Ahead of "I didn't want this. I just wanted you." at The Bread & Roses Theatre this July, we spoke with Aaron-Lee Eyles to find out more about this fascinating show...
What inspired you to create this show? Why this story?
The initial inspiration came from a personal desire to create a show about a lottery winner. I didn’t know which lottery winner, or what the story would be, but for some time I’ve wanted to interrogate the issues that arise from sudden financial gain and the pressure that it brings. After coming across Billie-Bob’s story I knew that this was the one. It is already a story full of drama and tragedy.
You describe the piece as a 'musical tale', what do audiences have to look forward to?
Many things! Musically this play is going to be a lot of fun; some country/ folk music and a little southern rock, we’re hoping to have some of the music played live too! It’s not just instrumental either, our cast are wonderful singers and Rob Hardie, our musical director, has some beautiful and chilling harmonies at the ready.
Have there been any obstacles in the creation of 'I didn't want this. I just wanted you'?
As a self funded company we pay our actors and creative’s through profit share – which is wonderful but has meant scheduling rehearsal around other work/ commitments- it’s been a challenge but one we are more than ready for. Another obstacle has been working out what to and not to include in the play, Billie-Bob’s story is already so full and dramatic that we couldn’t possibly stage it all!
What inspired you to create this show? Why this story?
The initial inspiration came from a personal desire to create a show about a lottery winner. I didn’t know which lottery winner, or what the story would be, but for some time I’ve wanted to interrogate the issues that arise from sudden financial gain and the pressure that it brings. After coming across Billie-Bob’s story I knew that this was the one. It is already a story full of drama and tragedy.
You describe the piece as a 'musical tale', what do audiences have to look forward to?
Many things! Musically this play is going to be a lot of fun; some country/ folk music and a little southern rock, we’re hoping to have some of the music played live too! It’s not just instrumental either, our cast are wonderful singers and Rob Hardie, our musical director, has some beautiful and chilling harmonies at the ready.
Have there been any obstacles in the creation of 'I didn't want this. I just wanted you'?
As a self funded company we pay our actors and creative’s through profit share – which is wonderful but has meant scheduling rehearsal around other work/ commitments- it’s been a challenge but one we are more than ready for. Another obstacle has been working out what to and not to include in the play, Billie-Bob’s story is already so full and dramatic that we couldn’t possibly stage it all!
Who are the collaborators on this production?
On this project we have Rob Hardie as Musical Director/Co-Director alongside myself as Writer/ Co- Director. Then we have a brilliant cast of four performers, Luke Palmer, Harriett O’Grady, Grace Price and Thomas Crichton.
Who should see this show & why?
This show is a great watch for anyone that enjoys real stories in theatre and up is for learning something alongside being entertained. The play appeals to adults of all ages – due to some of the themes explored we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under 16. As well as being wild and fun, there’s a strong anti-capitalist message and we hope to inspire positive change within society- so the audience should be ready for that!
On this project we have Rob Hardie as Musical Director/Co-Director alongside myself as Writer/ Co- Director. Then we have a brilliant cast of four performers, Luke Palmer, Harriett O’Grady, Grace Price and Thomas Crichton.
Who should see this show & why?
This show is a great watch for anyone that enjoys real stories in theatre and up is for learning something alongside being entertained. The play appeals to adults of all ages – due to some of the themes explored we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under 16. As well as being wild and fun, there’s a strong anti-capitalist message and we hope to inspire positive change within society- so the audience should be ready for that!
What attracted you to stage this production at The Bread & Roses Theatre?
I was here last year with Freaking Free Mark DeFriest and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the theatre. Your team are wonderful and a delight to work alongside. “I didn’t want this. I just wanted you.” is to be presented in a similar style to last year’s play so it is useful that I know the space and what to expect.
What have been the highlights of the devising process for 'I didn't want this. I just wanted you'?
It’s just been so nice to work again, to be in a room with a group of people and to have that energy back is amazing. Our team are so energetic and committed so I have to say that working with everyone has been the biggest highlight so far.
What do you think the future of British fringe theatre looks like and how do Unmarked Theatre or this show fit into it?
I hope that it will be diverse, that it will be political and unapologetic. Fringe theatre is its own brilliant world that allows all kinds of creative people to express themselves in a way that commercial theatre may not allow. This show is an example of that, a group of 6 relatively young creative’s collaborating and using our minds to put our own mark on the industry. Unmarked Theatre will continue to produce small scale, innovative and often form-bending work, we also want to inspire other companies to do the same.
What's next for Aaron-Lee / Unmarked Theatre?
I’m not sure, which is exciting! I’m coming to the end of a couple of projects and looking forward to a (hopefully) going on holiday this summer, we’ll produce another show in the autumn (watch this space) and next year is looking positive too. The pandemic has taught me that it’s good to have a plan but everything can change in an instant, so an open mind is important.
"I didn't want this. I just wanted you" running at The Bread & Roses Theatre 4th July at 2pm & 12th July at 7pm & 9pm, tickets available here.
I was here last year with Freaking Free Mark DeFriest and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the theatre. Your team are wonderful and a delight to work alongside. “I didn’t want this. I just wanted you.” is to be presented in a similar style to last year’s play so it is useful that I know the space and what to expect.
What have been the highlights of the devising process for 'I didn't want this. I just wanted you'?
It’s just been so nice to work again, to be in a room with a group of people and to have that energy back is amazing. Our team are so energetic and committed so I have to say that working with everyone has been the biggest highlight so far.
What do you think the future of British fringe theatre looks like and how do Unmarked Theatre or this show fit into it?
I hope that it will be diverse, that it will be political and unapologetic. Fringe theatre is its own brilliant world that allows all kinds of creative people to express themselves in a way that commercial theatre may not allow. This show is an example of that, a group of 6 relatively young creative’s collaborating and using our minds to put our own mark on the industry. Unmarked Theatre will continue to produce small scale, innovative and often form-bending work, we also want to inspire other companies to do the same.
What's next for Aaron-Lee / Unmarked Theatre?
I’m not sure, which is exciting! I’m coming to the end of a couple of projects and looking forward to a (hopefully) going on holiday this summer, we’ll produce another show in the autumn (watch this space) and next year is looking positive too. The pandemic has taught me that it’s good to have a plan but everything can change in an instant, so an open mind is important.
"I didn't want this. I just wanted you" running at The Bread & Roses Theatre 4th July at 2pm & 12th July at 7pm & 9pm, tickets available here.
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