Old Red Lion theatre is very much pitching itself as a theatre which revels in dark and twisted theatre. What is it about Old Red Lion that lends itself to that kind of theatre?

This building has a mood. It’s old. And the memories go back even further than the brickwork. Anyone who passes through the red curtain, and ascends those creaking stairs away from the noisy pub, is likely to feel that inexplicable atmosphere as you approach the old heavy wood doors into the theatre itself. I’ve spent so long in the space that I sometimes feel as I’m haunting it but I’ve still yet to figure out what gives it that unsettling edge… whatever it is really heightens a thriller, ghost story or skin-crawling dark drama. It’s not just a play; it’s a whole experience. 

How does The Sociable Plover fit the ethos of the theatre? Is it the story or/and the themes?

This play is dark – not only in terms of the dim dingy setting but it’s overall tone and narrative. It’s your classic thriller, almost Hitchcockian, with heavy strokes of black comedy and some utterly shocking revelations. The audience are drawn in to this claustrophobic space as witness to the rising suspicions & tensions of these two disparate men. There’s a reason this play proved a hit when originally staged here and it still packs the same punch today. 

What attracted you to the role of Roy Tunt?

Roy lives in a world of his own and I am definitely guilty of that myself on occasion. He’s old before his time and passionate to the point of self-isolation, quite literally in this case. Whilst I like to think I’m not such a social outcast I can certainly sympathise with his desire to retreat from reality with his hobbies and interests. Roy is a very well-realised character, packed with oddities and intricacies, offering a challenge but also a joy as I dig into those hidden layers of his person. His dialogue also offers moments of sheer hilarity in the midst of quite a tense drama and I can’t resist the more comedic parts. 

As the show is set in a hide and Roy Tunt is a twitcher, will audiences learn anything about birds?

Plenty. Roy is a walking encyclopaedia! Complete with the Latin names for swallow and ouzel, how chiff-chaff’s attract partners and even the collective noun for lapwing. I’ve been swatting up myself with an old Reader’s Digest book on British Birds which previously belonged to my late Grandad and am even using his old binoculars in the production.

It’s rather exciting to be directed by Christa Harris (Les Enfants Terrible, Back To The Future). How did that come about?

Christa and I met years ago as students at the University of Birmingham where we took part in various extracurricular productions. She has previously directed me in ‘Of Mice & Men’ plus new writing at the Midlands Arts Centre and even select scenes of Shakespeare performed on the streets of Coventry. Her career has really taken off since then and it’s easy to see why – I was grateful to work with her then and am incredibly lucky to be working with her again all this time later. Christa is such a grounded creative, with a sharp focus but a great sense of fun – she’s already brought so much to this twenty year old text which is sure make this an exciting revival. 

Old Red Lion often punches about its weight when it comes to set, lighting and sound. Which are the elements that are going to be important to The Sociable Plover?

We are on the Suffolk marshes in winter during a storm – creating that environment is vital to making this play work. After high praise for his technical flair in our previous production ‘Pilgrimage’ (Oct/Nov 2024) Benedict Esdale will be working his magic on the soundscape and lighting the space to make audiences feel they too are sheltering from the wilderness. They are in that hide with us, with the birds flocking around outside, with nowhere to run and ironically nowhere to hide. 

Now, a question about the holistic experience of coming to Old Red Lion. The pub has recently changed hands, and we wondered how you envisage any changes for audiences?

With the recent arrival of our new owners the focus has really shifted in this last month. Actors and audiences alike previously had to contend with the occasional football or rugby match in the pub downstairs but that seems unlikely to be the case moving forward. Sports are currently no longer being shown and the attention is now much more on the theatre itself. I think some regular audiences might sigh a breath of relief whilst others might miss the clash of cultures. Everyone is welcome at the Old Red Lion and we hope punters from all backgrounds will want to drink, relax and chat in our charming pub before and after each show they come to see. 

Finally, are audiences likely to need a pillow to hide behind or tissues for their tears? 

Neither. But I hope they have long fingers nails to nibble down on!