Alix in Wundergarten will play at The Other Room at Porter’s from 1- 19 December.
Book your seat here
BACKSTAGE BANTER
We spoke to Franςois Pandolfo, actor, writer and co-founder of difficult|stage, to find out what makes him tick:
What are difficult|stage’s aspirations as a production company?
“To keep challenging ourselves as actors, directors and as a production company. We don’t want our work to be comfortable, because this is not a glamorous lifestyle or something we could make loads of money from; you have to want to do this because you’ve got something meaningful to say.”
Why did you pick Alice in Wonderland as the basis for the play?
“Because of its absurd, grotesque and nonsensical themes. In this piece, the concept of time is very present and its something Lewis Carroll is obsessed with. The bigger themes we touch upon are who are you, what makes you and where are you going, translated to the success and failures of being an actor.”
What’s your creative process like?
“We like to let go of the writing, hand it over to talented, bold performers and let them take it where they’d like. It needs to be a free, risky but trusting collaboration that starts with the performers and their personal experiences and not the script right away. We also like to have a laugh, of course, because how can we expect audiences to if we’re not?”
Are there any other Welsh theatre companies you admire?
“I love the work of Waking Exploits; they’re bold, committed and inspiring. A particular scene in their show NSFW coms to mind –it was a 10-minute silent scene where the character takes off her clothes, dresses and does her makeup while dancing to a Missy Elliot track.The director really committed to it and took the audience with him so they felt exactly as the character in that moment.”
The Other Room at Porter’s is all set to present its first Christmas play from 1-19 December.
difficult|stage, the theatre- pub’s new resident company, will perform Alix in Wundergarten, an alternative take on Lewis Carroll’s most celebrated book.
Set in a radio-recording studio, the play is a departure from traditional Christmas fare, promising a witty, offbeat perspective that is characteristic of difficult|stage’s oeuvre.
The company, founded by three young dramatists, is committed to bringing bold, experimental pieces to audiences in Wales.
“I hope this piece rocks the boat and divides people. It would be great if audiences either love it or hate it,” says Franςois Pandolfo, its writer and co-founder of difficult|stage.
The Other Room’s artistic director, Kate Fasserberg, is confident it will make an impact.
“Both satirising and celebrating the British tradition of the Christmas radio play, this piece will bite as it charms, and provoke our audience even as it makes them laugh until they cry,” she says.
Go down the rabbit hole with Francois Pandolfo:
Alix in Wundergarten will play at The Other Room at Porter’s from 1- 19 December.
Book your seat here
BACKSTAGE BANTER
We spoke to Franςois Pandolfo, actor, writer and co-founder of difficult|stage, to find out what makes him tick:
What are difficult|stage’s aspirations as a production company?
“To keep challenging ourselves as actors, directors and as a production company. We don’t want our work to be comfortable, because this is not a glamorous lifestyle or something we could make loads of money from; you have to want to do this because you’ve got something meaningful to say.”
Why did you pick Alice in Wonderland as the basis for the play?
“Because of its absurd, grotesque and nonsensical themes. In this piece, the concept of time is very present and its something Lewis Carroll is obsessed with. The bigger themes we touch upon are who are you, what makes you and where are you going, translated to the success and failures of being an actor.”
What’s your creative process like?
“We like to let go of the writing, hand it over to talented, bold performers and let them take it where they’d like. It needs to be a free, risky but trusting collaboration that starts with the performers and their personal experiences and not the script right away. We also like to have a laugh, of course, because how can we expect audiences to if we’re not?”
Are there any other Welsh theatre companies you admire?
“I love the work of Waking Exploits; they’re bold, committed and inspiring. A particular scene in their show NSFW coms to mind –it was a 10-minute silent scene where the character takes off her clothes, dresses and does her makeup while dancing to a Missy Elliot track.The director really committed to it and took the audience with him so they felt exactly as the character in that moment.”