RON is a new production being co-produced by Riverside Studios Productions and Ted Walliker. Following Tony Foot as he presents his latest stand-up show, he has something else on his mind. We had the opportunity to ask the creative behind this piece, Ted Walliker, some questions around the production.
The show asks “How far would you go to show someone you love them?”. What interested you in exploring love through this lens?
I definitely find the extremes of unrequited love interesting; why do people who do such desperate things which are unlike themselves in the pursuit of trying to make someone love them? What version of yourself do you become when you’re completely consumed by the idea of making one other person love you? Is it still you? It’s very intriguing to me!
What was the first image, idea or feeling that sparked RON?
It was actually a song. I had the chance to write some music for a short film whilst training at drama school and I wrote a piece of music which was completely tonally wrong for the film, but the music created such a clear idea of the ending of a story. I wondered what that story was and eventually RON started coming together.
RON explores a ‘genre-bending queer odyssey’, what does this mean for story and characters?
The idea of an odyssey I suppose is that it’s a winding story around some strange and surreal places, meeting strange and surreal people, all culminating in some profound personal discovery. I’m not saying that RON is exactly that, but the structure of RON follows that a bit in order to allow Tony to unravel the different parts of his mind.
How has this piece evolved throughout it’s development? Were there any challenges you were not anticipating?
We attempted something very ambitious, Lev and I, just making the show with the two of us overseeing everything. I think we assumed it would be challenging and it was! Something we didn’t anticipate was how difficult it can be to source exact sizes of theatre drapes without spending a fortune on hiring.
How has the creative process been as co-directors? Has this duel-perspective been helpful for developing an authentic show?
It’s been great. Lev and I work together very well: we’re different in a lot of fundamental ways and similar in equally core ways. Ultimately, the back and forth and dissecting the parts of the show has been massively valuable in maintaining a clarity of tone and feeling in the show.
Have you got a personal relation to being ‘the Ron person in the Ron place at the Ron time’? How has influenced the production?
Oh yes. For sure. I think I share a lot of similarities with Tony but what interested me when creating the character was pushing those things to places beyond what I’ve done or would do.
This story sounds powerful for audiences. What are you hoping the audience will take away from the play?
I’m afraid I’m a real stickler for not telling audiences what I hope they’ll take away or think. Don’t hate me! I hope you enjoy it, whatever you take away.
If you could describe ‘RON’ in one sentence, what would you say?
I promise you’ve not seen stand-up comedy like this (mostly because this is not stand-up).
RON runs at Riverside Studios from the 13th June – 5th July. Book your tickets now!
Many thanks to Ted Walliker for answering our questions. We look forward to visiting later this month!
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