Lucy Matthes and Charlotte D’Angelo bring their new show, I Really Want To Wring A Seagull’s Neck to Camden Fringe this month.
“A dark show with elements of comedy, this new-writing piece follows the one woman story of Ant during a 45min-1h performance.
Previously previewed at the Minotaur Shorts Festival in October 2024, now extended to a full 45-1h length for it’s London and Full Length debut.
I Really Want to Wring a Seagull’s Neck is one woman show, following Ant’s struggle through dark voices, moments of comedy and most importantly – wretched seagulls.”
Where: Aces and Eights
When: 18 – 20 Aug
Ticket link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/i-really-want-to-wring-a-seagulls-neck/
Charlotte tells us more about this production.
What is your show about and what inspired it?
There’s an old myth that seagulls carry the souls of dead sailors. Ant believes she is able to hear their thoughts… their dark and dirty thoughts. Nesting at her window one day, driven by disgust she kills a gull in the night.
Then she kills another, and another, and another. Her partner Gill starts to remind her of the gulls she hates so much and she has to come to a blurred, crazed decision.
As an independent young persons team, Seagulls is here to centre female-led stories and protagonists.
Opening conversations on coping difficulties with a more surrealist retelling around sexual assault, domestic violence and mental illness.
Why should someone come see your show and what might they expect?
Seagulls is Ant’s spontaneous confession to us on her desires and her hatreds.
Expect the dark, the funny, the vulnerable, murderous rage and joyful dance.
Tabitha Kenworthy manages to carry the balance of beautiful childish curiosity whilst holding out bloodied hands in entrancing focus. Despite your thoughts on seagulls, come for her breathtaking performance.
To see her flirt with Beethoven, recount maddening dreams – and choose whether she is the hero or villain of the story.
How did you make a start in the business?
I started my directing career studying Drama and creative Writing at UEA, where I met our writer Lucy Matthes on the same course.
I started directing my own work and others’ with Norwich based Minotaur Theatre Company, alongside a pursuit in learning tech.
Breaking into the amateur theatre scene outside of Norwich with ‘Disco Dick’ at the Edinburgh Fringe (Derek ‘’Spirit of the Fringe Award 2024) gave a taste into independently producing work and a scary amount of bravery.
Since moving to London, I’ve continued in directing courses with Guildhall and National Youth Theatre, taking on scratch nights and R&D workshops with UnionShorts and NoSuchTheatre.
It may not be a paid start, but definitely the right mix of creative projects in building myself as a director.
Do you have a favourite type of venue to work in?
As a young persons team, I am always for looking for other youth-run or centered organisations to try and support.
Not only give us the space to perform, but to give them the time and opportunity to learn amongst us.
It may not mean the most experienced or the tidiest of systems, but if they can take a chance on me in my early career I want to return the kindness.
A particular thanks for The Roundhouse Creative Studios, in focusing on helping the next generation of artists have the space and resources to explore.
What’s next for your show?
A break to fundraise and rest will be the first port of call for Seagulls.
Hopefully with enough support, I would love to opportunity to take the play to other Fringe Festivals – thinking Lambeth or Edinburgh.