EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- What Goes On In Front Of Closed Doors

Tell us about What Goes On In Front Of Closed Doors.

What Goes On In Front Of Closed Doors is a one-woman show that pieces together the story of Molly Brentwood, when at just nineteen years old she becomes homeless. It looks at one person's descent into homelessness due to the death of her mother, deteriorating mental health, and a lack of support.

The show is co-written and directed by Calum Finlay, co-written and performed by, myself, Emma Bentley, and includes Phil Hewitt, Anna Souter, Anna Beecher and Rebecca Gwyther as the rest of the team. The show follows joue le genre's exploration of major social issues- our previous show, To She or Not to She, looked at feminist approaches to Shakespeare and roles for women in the arts industry.

What sets it apart from other shows at the festival?

The show is set apart from others by telling the story of Molly, through whom we are hoping to promote awareness of issues faced such as bereavement, addiction, depression and the availability of social housing. With the Homeless Reduction Bill recently being passed in the House of Commons, I believe it is now more important than ever that we, as theatre makers, work to tell the personal stories of those most affected by the housing debate. We hope to promote awareness without 'preaching' to an audience, but rather getting them to empathize with Molly, and take steps to support those like her of their own accord.

The show is also set apart from other shows at the festival with its broad use of multimedia. Throughout the play we are using recorded clips as scenes, moments from Molly's past that she wants us to listen to, as well as live cameras and videos to aid the one-woman show.

What kind of research was done for the piece?

My research for the show has included a year volunteering for the homeless charity St Mungo's, work on a writing placement at Cardboard Citizens, and advice from young people's charity New Horizons. I have been inspired by the determination and resilience of the young people with whom I have worked despite the ongoing challenges they face, and I hope to embody this through the protagonist, Molly.

Do you think you know what to expect from the Fringe?

The majority of the team has done the Fringe before, so we have an idea of what we are in for. However, the Fringe is different every year and always brings about new experiences, as well as it being an entirely new show, which brings its own difficulties. Therefore, I am not sure we know exactly what to expect- we only think we do.

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

I would recommend that you should come see this show if you want to learn more about homeless, if you have been/are homeless, or if you work in the homeless sector and want to see your story represented on stage in an unapologetic way. You should come to the show if you have no idea about how you could get to that point when you lose your home.

If you like new writing that pushes the forms in a new way and are interested in seeing new ways that multi-media on stage can be used. If you want to see stories of young women from a non-middle class background, this is the show for you.

Timings and ticket information for What Goes On In Front Of Closed Doors can be found on the edfringe website.

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