Following on from Secrets, Reflex Theatre has revived their award-winning first production Call Me John for an April-May East Anglian Tour. I sat down with the creator of the production, Callan Durrant at Reflex Theatre, to explore what audiences can expect when visiting a local venue near you!
The story follows John as he shares his life with his grandson. As this is the revival, we were intrigued to know if the actors are also returning. Durrant was able to mention that both John and his grandson, Ashley, are returning actors to the stage. This will make the show incredibly special for both actors: allowing for a ‘nice warmthness’ for both of them.
Call Me John is the moving generational tale which is inspired by East Anglian stories. Whilst discussing the show and the real life inspired stories, it was important for the stories to ‘grounded in the experiences of the people who we are advocating for’ as discussed by Durrant, with the idea behind Call Me John being inspired by his own great grandfather. He continued to explain that they completed ‘workshops across all of East Anglia (to develop these stories). Some of those stories have gone into the show’. This showed the passion behind these projects, especially Call Me John, to be able to capture stories at their core and realness. This approach of real lived experiences is strongly carried into Call Me John: promoting real narratives.
With the show already having seen success in its previous run, this revival offers more than just a return. Whilst the performers are the same, the production itself has been updated. ‘The set has been upgraded’, Durrant shared, alongside changes to the script to reflect ’emerging trends… and making sure it is still a proper reflection of what feelings are, locally and nationally’. This authentic approach to storytelling continues to set Reflex Theatre apart: offering a unique experience for the audience. By updating and reviewing the show material, a blend of best practice is being put into place to tell the best story.
One feature of this revival in comparison to the original run is the focus on Ashley’s story, specifically expanding on his own personal journey. Durrant comments that the team have explored ‘how he evolves as a character… figuring out what his journey is’. This additional layer to the material aims to promote a closer connection to both Ashley and John, linking both of their stories together.
Despite being a two-person cast, the show feels full in its storytelling potential. After watching Secrets, we discussed the differences working with a smaller cast, in which Durrant discussed how it has allowed for more detail and closer collaboration. This highlights the importance of the material for production team and actors, allowing the show to create a genuine feeling it is striving for.
The play also touches on the idea of memory and legacy, particularly with the contrast between holding onto stories. When discussing the difference between being forgotten and being remembered, Durrant explained that ‘remembering is something that we want’, shifting the focus towards what is preserved rather than what is lost. With the continuation of modern developments, remembering these past stories is vital to maintain the heart of our culture. With Reflex Theatre, Call Me John will open audience members to the exploring their own thoughts and feelings about their past.
Call Me John starts the new revival tour in Aylsham on Thursday 30th April. With the incredible heart and passion put into this show, it is most certainly not something you want to miss!
Max
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