Windchimes opens Monday 10th August at the Hens and Chickens Theatre, exploring a relationship between two individuals at a garden party. Learn more about what to expect:
1: What inspired you to create Windchimes?
We wanted to create a piece that had an emphasis on loneliness. We are fresh out of drama school and we’ve been finding a world out of education to be quite daunting and so we wanted to create something to make sense of it. It also felt important for us to explore hope – how vital it is in those lonelier places but equally how toxic it can be for someone who is in denial, refusing to let go of it. We enjoy writing comedy together and after seeing ‘Relics’ at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, we understood the importance of highlighting a serious issue but weaving in those comic moments that are so vital for the story.
2: The show is set during a garden party. What is the best and worst part of attending a garden party?
100% the food makes or breaks a garden party! If it’s not a good spread, I’m going to bed. We feel very strongly about food, as you will see throughout the play. The worst part has to be how there is always a lack of seats. I’m not going to enjoy my stacked plate of food if I’m stood up awkwardly making small talk with strangers, waiting for a chair. I need to savour every moment.
3: The two characters grow closer to each other. Where do you see their bond going?
All we can say is they have a really unique relationship and have a wonderful sense of play that is often interrupted by other characters at the worst possible moments. As to where their relationship goes, we’re keeping our cards close to our chest!
4: What was the most challenging part of creating Windchimes?
We’ve never written something and acted in it before. Initially, we thought it would be easier to deliver lines that we had written, but once our characters were put into a room and interacting with the other actors, so much was explored that changed the original intentions. Learning to navigate and accept that change was definitely new territory for us.
5: What would you like audiences to take away from the show?
We would love to spark conversation after the show. One of our favourite things about seeing live theatre is the discussion you have afterwards, and sharing those moments and feelings created. Whether one person leaves laughing and another leaves crying, we would love to see what themes come up from everyone’s individual experience.
6: What has been the most enjoyable part about creating Windchimes
We have loved bringing our own work into the space, the script forever changing (much to our actors dismay!) allows us freedom to explore that is rare in the rehearsal room. Bouncing ideas off of each other and building on them with your friends creates such an exciting atmosphere which is hard to replicate.
Windchimes opens Monday 10th August at the Hens and Chickens Theatre. Many thanks to Joe Thorpe for answering our questions. Book your tickets here!
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