Plays at……Exeter Street Hall, Exeter Street, Brighton, Brighton Fringe 2018
Walking on stage with nothing planned, many might say, is a fool’s game. But never has it been more popular, with comedy improv troops adorning stages galore. Throw a rock during Brighton Fringe… you’ll likely hit a comedy improv troop!
What happens then, if you keep the humour, but throw in poignance, emotion, passion, sound-scapes and physical theatre? The answer is “You Can’t Watch This Play (Again)”, a show by Jonathan Brown, with music from the wonderful Dave Molz.
Brighton-born Jonathan has performed around the south-east since 2007, when he brought “Large Print Trash” ( Best Male Performer (nom), Brighton Fringe 2007). Since then he and theatre company Something Underground have racked up most of the available Brighton Fringe awards, including Best New Play, Best Male Performer, Best Female Performer.
Most of his shows come fully scripted and fully pre-rehearsed. So, why the departure?
Jonathan says, “My performance roots lay in the spontaneous Fool, who can speak the unspeakable and truth to power. Using text in performance is one of Something Underground’s strengths, and so to step out not knowing any lines whatsoever (the actor’s universal nightmare!) always feels rather idiotic and terrifying …like stepping off a high cliff. But once we take that step, we begin to inhabit a dreamworld where anything is possible. That sort of freedom is, for audiences alike, exhilarating, unpredictable and, I’ve been told, a rush!”
2018 marks Something Underground’s third Fringe playing at Prestonville area’s community venue, Exeter Street Hall. The hal, near Brighton Open Air Theatre, was bought via community share issue by myriad local members and, says Jonathan, “We love coming here. It’s slightly tucked away.. but a wonderfully flexible and evocative space, and the volunteers who run it are incredibly helpful, welcoming, and other commercial theatres/venues could really learn from their highly professional approach.
Jonathan also runs a course in Brighton and London called “Create Your Own One Person Show”, and in 2015 supported two graduates to present their pieces in the Fringe. One of them, “Moon Tales” by Kate Darach won an Argus Angel Award and praise galore. This year, Jonathan’s double-billing with & supporting graduate Sarah Hickingbottom with her sharp & timely piece “The Woman Who Conceived The Pill”,
“I know this is going to be a hit,” says Jonathan. The themes are so now, and as 60-70% of theatre audiences are women, this fascinating insight into the woman, who liberated women, is going to appeal… big time!”
And as for “You Can’t Watch This Play (Again)”… it seems, that as no two shows are the same, it is possible to see as many performances as you like, and still see completely different plays.
The two shows can be seen individually or there’s a discount deal to see both. See the Fringe listings for more information.
Company Website www.somethingunderground.co.uk: