Ed Oulton’s play Barrier to Entry, directed by Hector Smith, is showing as part of Peckham Fringe on 10-11 May.
“Barrier to Entry is a gritty exploration of class, social expectations and the British education system, seen through the eyes of an individual frustrated with the cards he has been dealt in life, but still hopeful that he might make something of himself.”
Oulton, who also performs in the show, stopped by for a chat about the themes in Barrier to Entry and future plans.
Where: Peckham Theatre
When: 10-11 May, 7.30pm
Ticket link: https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/show/barrier-to-entry/
What’s the best thing about being part of Peckham Fringe?
To be honest how accessible it is as theatre. There’s so much variety in the line up, the tickets are cheap and most of the shows have sent out discount codes even further. We don’t care about the money, we just want people to come and have a good laugh.
You have written and are performing in Barrier to Entry. What gave you the idea to write this, and can you tell me a bit about the show?
The play is a rip-roaring, swearing, laugh out loud one man show about a scouser who’s frustrated with life and feels trapped. That’s an experience I grew up around.
I know the differences between the North and South because I’ve lived in both. I see where we differ and where we don’t. Hopefully this work sheds light on how Class, Education and Masculinity fit into that divide.
The play takes on the education system and toxic masculinity. With Andrew Tate and other figures gaining some prominence, does it feel particularly important to bring these issues into drama?
I think the reason behind those figures gaining popularity makes this important. Those figures prey on young, vulnerable and isolated men. My generation. My mates. But they can only do that because we don’t offer these young men an alternative.
Through excavating once such confused isolated young man who is searching for his purpose, hopefully we can find some common sense around how we can help young men in our society.
Do you think there is a regional divide in the way women are treated by men, and if so, do you have a feel for how this could change?
I definitely don’t have the authority to comment on this from the female perspective. Ultimately that is someone else’s story to tell.
I definitely think that there are large regional divides between London and the rest of the regions over major social issues.
The UK is larger than just London and it’s opinions vary widely throughout different regions. My experience is that London is very caught up in a bubble and many, especially in progressive spaces in the arts, don’t see the wider perspectives on topics such as masculinity, gender and class.
Until we can all hear each other out, we can’t come to consensus. Most of my work aims to address this.
What’s next after Peckham?
My new play ‘Bury your Brothers’ received £30,000 from ACE and a further £15,000 from various support in kind, including from the Liverpool Everyman.
We are developing this play alongside Barrier to Entry, and it will be shared with an invited audience at the Liverpool Playhouse and Bush Theatre in May.