Interview with Alistair Hall

Alistair Hall is the writer and star of Buggers, a powerful new psychodrama exploring the passionate, destructive relationship between celebrated artist Francis Bacon and his lover and muse George Dyer. Supported by the Estate of Francis Bacon, the production has been developed using rare archival access, offering an unusually intimate portrait of one of modern art's most mythologised relationships. Ahead of the show's world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe, Alistair discusses the extensive research behind the play, dramatising real lives, queer history, artistic obsession, and why this extraordinary story still resonates today.

Why do you think their relationship continues to fascinate audiences over fifty years later?

I think the greatest love stories are often the ones that don’t work out. I’m always so engrossed by relationship dramas that are full of push and pull, will they, won’t they? Francis Bacon was very selective when it came to his subjects and the portraits of George Dyer really pack an eternal punch.

They still hold so much power because the obsession, love, and total fascination is palpable. When Bacon met Dyer, he was becoming incredibly famous internationally. You can feel those turning points in the paintings.

How would you describe Buggers to someone who knows very little about Bacon or Dyer?

It’s a play about the troubled relationship between the painter Francis Bacon and his muse and long-term partner George Dyer. Presented as a triptych of scenes (in honour of one of Bacon’s signature ways of painting portraits) my play offers a warped, distorted but truthful interpretation of their

relationship - from beginning to end.

What themes were most important for you to explore through the play?

Class plays a huge role in the storytelling. Dyer is from a working-class background and is a Londoner through and through. Bacon didn’t grow up in the city and is from a very monied family, he lives a loud, creative life because he can. We also explore desire - both men lived a very out lifestyle but when they met homosexuality hadn’t been decriminalised. I was interested in the repression of that period and what that can do to the psyche.

The play is structured as a triptych, echoing Bacon's artwork. How did that influence the storytelling?

The echoes of Bacon is a really great way to look at Buggers. This isn’t a traditional biopic. I was really inspired by Bacon’s portraits of his subjects and how warped and distorted they are. They offer a

different approach to physical likeness and really offer the essence of the person. I wanted to do this with my play. I felt by using the triptych as a framework, that meant Bacon was in the foundations of

the piece but I had freedom to imagine these conversations between the two men and present my own portrait of their love.

What do you hope audiences leave thinking about after watching the production?

The best productions are the ones that leave me reflecting on my own life or the people in it. I hope Buggers does this to its audience. And I’d love for people who don’t know much about Bacon’s work to go and find ways of seeing his paintings, especially the portraits of Dyer. They are such a visceral piece of art history.

You were granted rare access to material from the Estate of Francis Bacon. What did that access reveal that books alone couldn't?

So much. Notes to Bacon from Dyer and vice versa, photographs that haven’t really been seen so much in books. I’m also playing Bacon so seeing his handwriting first-hand or seeing the lightbulb he so often painted was just priceless. I think it’s important when writing about or playing someone real to do as much research as possible before you start to form your own take on them and their world.

Was there a particular letter, photograph or archive item that fundamentally changed your understanding of Bacon or Dyer?

Yes, but I’ll be keeping it a secret because I haven’t really seen it circulated in books or online. It was something that unlocked a side of Bacon and Dyer I wasn’t expecting.

The play avoids presenting its central relationship as either romantic or heroic. Why was that important to you?

There are romantic elements to Buggers. It felt important that each of the three scenes had its own tone. There is a lot of darkness in the production but also so much electricity and flirtation between these men. So often the troubled aspect of their relationship is reflected on (naturally) but they were actually very in love with each other and we share that tenderness in the play.

What does Buggers say about power, dependency and love?

I try not to think about themes whilst writing. I don’t like to think of my plays as statements. I did a lot of research into this couple and then set myself free to write my own interpretation of their union.

Bacon is an artist and Dyer his muse, so of course power and dependency comes up but I hope, as it’s a relationship drama, that audiences will connect with their own themes and threads within the play.

What do you think modern audiences will recognise in this story despite it being set over fifty years ago?

I think it would be pretty difficult for audiences not to reflect on the idea of shame when it comes to identity and sexual desire. And how sadly, so much of that shame still lives on for so many people within the LGBTQ+ community because of political and cultural pressures. Both Bacon and Dyer really went for it when it comes to love and desire though. Neither tried to hide in the shadows. That’s important.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about bringing Buggers to the Edinburgh Fringe?

I am so very ready to get this play in front of an audience and discover who connects with it. I love bringing work to the Fringe - there’s no other ride quite like it.

Thank you so much to Alistair for taking the time to speak with me. Buggers plays at Pleasance Courtyard (Upstairs) from 5th–30th August (excluding 17th & 24th August) as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Tickets and further information are available via this link: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/buggers