We chatted to Beth Mullen & Andrew Lambe about their production Before Ariel (22-24 September)
When did you first start creating Before Ariel and how long did it take to make the production?
Beth: I started working on it 2 years ago and in the past 6 months started working on the structure and production. I needed a director to bring it to life.
Andrew: That’s where I came in… Beth asked me to direct the show. We did a read through and the way we worked together flowed and I knew that we were helping each other creatively. It’s been an ongoing process since the first read. Still not ready!
Beth: I started working on it 2 years ago and in the past 6 months started working on the structure and production. I needed a director to bring it to life.
Andrew: That’s where I came in… Beth asked me to direct the show. We did a read through and the way we worked together flowed and I knew that we were helping each other creatively. It’s been an ongoing process since the first read. Still not ready!
What inspired you to write Before Ariel?
Beth: I think that modern society can be unforgiving when it comes to having to cope. That can be coping with anything from illness, family and stress. The play is an exploration of one girls continuing battle with such problems. I myself have suffered with a long-term illness and I’ve found the affects of surgery and medication difficult. In these times I’ve felt lost and negative, I also believe I’m not the only person to have felt that. But the play is by no means autobiographical; Ariel is a character I created.
Beth: I think that modern society can be unforgiving when it comes to having to cope. That can be coping with anything from illness, family and stress. The play is an exploration of one girls continuing battle with such problems. I myself have suffered with a long-term illness and I’ve found the affects of surgery and medication difficult. In these times I’ve felt lost and negative, I also believe I’m not the only person to have felt that. But the play is by no means autobiographical; Ariel is a character I created.
Comedy? Tragedy? Which genre would you describe Before Ariel as?
Beth: Comedy and tragedy. Equally.
Andrew: A tragedy that makes you laugh.
Tell us more about Duckduckgoose, how did the company get started and what has been its journey so far?
Beth: A farce. We’re a joke.
Andrew: I think its come out of both of us going CRAZY since finishing drama school. I think Beth turned that into something positive. I think the company is still in baby stages but has a promising future.
Is this your first one-woman-show or have you performed in others before? How is it different from sharing the stage with others?
Beth: This is my first one-woman-show, in terms of acting and writing. It’s been a lot of pressure but as a production team, Andrew and I have fun. So, the work is always rooted in having fun, being truthful and telling a story. And I think it’s a story that needs to be told.
Beth: Comedy and tragedy. Equally.
Andrew: A tragedy that makes you laugh.
Tell us more about Duckduckgoose, how did the company get started and what has been its journey so far?
Beth: A farce. We’re a joke.
Andrew: I think its come out of both of us going CRAZY since finishing drama school. I think Beth turned that into something positive. I think the company is still in baby stages but has a promising future.
Is this your first one-woman-show or have you performed in others before? How is it different from sharing the stage with others?
Beth: This is my first one-woman-show, in terms of acting and writing. It’s been a lot of pressure but as a production team, Andrew and I have fun. So, the work is always rooted in having fun, being truthful and telling a story. And I think it’s a story that needs to be told.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing Before Ariel to the stage?
Beth: I think the biggest challenge for me has been embodying my own text (that sounds wanky) but it’s true. It’s hard to act it without being critical of the writing.
Andrew: The biggest challenge is whether we needed it to be natural or surrealist. Beth wrote something with infinite possibilities so the challenge (but fun) part of it was creating something that honoured the writing and the performer Beth is. - That also sounds wanky!
What can we most look forward to from your production?
Andrew: Something funny, everyone loves to laugh. Also you might learn something.
Beth: I think you can look forward to feeling understood. The play is a hand to hold, the world can be a crazy, awful and hilarious place and for one night we can share in that together.
Beth: I think the biggest challenge for me has been embodying my own text (that sounds wanky) but it’s true. It’s hard to act it without being critical of the writing.
Andrew: The biggest challenge is whether we needed it to be natural or surrealist. Beth wrote something with infinite possibilities so the challenge (but fun) part of it was creating something that honoured the writing and the performer Beth is. - That also sounds wanky!
What can we most look forward to from your production?
Andrew: Something funny, everyone loves to laugh. Also you might learn something.
Beth: I think you can look forward to feeling understood. The play is a hand to hold, the world can be a crazy, awful and hilarious place and for one night we can share in that together.
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