Preview: Beyond Therapy

Putting on a comedy was the priority for two main reasons. I believe the world needs a bit of comedy relief right now, so I wanted to help add a little giggling to the chaos of the world. But I also wanted to exercise my comedy muscles, so first listening to an audio recording of Beyond Therapy was a great way to begin that physical comedy mindset, completely uninfluenced. I also knew that I wanted it to be “fringe friendly” in similar or singular locations, and so Beyond Therapy began to tick a lot of my boxes.

Many! Dating and finding a partner. Sexuality. Mid 30s priorities and desires. Mental health. Seeking the correct help for you. Confronting fears. Jealousy. Even though it was written in the 1980s and we’re setting it in the 1990s, all of these themes are so relevant still to this day, which makes it even more appealing.

That the therapist to patient relationship is the most important part. I have heard it being described to be like a marriage in a way – because they should fit together like puzzle pieces. In Beyond Therapy we explore whether or not Charlotte and Stuart’s methods are conducive to their patients Bruce and Prudence. Have they outgrown them? Is it now in fact hindering their wellbeing journey?

We will show you characters that we hope will resonate in some way with everyone. You may not agree with what some of them say – and yet you might agree with all of it. But these characters will invite conversation and debate – which most well-written comedies cater for – laughter that’s based on truth from characters showcasing healthy ways to discuss uncomfortable topics.

Prudence (Shalvi Singh) is our protagonist and leading lady. Dear Prudence is unsure about which direction to go down as she  further enters her third decade. Having Dr. Stuart (Lucas Pidgeon) as her therapist isn’t much help, but his ability to speak some hard truths to her might be just what she needs. Bruce (Paolo Data), her romantic interest, finds himself in his own dilemma as he attempts to understand his own sexuality and what he wants from the next stage of his life.

Charlotte Wallace’s (Marysia Skwarka) guidance of Bruce through these rocky tides might not have the desired effects she was hoping for – but will her techniques benefit Bob (Gavin Donnellan) as he is reluctantly brought to her office, or will Andrew (Michael James) be just what the doctor ordered for Bob?

All will be revealed as we travel back to the 1990s for a hit of comic nostalgia!

This being my full length theatrical directorial debut since school has allowed me to bring together all of my previous work in one space – which has been so rewarding. Directing films gave me clarity and pace, whereas directing rehearsed readings gave me collaboration for example. Joys have been (like most creative industries) the escapism.

Challenges for us have always been scheduling, but while at drama school I learnt a phrase helped me overcome that: “To achieve great things all you need is a great idea and just not enough time.”

Funny. Whimsical. Needed.