Ben Everett Riley is bringing Thou Shalt Sit The F*** Down to the Lambeth Fringe this year and Ben took some time out to tell me more about his intriguingly titled show.

Vaulty Towers from 20-21^st October. I have caught up with Ben to find out more.

What was the inspiration behind your show?

Being a kid’s entertainer for over 6 years I have picked up so many stories and crazy events that I just need to share with the world, as well as an insight into how different classes live – I have been from council estates to tens of million pound mansions.

How long has your production been in progress?

It’s been in progress for several months now, although I have had the idea for well over a year now. Originally I wanted to write as a sitcom, and started with that, but before that happens I need to write the stage show, to focus my narrative.

Where are planning on taking the play next?

I want to get other theatres to come and see the show, so that it does more festivals and plays to other venues, before ideally heading to Edinburgh next year. In an ideal world, I would then start developing it into a TV sitcom, as there are so many different stories that can be had from all the experiences – there are far too many to write into just one show!

What would you like audiences to take away from your show?

For me it is important that we have a sense of fun, as well as taking away a new perception on a career not many truly know much about. There is also a taboo that richer parties make for better parties, but actually a lot of the time you can see the children who have the best time come from less financially well off backgrounds. In taking pictures to show everyone else how great their parties are, mega wealthy parents often forget to put their children’s wishes first. Plus there might be an extra something that audiences can take away too – you’ll have to come along to find out…

What are you looking forward to most about performing your show?

I cannot wait to share my anecdotes and to bring joy to people. The show is quirky and letting people into William’s world is always exciting!

Why did you choose your particular Fringe venue?

A quirky venue for a quirky show will 100% compliment my piece. Plus a more intimate setting helps me connect to the audience on a personal level.

Which shows at the Fringe are you planning on watching?

Well I am very excited because I am also appearing as an actor in The Jane Eyre Convention. Plus I am also so excited to watch In Plain Sight, Prostituting Pigeons and LadyLikes.

Have you had any major hurdles to overcome to get this production on the stage?

So far, I have been assembling my team, going to other scratch nights to perform extracts to keep it fresh, and working primarily on paying my team as properly as possible! I have also had to get a photographer very last minute for a very quick photoshoot ahead of promo going out!

What other productions have you previously been involved with?

I have been working on The Jane Eyre Convention (I did the scratch night for that back in May at the Bread and Roses, where it went down a storm), as well as BEAT (a web series currently airing on YouTube), I am the Bomb, Dangerous Games, Two Brewers Adult Panto, Warburtons’ current commercial, and Journey’s End.

https://lambethfringe.com/events/thou-shalt-sit-the-f-down

Instagram – tsstfd_show