Coming to The Bread & Roses Theatre this April, With You is a futuristic exploration of identity, connection, and isolation set in the aftermath of The Blackout, where two figures navigate their deepest fears and desires. They reach for connection in a quiet, fractured world, discovering how the simplest moments hold the deepest truths. We spoke with the creators Yuvraj and Irina about the show and what audiences can expect.
What is the heart of the story in With You, and what themes does it explore?
Irina: The heart of the story is about finding the things that unite us as human beings.
Yuvraj: I guess, in a sentence I would say… “How do you find love in a broken world?” – which is also our tagline for the show!
What inspired the creation of With You and its post-apocalyptic setting?
Y: Mainly a failed relationship! It’s a cliché but it’s true haha!
I: Also, the post-apocalyptic setting really compliments the themes we gravitate towards. And somehow, makes it more relevant?
What challenges did you face in portraying such intimate, human themes in a futuristic context?
I: Creating the right atmosphere was very important to us, and probably the biggest challenge.
Y: We knew from the beginning that for something so minimalistic, creating an expansive atmosphere would help the audience “experience” the story, instead of just being a passive viewer.
What is the heart of the story in With You, and what themes does it explore?
Irina: The heart of the story is about finding the things that unite us as human beings.
Yuvraj: I guess, in a sentence I would say… “How do you find love in a broken world?” – which is also our tagline for the show!
What inspired the creation of With You and its post-apocalyptic setting?
Y: Mainly a failed relationship! It’s a cliché but it’s true haha!
I: Also, the post-apocalyptic setting really compliments the themes we gravitate towards. And somehow, makes it more relevant?
What challenges did you face in portraying such intimate, human themes in a futuristic context?
I: Creating the right atmosphere was very important to us, and probably the biggest challenge.
Y: We knew from the beginning that for something so minimalistic, creating an expansive atmosphere would help the audience “experience” the story, instead of just being a passive viewer.
How do you think With You resonates with our current societal anxieties and hopes for rebuilding?
Y: Hopefully, people walk out of our show wanting to introspect and feeling appreciative of their loved ones. (More than they already do!)
I: We live in a world deprived of simple connection. We seem to be alienating ourselves from each other. To me, the essence of being human is quite the opposite. We need each other.
How does this production challenge or expand traditional ideas of what it means to create live, intimate theatre?
Y: We’ve created something the appeals to the senses before the intellect, stemming from our intention to prioritise creating atmosphere, which is such a sensitive element totally beyond anybody’s control. This only works if the Actors know what they’re doing and are willing to put themselves at stake emotionally (in a healthy manner, obviously).
Why did you choose The Bread & Roses as the venue for this production?
I: The support for emerging artists at The Bread & Roses was a major factor! Performing her is not only supporting but encouraging and helping our work!
Y: Also, the vibes! Really felt like a place where we could try offering something bold and out-there to the audiences. I think we need that!
What was the most rewarding part of bringing With You to life, and what challenges did you face along the way?
I: We didn’t have a traditional rehearsal process. Everything was done in my living room because we struggled to afford a proper rehearsal space. Just goes to show that if you really have something to say, then you can find a way to make work no matter what. Seeing our work come together despite it all is incredible!
Y: I got fired from my “survival job” during the process. Best thing that happened to me all year!
Y: Hopefully, people walk out of our show wanting to introspect and feeling appreciative of their loved ones. (More than they already do!)
I: We live in a world deprived of simple connection. We seem to be alienating ourselves from each other. To me, the essence of being human is quite the opposite. We need each other.
How does this production challenge or expand traditional ideas of what it means to create live, intimate theatre?
Y: We’ve created something the appeals to the senses before the intellect, stemming from our intention to prioritise creating atmosphere, which is such a sensitive element totally beyond anybody’s control. This only works if the Actors know what they’re doing and are willing to put themselves at stake emotionally (in a healthy manner, obviously).
Why did you choose The Bread & Roses as the venue for this production?
I: The support for emerging artists at The Bread & Roses was a major factor! Performing her is not only supporting but encouraging and helping our work!
Y: Also, the vibes! Really felt like a place where we could try offering something bold and out-there to the audiences. I think we need that!
What was the most rewarding part of bringing With You to life, and what challenges did you face along the way?
I: We didn’t have a traditional rehearsal process. Everything was done in my living room because we struggled to afford a proper rehearsal space. Just goes to show that if you really have something to say, then you can find a way to make work no matter what. Seeing our work come together despite it all is incredible!
Y: I got fired from my “survival job” during the process. Best thing that happened to me all year!
What aspects of the show are you most excited for audiences to experience?
Y: Its take on love and connection, and their importance. At least that’s what excites me the most about the show. Oh, and the atmosphere of course, haha!
I: The characters and the connection that forms between them! That’s my favourite element of the show!
What do you hope audiences will feel or question as they leave the theatre?
Y: Weirdly, I want them to be able to see parts of themselves in the characters. If that’s something we leave the audiences with by end of it, we’d have done our jobs.
I: I want them to leave wanting to fully embrace the people they love!
Where do you see With You going next, and are there plans to develop it further?
Y: We’ve had discussions about expanding it. But only if it feels like something that’ll grow organically.
I: The great thing about this show is that there will always be so much more to explore with its world and characters. So who knows we have in store!
What’s next for you and your collaborators after this production?
I: We have a new project in development that is in it’s very early stages right now. More on that very soon!
With You, runs 22nd - 26th April 2025, book here: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/with-you
Y: Its take on love and connection, and their importance. At least that’s what excites me the most about the show. Oh, and the atmosphere of course, haha!
I: The characters and the connection that forms between them! That’s my favourite element of the show!
What do you hope audiences will feel or question as they leave the theatre?
Y: Weirdly, I want them to be able to see parts of themselves in the characters. If that’s something we leave the audiences with by end of it, we’d have done our jobs.
I: I want them to leave wanting to fully embrace the people they love!
Where do you see With You going next, and are there plans to develop it further?
Y: We’ve had discussions about expanding it. But only if it feels like something that’ll grow organically.
I: The great thing about this show is that there will always be so much more to explore with its world and characters. So who knows we have in store!
What’s next for you and your collaborators after this production?
I: We have a new project in development that is in it’s very early stages right now. More on that very soon!
With You, runs 22nd - 26th April 2025, book here: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/with-you
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