What’s next after In Other Words? Are you working on any new projects? Getting out there and making your own work, being persistent and not waiting for it to ‘just happen’, is probably useful.
This is a hard one and I wonder what the best thing to do is. What piece of advice would you give to other emerging playwrights that are striving to get their work noticed? He’s turned it from a great piece of development work, to a proper show. He has designed the show as well, therefore, he really has control over creating that world for the audience. To what extent has Brotherton’s direction contributed to shape the performance? Has he highlighted insights about the play that you hadn’t taken into account whilst writing it? Luckily our team is brilliant and I have such confidence in Paul Brotherston – who is directing it – that this isn’t a problem. The issue could arise if I didn’t feel comfortable in stepping away from the play as a writer and just concentrating on acting. It means I’ve got a good understanding prior to rehearsals, which helps with the world of the story and with understanding the character. How does it feel to be acting out your own words? Do you think it brings any extra benefits or challenges?īoth, for sure. In addition to writing In Other Words, you’re also on stage playing Arthur, one of its two characters. This meant that we didn’t feel pressured to make something perfect but just to have a play. We had a sharing play to work towards but it wasn’t for the public. To have a week in such a great space, with such great people, was hugely constructive. Did this help to develop your piece and, if so, how? You have just concluded a residency at the Lyric Hammersmith, thanks to the Emerging Artists Programme. There is a scene where we dance to You make me feel so young and we just thought ‘this is all so good’! There’s lots of music in the show and it all follows the Sinatra/Swing vein. We had a moment in rehearsal yesterday, actually. In my opinion, there is rarely a situation that isn’t enhanced by a bit of music. I think music plays a huge part in my life (as it does with many people). How do you personally relate to music and what should audiences expect music-wise from this production? Music plays an important role in this story. As well as personal experience, there is such a wealth of documentary footage available, which has allowed me to understand things a bit more scientifically, as well as from a practical and emotional point of view. It was an incredible and totally inspirational to see these people come to life in that way. We would sing at the end of each session and some residents – who were seemingly unable to communicate, or were almost totally unresponsive – would stand and sing along to a familiar song from their past. It was such an incredibly eye opening experience. In my last year at University of Leeds, I facilitated ten weeks of sensory stimulation and music-based workshops in a dementia care home in Leeds. Is there a particular reason why you chose to focus on this topic? What have you discovered about the disease in the process of researching it for the show? They all are!ĭementia is a global issue that affects over 46 million people worldwide. It is a love story which explores the transformative power of music in life – particularly in relation to Alzheimer’s disease – through the couple’s connection to a particular Frank Sinatra song. In Other Words spans fifty years of Arthur and Jane’s relationship. Your debut play In Other Words has just opened at The Hope Theatre. In this interview, Seager shares the creative inspiration behind his work and his special relationship with music. In Other Words is a tender and long-lasting love story, which explores how music can help create coping mechanisms for patients with Alzheimer disease. Now, Seager is presenting the play at The Hope Theatre, where the playwright can also be seen on stage in the role of Arthur. Actor and playwright Matthew Seager is fresh from a residency at the Lyric Hammersmith, where – thanks to the Emerging Artists programme – he has had a chance to develop his debut play In Other Words.
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