In this interview, I had the great pleasure of doing an interview with co-writer Felix Grainger, about the upcoming production 'Gawain and the Green Knight'. He has shared insights into what audiences can expect from this show, as well as the inspiration and hard work behind bringing this show to life.
What first inspired you to take the medieval tale of Gawain and the Green Knight and drop it into the world of a modern-day office Christmas party?
Gawain and the Green Knight has always been one of my favourite Arthurian tales. It’s beautifully bizarre and the ‘main event’ of the beheading game the green knight brings to Camelot always stood out as particularly surreal, and this surrealism easily lends itself to a modern day setting. where else could you find a setting that so easily accepts such a crazy challenge than in the high intensity bravado of an office space. So we took this idea and ran with it and our production was born.
Why do you think Gawain and the Green Knight still resonates with audiences today?
Everyone has had a moment in their life where they believe they could be doing something... more. In Gawain this moment comes through a rather existential, green force, but for most of us it’s a new job, a new opportunity. Gawain and the Green Knight is an eternal story because it’s all about accepting that challenge and seeing where it takes you.
The show blends slapstick, satire, and myth. How do you strike that balance between parody and genuine storytelling?
As long as you find a human element to your story I think you can always tell a good tale, no matter how silly the journey. If people care about the characters you can put them in the craziest situations and hopefully audiences will go along with it. Gawain is such a human character and relatable in his work-life struggles that we hope people will be taken along with him.
There’s a clear thread of workplace absurdity running through the show. What was the most fun “office” trope to dramatize?
Definitely the overbearing start-up boss (Arthur) and the use of start-up lingo that permeates an office culture which, through the lens of an office trying to recapture some chivalric glory of the 13th century, gives us a lot of room to play! We’ve taken ‘stand ups’ and ‘quarterly reviews’ and moved them in a more arthurian realm.
Make It Beautiful is known for magical storytelling and comedy - what makes this show stand out from your other work?
This is our first out and out hero’s journey. We’ve got full liberty to totally throw ourselves into a classic quest story. We have medieval motifs, classic characters and have some of the most surreal, silly fun we’ve ever had in a show.
The production features a multi-roling cast of four — how does that shape the rhythm and energy of the show?
Every show Make It Beautiful has made includes elements of multi-roling. It’s become a staple element of our work that everyone will end up having at least 6 characters each. This shapes the pacing because it allows us a freedom to add in new characters that appear and disappear in an instant because we know that any free actor will be able to swiftly adopt a new role.
How did the co-writing process between yourself and Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson work in shaping both the humour and heart of the piece?
Gabe and I have written 5 plays together due to the fact that we work so well as a partnership. We both find each other funny; that’s the key. I can confidently say that Gabe is the funniest man I know and I hope I'm at least in his top ten, but getting to work with him is always a joy and a pleasure. We’ve also now had enough experience together that we know when best to pause the laughs and tug on the heartstrings. Hopefully Gawain has enough moments of both.
Can you tell us about the design — the set, costumes, and projections — and how they fuse the medieval and modern worlds?
We are lucky to be working with some incredible creatives to make the world of Gawain come alive! Simon Nicholas, our set designer, has managed to create a world that blends the modern and the mythical, you have to see it to believe it but somehow he’s made filing cabinets fascinating! Then in costume we’ve been lucky to work with Ciéranne Kennedy Bell who’s brought Arthurian chic into the modern age with some beautiful designs. Then there’s Kezia Tomsett working her magic with her sound score blending Lord of the Rings and yes, even Dubstep. We’ve got Caitlin MacGregor designing a colour palette to match our madness through the lights. And our director, Kelly Ann Stewart's visions have brought the play to life through her direction on stage. The team around us is our Camelot, none of this would be possible without them!
Gawain has always been one of the more human knights — earnest, flawed, and relatable. How does your version capture or reinvent that spirit?
In our version Gawain represents the archetypal everyman. He’s Jim from The Office with a hint of Frodo Baggins and a smattering of Walter Mitty. The world moves around him and he is left to deal with the consequences. In the chaos of Camelot Corp, Gawain stands out as being what we are all afraid of, but secretly dream, to be.. normal. And that’s what makes him particularly human in our script.
Beneath the comedy, Gawain and the Green Knight is about courage and self-discovery. What message do you hope audiences carry away amid the laughter and glitter?
I hope the audience realises that sometimes the biggest quest you can go on is just saying yes to a challenge, no matter how big or small. Once you’ve said that first yes, the world can take you anywhere. So say yes, and book your tickets to Gawain and the Green Knight at the Park Theatre.
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