You’re the playwright behindDirty Peopleas well as an actor in the production.
Is it difficult to divorce yourself from the acting side of the equation when you’re writing a character onto the page?
Originally it was a little difficult. Particularly for the character I’m playing – I had a very specific horrible part of me, myself, that I wanted in there. Thankfully, Michael [Abercromby, director] has taken on the show in full force and brought out so many things I didn’t even know were in there, which has allowed me to become a bit more detached from the script, I think. Which is a good thing.
What can you tell us about James and Lucy, the two main characters of the play?
They’re not good. I’d say they’re pretty terrible people. I rewrote them quite a few times to make them an inkling more likeable, but the point isn’t really to like them, I suppose. One’s self-obsessed and neurotic, the other is bored and angry. The characters have a few differences, but the thing that connects them is a history of causing chaos through their own selfish acts. Typical 20-year-olds, hey?
How connected are the themes of the piece with the environment they’re set in, Sydney?
I wrote the piece with Sydney in mind, because I hate Sydney, but I love Sydney. And the love-hate thing comes across (I’m hoping) throughout the play. There are references to Sydney itself, ones that you may only get if you’re from Sydney. Really, it’s more of a comment on a generation, rather than a place. The themes aren’t specific to Sydney or Australia necessarily, but I’d say some of the comedy would resonate with Australians more than other places.
How closely have you worked with the director to realise your original concept?
I showed Michael the script when it was in its really early days – before he signed on as the director. I’ve seen his work before, both writing and directing, and trusted his judgement completely. He actually gave me some ideas for the writing itself, which have stuck for the final script. One of the things I’m most grateful for with working with Michael is the comedy he has not only realised, but also added to as well.
[Dirty People photo by Nick De Lorenzo]
Dirty PeoplerunsWednesday May 4 – Sunday May 8 at The Depot Theatre.
