Salvador Kent
Following last year’s Goodbye Postie, Deliverance Theatre, a vehicle for actor and playwright Alexander Artis returns with Halfway Home, penned by Artis and directed by the hugely exciting Chelsea Grace, who is perhaps best known for ‘Perfect Dead Girls’ to be revived at the Traverse this Autumn. A drama concerning addiction, brotherhood and the justice system Halfway Home promises to showcase Artis’s character focused, subtly political writing that is probing, gently funny and very Scottish. I sat down for a pixelated pint with Alex and Chelsea to ask about Family, Addiction and Scottishness…
You can catch Halfway Home at theSpaceUK (theSpace on the Mile, Space 3) from August 17-22 at 22.30. Tickets available from theSpaceUK Box Office.
Salvador: Hey team! Halfway Home discusses Addiction, Brotherhood, and confronting our mistakes. Did the story come first or the themes, and why have you decided to bring this proposition to the stage now?
Alex: I’ve had the idea for the play for a few years now. It was one of those one’s that you sit down, try to write and bin after a couple of days. I always wanted to write something that honoured the relationship between my brother and I. But in my usual way, it needed a social and political context to portray that. It was only when we went through some personal experiences related to the issues in the play where I had that moment of clairvoyance and knew the direction it would ultimately take.
Salvador: How have you found bringing the characters to life? What drew Alex to playing Davie?
Alex: It’s been great seeing these characters take shape. While Davie and Freddie had direct inspiration, it’s been particularly satisfying to see Laura’s character develop and grow through the rehearsal process. I didn’t want it to be another 2-1 split where the female character’s story feels muted, but through the work of Abbie and Chelsea, Laura really holds her own in the midst of chaotic tragedy.
I did feel compelled to portray Davie, not because of theatrical catharsis, but one hand, again I want to honour the wonderful relationship I have with my brother but on the other hand, I’m extremely passionate about the topics discussed, so it felt right to take on this role.
Chelsea: Laura is a very complex character and definitely one that I think a lot of women can relate to. She feels this pressure to put on a mask and be the caregiver, she feels she has to adopt responsibility in every area of her life and in a sense has lost touch with who she is. Abbie has been so gentle yet brave with handling Laura and really brought such light, shade and pathos to her. Claire and Alex were also very generous in allowing us to have the time and freedom to look at the script and adapt to how we can really amplify the message of what Laura stands for in the play which is sometimes it’s the people who look like they have everything together are also drowning.
Salvador: What will be the first thing the audience sees, feels, and hears as they enter the space?
Chelsea: When the audience enter the space they’ll be first thrown into a flashback where Davie is alone on stage consumed by Alchohol and his brother Freddie trying to help his but Davie not accepting of this. The stage will be bathed in blue flickering light to show the sadness and fragmented or broken elements of Davies past. This visual will be accompanied by an instrumental by Nine Inch Nails which is called “Hope We Can Again” which I think epitomises the message of this play which is people who feel lost, unsure just trying to hold on to elements of hope, whether that be for each other or themselves.
Salvador: How have you built the feeling of Dumfries and Galloway in the play? What about this part of the world has translated into the work?
Alex: I always enjoy bringing Dumfries and Galloway into my work. It’s an understated place, it lets its landscape and communities speak for themselves. It’s also a quiet place, so when things like Davie’s past come up, it’s hard to ignore, especially with Freddie’s work in the police, you see who you know more than you would care for in that profession.
Salvador: Tell us a little bit about the importance of Scottish work at the Fringe. Aside from your show, are there any other pieces of new Scottish Writing you’re excited to catch?
Alex: Probably an answer that most would expect, but Scottish theatre, and film for that matter, is not where it should be. Yes, this is a country stuffed full of talent, but without the means and guidance to see it flourish. The Scottish scene is flooded full of scratch nights and maybe’s instead of taking a bit of money for a bit of risk to put on something bloody brilliant. The majority of Scottish productions, like Halfway Home, will be funded by the kindness of family, friends and strangers, as well as graft at the day job, nights pouring over your writing and all your annual leave spent making a great play that isn’t a holiday, but leaves you more satisfied.
For Scottish writing, I have to absolutely say, Collateral Damage by Michael Johnson and Without Compromise Theatre is the top of my list. Michael and I while being fairly pally, have always maintained great respect for one another as writers and the topics we tackle. This year, with Collateral Damage, we’ve brought our subjects very close together, but we maintain our unique perspectives and tell our stories in ways the only way we can. In addition, I feel as though it goes without saying, but catching Prophets by Jack McGregor is an absolute must. He is the most exciting playwright in the Scottish scene and his style and repertoire only continues to grow and grow. With Xander Cowan featuring too, audiences are in for a delight in performance and storytelling.
Chelsea: Scottish work is a vital part of the Edinburgh Fringe, I love the culture and varied communities that the fringe has to offer but I feel that it’s some of the most exciting Scottish Theatre we get to see year round. It gives Scottish artists to showcase our work to the world which is pretty incredible. There are so many pieces of Scottish Theatre I’m excited to see this year, very excited to see Parasocial Activity, Witches Corner, Our Town needs a Nandos and of course the two other shows I’m working on, acting in We are all Florida Man and assistant directing on A Better Memory!
Salvador: With EdFringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Alex: Personally, I’m excited for a less stressful fringe than last year. I had a lot of performances and a lot of work to do, there wasn’t a day off. While I’m thankful for those opportunities, I’m very grateful to have Claire Co-producing with me, Chelsea directing and working with Connor and Abbie in a generous rehearsal room, making this a fringe that will be focused and fulfilling. I have the week off work for our run and I can’t wait to dive into the new writing and work being done right here in our backyard!
Chelsea: I’m excited to get inspired by other shows, I remember walking away from shows last year just so excited and wanting to create myself. And the extortionate but ever delicious street food.
Salvador: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind what would it be and why?
Chelsea: I’d say a blue raspberry Lucozade Sport. I’ve always associated Halfway Home with the colour blue, especially that shade. Also, it’s a drink that reminds me of my childhood, that you’d drink at sporting events or after school and makes me think of the brothers. It’s got a zing but it’s also quite sweet at the end of the day.
A reminder, you can catch Halfway Home at theSpaceUK (theSpace on the Mile, Space 3) from August 17-22 at 22.30. Tickets available from theSpaceUK Box Office.
Shay Mace
Pascol
