Emmett and Stephanie are taking World Leader Pretend to the Lambeth Fringe this year and I have caught up with Emmett to find out more.

What was the inspiration behind your show?

We were originally on the lookout for a preexisting two hander, but as it turns out there aren’t all too many out there – and those that do are frequently for two men. After being unable to secure the play we had intended to do, we decided to take matters into our own hands and make a new piece of work. Our incredible writer Joe immediately took to the challenge, presenting us with four pitches essentially overnight. After discussing it through as a company, we decided to go with World Leader Pretend as it would allow us the opportunity to explore themes of intimacy, queerness, and the sexualisation of women through a political and societal lens. 

 

How long has your production been in progress?

Since February, though discussions had started a month or so prior

 

Where are planning on taking the play next?

This is currently our second iteration of WLP, having previously held a run at The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar in April. We like to think of WLP as an ever-evolving project. We were under tight time constraints during our initial run, and feel we didn’t get the opportunity to fully explore the main characters of Emory and Milona. With Lambeth, we’re bringing a new take, with new text and new direction. We want to keep this ball rolling with a plan for further fringe presentations, before once again putting on a full run of this new stage in the evolution of WLP.

 

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

Our main goal is of course to entertain our audience, at the end of the day WLP is a comedic satire. But the true core of our show is empathy. We want our audience to take the time to think about how things are presented to them, and how things can be twisted right in front of our eyes – how we sometimes need to take things with a pinch of salt since we’re not always granted the full picture. The themes we have throughout also shine a light on the discrepancies that can take place between a person’s private and public lives – and how we need to be able to find a balance between them without being too quick to judge or view someone a certain way. We hope our audience can leave WLP feeling more empowered in who they are, and the knowledge that within them is the ability to make the best of a bad situation. 

 

 

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

Stephanie: Having multiple characters and being able to experiment with different physicalities, voices, accents and mentalities. Sharing my work with friends and family, enriching our company’s community and reaching out to individuals we wouldn’t be able to reach out to on our own

Emmett: I’m really looking forward to seeing how WLP evolves and grows. Getting to be part of something that allows for reflection and then being able to apply that going forwards is a journey I’m excited to be part of. 

 

Why did you choose your particular Fringe venue?

Bread & Roses is what was offered to us; but this was very fine with us, as there are often intriguing shows there – and it’s exciting to add our own to the list. 

 

Which shows at the Fringe are you planning on watching?

Stephanie happens to be in another show on 7th October 7pm at Golden Goose called Between Strands.

We also plan on seeing Educating Rita and Washing Machine Vortex, for us to ✊represent✊ where we’re from. 

There will most like be others too..

 

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

We have had ourselves a fun little journey to get to our current stage. As mentioned earlier, WLP only came about due to being unable to secure a pre-existing play we had wanted to do, and failing to find any suitable alternatives. We were also originally intending and signed up for another fringe, but unfortunately due to logistical setbacks we had to press pause on that. Whilst this fringe is a go, we had the stumble of our original director having to step away due to personal reasons. Finding a new director to join us whilst ensuring they fit well with our vibe and vision was a bit of a worry, but we’re in sure and safe hands with Aisa 

 

What other productions have you previously been involved with?

WLP is Ample Aggression’s second full show, with our first show having been Pramkicker by

Sadie Hasler. Between the two, we have also put on a staged reading of new-work Faever Dream by Eve Lamb, as well as an Amply Aggressive Scratch. Stephanie and Emmett have also performed together in their graduating shows, a heartfelt showreel, and multiple fights

For more information please use the links below.

https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/

https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/ampleaggressionproductions?igsh=MTV5ZnN0dDNhYWZ0ZQ==