As Yet Unnamed London Theatre Podcast
12-May-2013
With
T R P Watson, JohnnyFox, Phil from the West End Whingers, and Gareth James
Plays Discussed:
Travels with My Aunt – Menier Chocolate Factory [00:12]
Desperately Seeking The Exit – Leicester Square Theatre [09:00]
The Play That Goes Wrong – Trafalgar Studios 2 [24:50]
The Universal Machine – New Diorama Theatre [29:22]
As Yet Unnamed London Theatre Podcast
12-May-2013
With
T R P Watson – http://www.londontheatregoer.com
JohnnyFox – http://www.johnnyfoxlondon.blogspot.com/
Phil from the West End Whingers – http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com
Gareth James – http://garethjames.wordpress.com/
Plays Discussed
Travels with My Aunt – Menier Chocolate Factory [00:12]
https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Desperately Seeking The Exit – Leicester Square Theatre [09:00]
http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873490457/events
The Play That Goes Wrong – Trafalgar Studios 2 [24:50]
http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-play-that-goes-wrong/trafalgar-studios/
The Universal Machine – New Diorama Theatre [29:22]
http://newdiorama.com/whats-on/the-universal-machine
Reviews
The Hothouse – Trafalgar Studios
Guardian review
Independent review
Telegraph review
Evening Standard review
TimeOut review
Travels with My Aunt – Menier Chocolate Factory
Guardian review
Evening Standard review
TimeOut review
The Match Box – Tricycle Theatre
Guardian review
Evening Standard review
TimeOut review
Passion Play – Duke of York’s Theatre
Guardian review
Independent review
Telegraph review
Evening Standard review
TimeOut review
Click Here to Play Travels with My Aunt, Desperately Seeking The Exit, The Play That Goes Wrong and The Universal Machine AYULTP #120 12-MAY-2013
Thanks, gents. This was really great to listen to.
Exit has actually evolved even more since press night 3+ weeks ago and it’s due in large part to observing how a London audience responds to the show. Having performed what is essentially the same “script” in NY, Hollywood, Florida, Adelaide and Edinburgh over the past year, the challenge is to always make the material universal in some way, in the moment, and to connect with the audience.
I’ve realized that the “dated” material is only so because this is the tale of a story that took place in 2005-2007 – and boy have times changed since then! So now, I constantly remind the audience of that year – even how Mexican food establishments didn’t really exist in large numbers in London like it does now.
Johnny says that I seem to blame everyone in sight while Phil says that I do take responsibility. Blame? That has never changed in the show as it’s completely true. I can’t blame because it’s too hard to pinpoint. And I wouldn’t even admit to blaming since I truthfully cannot (and do not) place the blame on any one person. I say that collectively we failed and that is true. And I also say 3 times that I blamed myself.
Disclosure: As for the “losing my place” – ask anyone who has seen the show over almost 90 performances on 3 continents and they will say they saw the same thing happen. It’s completely part of the act and directed so. It happens in a different place every night and sometimes more than once. It’s fake. Director, John Clancy and I set out to tell this bloody tale as if it were indeed being told to a new mate in a pub. Over drinks. My Magners is water. And I sometimes “ask” the stage manager where I am … sometimes the audience … and sometimes I even pull out cards to see where I am. I’m glad it was believable, but I can see how a critical eye could construe it as not polished; but I do this show for the regular theatre-goer and not for the critic. I must. The regulars come every night – OY! And they like to feel like they were at that one show where Pete forgot where he was!
Gareth, I am terribly sorry that you invested your money and trust into the show and lost it – and I’m very clear in literally expressing that in EXIT for all the producers and investors. But, as we collectively know as investors, artists, and even audience members who pay to see shows, theatre is a gamble. The producers gambled on the idea and me. I gambled as well with my reputation and time. We all do. We just have to hope that at some point we win. And although EXIT has won many people over, it hasn’t made me a dime. I know I won’t make money off of this show, but I’m happy to hear on this podcast that I am considered a good writer – and I do have a pretty huge sense of humor about myself and life.
Who knows where this show will lead. Perhaps nowhere. But EXIT is finding the right audience whether I am playing to 10 or 60. It’s a gamble, too.
I truly thank you all for taking the time to see, blog, review and chat about the show. I do hope it is entertaining and even inspiring in some way to whomever sees it. And EXIT has sparked a new interest in the musical itself – so who knows? Maybe SUSAN will live again.
Much Love and Respect to you all,
Pete
(PS- Monday is the final show, and Sunday will have a post-show Q&A with members of the original cast … but a shorter, tigher version with built-in audience Q&A will be in Edinburgh all month again this summer. And yes. It’s free. Just like dreaming.)