Steph Darcey closes FreshFest at the Old Red Lion Theatre with her debut solo comedy show, Prototype.
When: 23-24 Feb, 8.30pm
Ticket link: https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/prototype
We asked Steph to tell us more!
Your political satire Prototype is closing the FreshFest festival this year. What’s the show about and why should folks come to see it?
Prototype tells the story of AMEXA: The Robot Politician and her journey into British politics. I play AMEXA, as well various other characters who populate her world.
Come along if you want see some character comedy, multi-rolling, clowning, oh and to laugh and/or cry about the state of politics and the erosion of democracies around the world.
What’s been the best thing about being part of FreshFest at the Old Red Lion this year?
It’s a more affordable way to produce new writing, so a big thanks to Medium Rare Productions & The Old Red Lion for that!
It’s also been fun meeting other theatre makers, learning from them, and seeing some of their work.
FreshFest is such a great way of finding new theatre, and it has been great to be part of that, both as a theatre maker and as an audience member.
Your character AMEXA is centre stage here. If she was PM, what would her key policy be?
I’m going to avoid answering that question, in true politician style, and say… come and see the show and you will find out. Maybe. Spoiler? Who knows how successful AMEXA will be.
You have a lot of content on TikTok – do you think theatre/comedy fans in younger generations have much shorter attention spans because of these platforms?
I’m no expert, but probably! There are people in my life who think they have shorter attention spans because of it. So anecdotally – yes? I don’t personally feel that effect from live comedy or theatre audiences though.
Social media in general continues to be a double edged sword. We all know the many dark sides. Including election interference- which my show ‘Prototype’ addresses.
On the other hand, there’s a huge book community on TikTok now. I guess reading is the ultimate antidote to short form TikTok! It would be great if Theatre was able harness that kind of TikTok momentum.
I’m a total TikTok newbie still. I’m working on reaching audiences who wouldn’t otherwise come to the theatre or see live comedy.
What’s next for you after Prototype?
There’s a record amount of elections around the world this year (50 apparently) including the UK & US elections, of course.
I’m hoping to get a longer run of Prototype, as well as satirise the absolute chaos that I imagine will ensue in the various upcoming election campaigns, with more sketches online.
I’d really like to help draw attention to disinformation in election campaigns with this work. I think 2024 is AMEXA’s year.