Interview with Maria Telnikoff

Ahead of Eggs Aren’t That Easy To Make, I caught up with writer Maria Telnikoff to talk about the themes at the heart of the production, the creative journey behind it, and what audiences can look forward to when the lights go up.

What first sparked the idea for Eggs Aren’t That Easy To Make

I am really interested in family; it’s a big theme that runs through my work. I’m especially interested in non-heteronormative or nuclear families and representing them on the stage. As a queer person, I feel that there’s a real dearth of stories that represent queer parents, especially as main characters in their own stories (rather

than just quippy side characters). There aren’t many models to follow, as a queer, for what starting a family might look like. This feeling became the impetus for writing a play about queer family.

Your work often blends humour with emotional honesty. How did you strike that balance in this story?

I think I was careful that the humour in the play comes from the eccentricities and idiosyncrasies of the character rather than the situation they find themselves in (which is quite a normal one). I never wanted to turn the play into a satire but wanted to show the humour in these characters who are all trying to do their best and inevitably sometimes fail, but not through a lack of love. They’re all trying to communicate their love for each other in different ways.

The play centres around chosen family and friendship. Why was that theme important for you to explore?

I love plays about family. I loved watching movies about families as a kid (Cheaper by the Dozen was a fave) and was always so fascinated by other people’s families, the dynamics and their own language they create. My first play “My Dad Wears A Dress” came from a desire to show a family with a trans parent (inspired by my own

life) because I hadn’t seen that represented anywhere before. While there are a lot more queer stories in theatre now, I think the representation of queer families is still sorely lacking. We see queer people fall in love, but we don’t see them grow old together, start a family together, do something boring like furniture shopping together. Queer people need to see that this is possible now more than ever.

The rom-com genre is traditionally very heterosexual. What excited you about reclaiming that format for a queer story?

We all love a rom-com. We know what to expect. We also, crucially, know that everything will work out in the end, even when it seems like it won’t. I loved the idea of holding what can sometimes feel like quite a serious topic in the warm world of the rom-com. It doesn’t mean the stakes are lowered, it just means that we have a sense of hope guiding us through. Also, you’re right rom-coms are very heterosexual and are often presented to us as the norm or even the gold standard for love. I liked the idea of presenting this queer couple’s love as a “normal” love (if that even exists) and using the rom-com as a vessel for expressing that felt right.

IVF and fertility are rarely explored on stage, particularly from a queer perspective. What research went into writing the play?

A lot of research - I learnt a lot through the process of writing the play! I didn’t want the play itself to focus too much on the nitty gritty of the IVF as I think that’s a whole topic deserving of a play in of itself, but it was very important for me to get the facts right. I was particularly inspired by two books: “Small: On Motherhoods” by Claire Lynch and “The Other Mother” by comedian Jen Brister.

Big Sofa Theatre focuses on actor-led, character-driven storytelling. How does that influence your writing process?

The play has been completely defined by it. Characters have grown and been shaped according to the actors in the room. We’re so lucky to have such a talented and lovely bunch of humans working on the show who make this process a joy. I know that the writer-director Alexander Zeldin (among probably many notable others)

likes to adapt his writing according to what happens in the room. That really rhymes with me. If something works in the room, we keep it and if it doesn’t, it goes. I think it’s good not to be too precious as a writer. So many ideas for writing have been sparked by being in the room and I think that’s the best way to work.

You’re collaborating again with director Lauren Tranter. What makes that creative partnership work so well?

I trust Lauren implicitly. I also know that she is brilliant at both the creative, visionary side and the human side of bringing a show to life. This show has been a real collaboration from start to finish. It wouldn’t be the play it is without her. We started working on the script back in 2024 for a rehearsed reading at “A Pinch of Vault” and since then have crafted the show together. I think also, crucially, Lauren cares as much about this show and the topic of queer love as I do. That is the best feeling ever. To have someone to share this “baby” of a play with.

What was the biggest challenge in writing this piece?

The biggest challenge in writing this piece was probably finding the balance between tension and harmony between the characters. I wanted all the tension to come from different ways of communicating and expressing love, not because any of the characters are deficient in any way. I think keeping the balance of “the stakes are

high for these characters” and “they love each other, everyone wants the best for each other.”

If audiences could take away one idea or feeling from Eggs Aren’t That Easy To Make, what would you hope it is?

I don’t think that there’s one message, but I would like the audience to leave with a greater love for their friends, family and romantic partner/s (if you have them). I want you to hug your friend extra tight before saying goodbye and getting on the tube. I want you to call your mum and tell her you love her. I want us to remember that all

the love we need is already there. We just need to tend to it.

Eggs Aren’t That Easy To Make plays at Brixton House from the 30^th March to the 12^th April. Full information can be found via this link: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/whats-on/mE-eggs-arent-that-easy-to-make/

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