TENDER NAPALM EXPLODES AT PLYMOUTH’S DRUM THEATRE
A man. A woman. They kiss. They scream. What is this thing . . . called love?
Tender Napalm, one of the most acclaimed London premieres of 2011 is about to ignite the imaginations of new audiences in Plymouth. 247 spoke to the show’s director, David Mercatali, who was nominated for 2011 Evening Standard most promising newcomer award, to ask what makes this show much more than just another love story.
Tell us about the play…
It’s concerned with a couple who suffer the loss of a child. As a response to that, or really just as a means of trying to survive and continue they develop a new means of communicating with each other. A new form of symbolic language that they use with each other.
And this changes the way they relate to each other? And the way that their relationship works?
That’s right. This way of relating to each other puts them in competition. Through their imaginations they form every thing from sea serpents to alternative cilvilisations but it’s all done through two people just facing each other and communicating with one another.
So we should expect elaborate staging and sets to showcase these other worlds then?
Oh no, the beauty of this play is there’s no mess . . . there’s no set. It’s just two people trying to get through to each other and passed their pain. Language is such a powerful thing and these characters use words as weapons. How we can use them to overcome pain but also to overcome others around us.
Quite a challenge for the actors then?
Oh yes, by its very nature the actors have to invest a great deal of themselves into the play. It’s one of those plays that really focus on the actors. They can’t hide behind elaborate costumes or sets so it all has to come from them. They read the script and then have to interpret what’s there but it has to have meaning to them. They can only make this real if they draw from a place from within themselves. They really get to push their boundaries as actors.
And in terms of the audiences, do you get very similar responses or does it varying between them?
I have to say reaction has always been very positive. Most people come out saying it was an experience that was very different for them but you’re right different audiences do respond to different aspects on different nights. One night and audience may react to some dark humour while on another night they just find it sad. It’s the light and shade of relationships I guess. People can read it however they want and they respond to what’s happening on the stage based on what’s going on in their lives and their relationships.
Tender Napalm is running until June 2, 2012 at The Drum, Plymouth. More info at www.theatreroyal.com
Words: Alan Butler
