We to Play presents Rebel Rebel by Callum Murray at the Bread & Roses Theatre, 1 pm, 4 & 5 October. I have caught up with Callum to find out more

What was the inspiration behind your show?

I (Callum Murray) live less than a mile from the spot in East Sussex where rebel leader Jack Cade was captured and killed after his ultimately unsuccessful march on London at the head of a rebel army of 5,000 in 1450. After a first draft that focused on Jack Cade’s Rebellion alone, I decided to combine it with a second, modern climate change protest story, using the same three main characters, to explore the themes that remain common to all rebellions, even those separated by over 500 years.

How long has your production been in progress?

The play was written over a year ago, but has been developed over a period of several months, including performing two pivotal scenes at The Script’s The Thing Festival in Dorchester in May. The performances at the Bread & Roses will mark the premiere of the full-length play.

Where are planning on taking the play next?

We’re exploring possible venues in Kent and Sussex to perform the play (most of the 1450 rebels were from those two counties).

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

We’d like them to examine the motives of rebels, what drives them to go against the grain, and to appreciate the courage required to rebel when most rebellions fail and many end in bloodshed.

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

The response of the audience to two such disparate stories being woven together into something that (I hope) will make sense by the end of the play.

Why did you choose your particular Fringe venue?

We to Play performed another of my plays, Here Comes Your Ghost Again, there in April. We liked the space, we liked the people that run it and we liked the appreciative audiences.

Which shows at the Fringe are you planning on watching?

I don’t live locally (see above) but I’ve got tickets for The Silence of Snow: the Life of Patrick Hamilton. I’m a fan of Hamilton, especially his novel Hangover Square, and a play based on his somewhat tragic life should be great.

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

Only the usual ones: finding a venue etc. It’s never easy!

What other productions have you previously been involved with? Please attach any social media links that you have.

It’s all here: https://www.we-to-play.com/