Cheer Up Slug by Tamsin Rees explores friendship between Will and Bean who were childhood friends. But they’re not kids anymore and the adult world is a scary place. In an empty field armed with just a tent, a Duke of Edinburgh Award trip becomes more complicated than either of them planned. Ahead of opening (7-9 Nov 22) we spoke with Shot in the Dark Theatre the team behind this heartwarming story.
What inspired you to create this show? Why this story?
When I first read Cheer Up Slug I instantly connected with Bean, I enjoyed the pace of the writing, the comedy and the silliness. Both Bean and Will are very complex characters and you learn a lot about them in very subtle ways. It’s lots of fun and is very physical and messy and allows room for a lot of play and creativity. It has a couple twists and turns which keeps the audience on their toes as it lures you into a bit of a false sense of security. I think it’s an important story to be told as it tackles issues of consent and boundaries. I know I’m not the only person to have connected with Bean when first reading this story. This story actually inspired us to create the theatre company. - Charis
What do audiences have to look forward to?
Hobnobs, Golden syrup, mud, Vimto, lipstick and slugs. - Charis
Who should see this show and why?
Anyone who has ever been a teenager will get something from Cheer Up Slug. We look at those clunky, awkward parts of growing up and not wanting to grow up that everyone will recognise and we'll all laugh and cry and cringe together.
The audience comes on the journey with us as these characters learn more about each other, much more about themselves, and everything changes. - Hannah
What inspired you to create this show? Why this story?
When I first read Cheer Up Slug I instantly connected with Bean, I enjoyed the pace of the writing, the comedy and the silliness. Both Bean and Will are very complex characters and you learn a lot about them in very subtle ways. It’s lots of fun and is very physical and messy and allows room for a lot of play and creativity. It has a couple twists and turns which keeps the audience on their toes as it lures you into a bit of a false sense of security. I think it’s an important story to be told as it tackles issues of consent and boundaries. I know I’m not the only person to have connected with Bean when first reading this story. This story actually inspired us to create the theatre company. - Charis
What do audiences have to look forward to?
Hobnobs, Golden syrup, mud, Vimto, lipstick and slugs. - Charis
Who should see this show and why?
Anyone who has ever been a teenager will get something from Cheer Up Slug. We look at those clunky, awkward parts of growing up and not wanting to grow up that everyone will recognise and we'll all laugh and cry and cringe together.
The audience comes on the journey with us as these characters learn more about each other, much more about themselves, and everything changes. - Hannah
Have there been any obstacles in the creation?
The characters in Cheer Up Slug quickly descend into absolute chaos. It’s a lot of fun to stage that but it can also be really tricky to try and organise the chaos into a well rehearsed production, where nobody gets (too) hurt! - Jamie
What have been the highlights of the process?
Delving into the characters and the relationship they have with each other, playing around with movement and music, all of the support from our family and friends and eating all the biscuits. - Charis
The characters in Cheer Up Slug quickly descend into absolute chaos. It’s a lot of fun to stage that but it can also be really tricky to try and organise the chaos into a well rehearsed production, where nobody gets (too) hurt! - Jamie
What have been the highlights of the process?
Delving into the characters and the relationship they have with each other, playing around with movement and music, all of the support from our family and friends and eating all the biscuits. - Charis
What's next?
We have plans to take this production up to Scotland, possibly sometime in the new year. Then one day we hope to produce new writing and collaborate with lots of other creatives.
Cheer Up Slug runs 7-9 November 2022 at The Bread and Roses Theatre, find out more and BOOK NOW
We have plans to take this production up to Scotland, possibly sometime in the new year. Then one day we hope to produce new writing and collaborate with lots of other creatives.
Cheer Up Slug runs 7-9 November 2022 at The Bread and Roses Theatre, find out more and BOOK NOW
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