ago, so it’s pretty hot off the press.
Ryan: We see ourselves as a grassroots theatre company, so it’s proper rehearsing in living rooms and bedrooms whenever we get a chance. Both plays are in full swing, and we’ll come together as a whole company in the next few weeks and start running the show in its entirety.
What’s the inspiration behind these two plays?
Alex: Dynamic new writing was always the inspiration for our first piece. Two Short Stories is our statement as a company, that we’re out to create theatre that hits an audience, and leaves them wondering before we outstay our welcome.
Ryan: And Torn Apart is really gritty, modern theatre that is going to be as touching as it is funny, and wouldn’t be out of place at the Royal Court, that kind of style. London characters, with heart.
Alex: Bath is more surreal, almost Pinter-esque. Lots of fast dialogue and out of control characters, about gambling and spivs in the 60s. Both pieces have a driving intensity and rhythm behind them.
Alex: Dynamic new writing was always the inspiration for our first piece. Two Short Stories is our statement as a company, that we’re out to create theatre that hits an audience, and leaves them wondering before we outstay our welcome.
Ryan: And Torn Apart is really gritty, modern theatre that is going to be as touching as it is funny, and wouldn’t be out of place at the Royal Court, that kind of style. London characters, with heart.
Alex: Bath is more surreal, almost Pinter-esque. Lots of fast dialogue and out of control characters, about gambling and spivs in the 60s. Both pieces have a driving intensity and rhythm behind them.