Play: Squeak
Director: Asia Nerva-Culley
Writer: Francesca Mepham
Starring: Sophia Grilli, Will Meadows, Carol Morgan, Philip Gill
Squeak – A Rehearsed Reading
Who falls down the stairs whilst carrying their hamster’s cage? Lianne.
Lianne is angry that her boyfriend Dan is now spending more time with Squeak their hamster than her, mainly, because she is dead.
Dan is just angry.
Mandy and Roger mean well..
Squeak is romantic, tragic and kind of cute!
In a new exclusive interview for Blazing Minds, actress Carol Morgan talk about her role in the latest play from Francesca Mepham, Squeak, which will receive a rehearsed reading at the Drayton Arms Pub, Theatre and Kitchen on Tuesday 29th September at 7:30pm.
Q. You play Mandy in the upcoming play Squeak, which is holding a read-through at the Drayton Arms Pub, Theatre and Kitchen. What can audiences expect from the production?
A. The play illustrates how we deal with grief, loss and sadness using comedy and avoidance. A strange but typical cultural mix for something that is inevitable in life. I would hope the audience might re-evaluate why this is so uncomfortable.
The comedy of Mandy’s goals and coping mechanisms are familiar and funny.
Q. What first drew you to the script for Squeak, and what made you want to be part of this production?
A. The perception of the writer in dealing with harsh realities in an unsentimental amusing way.
Q. Can you tell us a little about your character, Mandy, and the role she plays within the story?
A. Mandy has had some hard knocks in life, dotes on her children especially her daughter Lianne. She has learnt to look out for herself and is ambitious but realistic with a strong optimism that is getting her through difficult times.
Q. What preparation did you do to portray the character?
A. I’ve lived with Mandy in my head for awhile now and she is ever evolving for me.
Q. Are there any aspects of Mandy’s personality that you see in yourself?
A. Her optimism is key to me.
Q. As rehearsals have progressed, has the way you portray Mandy changed from your original plans?
A. I don’t plan to portray I feed from the other characters and how they come across.
Q. Despite the play’s comedic elements, it also deals with themes of death and grief. Have you found any scenes particularly challenging to perform, either emotionally or from a technical perspective during rehearsals?
A. It s always a challenge when dealing with these types of subjects but since I have been involved with the play I have been to two funerals so these experiences feed into the character.
Q. What is it about Squeak that makes it different, and why do you think audiences should come and see it?
A. To me it feels very real and deals with story in a culturally typical way
Q. What do you hope audiences take away from the read through?
A. To explore their own feelings on sadness and loss
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. Not as yet but my optimism will carry me through to the next offer
Q. If someone was looking to get into acting, what advice would you give them?
A. Observe life in every detail
You can find out more about Carol Morgan’s projects on Spotlight and follow her on Instagram.
You can attend the rehearsed reading of Squeak at the Drayton Arms Pub, Theatre and Kitchen on Tuesday 29th September at 19:30hrs.
Tickets are available on the website here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
