Caravan Tea Party opens Tuesday 25th August at the Etcetera Theatre, exploring Sophie as she nosedives into the merry land of make-believe. Learn more about what to expect:
1: What inspired you to create this show?
I wanted to place a Romany woman in the spotlight, free from stereotypes such as that of the femme fatale. Life can be hard, as are the pressures from family, tradition and modernity, but it’s not all oppression and marrying at 16. There’s beauty in searching to connect to one’s own heritage and culture in an individualistic way.
2: The show questions what it means to be Romany. What does this mean to you?
Honestly, I’m not sure; I guess I’m still figuring that out. This is all on my dad’s side, and on my mum’s I’m as English as they come. There are slurs for being mixed like this. Perhaps because it’s not all of who I am, I’m hunting for a way to understand and connect with it more thoroughly.
Right now, I think it means a love of aural personal histories, of how families maintain traditions against the backdrop of anti-gypsyism, with a certain resilience and pride. My Nan was a fortune teller, and I’m not sure how much I believe in it; however, when I get any sort of deja vu-type premonitions, I find I’m comforted.
3: What do you think audiences will find most intriguing about the production?
Perhaps how we explore memories as a way to understand and move toward a fuller understanding of a person and experience rather than spelling out what it is to be Romany like step 1 do this, step 2 that. Also, I’m a big fan of comedic relief and aimed to work that in as much as was appropriate.
4: Why is Sophie nosediving into make-believe in a coffee shop?
People often go travelling to find themselves; I placed Sophie in this Nicaraguan coffee shop because, ultimately, you can’t run from yourself. However far from home you travel, you’re always stuck with yourself, and that also means your memories and make-believe. Also, placing someone with Romany heritage against the backdrop of a more bougie, new-wave type of travelling was a way to question what is acceptable travelling and who decided that?
5: What do you hope audiences take away?
The ultimate goal is for people to be entertained through storytelling; if on top of that, people leave with a more empathetic and holistic view of Roma, further removed from certain stereotypes, then fantastic.
6: What has been the most enjoyable part about creating Caravan Tea Party?
Probably starting the rehearsal process; I’m an actor at heart, less so a writer, so getting it on its feet, working with Hannah, bouncing ideas off each other has felt like such a natural place to be. And working on puppet Louise’s final form has been utterly hilarious.
Caravan Tea Party opens Tuesday 25th August at the Etcetera Theatre. Many thanks to Lauren Derry for answering our questions. Book your tickets here!
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