EDINBURGH 2023: MEMBER Q&A

BWW caught up with Ben Noble to chat about bringing Member to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about MEMBER.

MEMBER focuses on Corey, our protagonist, who sits by his son's bedside in a hospital - a victim of a gay hate crime.  When Corey starts reminiscing on his life, he goes back in time and recounts the major events that led him to where he is.    

Normally told as a solo work, this new UK Premiere production will also feature a live scoring each night by the extraordinary Simone Seales, a former Young Artist in Residence for Chamber Music Scotland and recently seen in Oh Mother for RashDash Theatre.

What was the inspiration for the piece?

In 2013, when Russia announced their anti-LGBTIQ propaganda law, I was angry, hurt and upset. The world felt like it took a giant step back in equality. In researching the issues that came out of that new law, and the hate crimes that were being committed I learnt about stories cemented in Australian History, where, not long ago, those views were in my own backyard, and potentially still are today.

In Sydney throughout the ‘70s - 90s, over 80 gay men lost their lives at the hands of violent roaming gangs (some with kids as young as 10 in their ranks).   

I asked friends and colleagues to write a response to that material, specifically relating to the case of Scott Johnson.  Scott Johnson's death in 1988 was dismissed by police as a suicide even though his wallet was missing and that he had everything to live for. His body was found below a spot above the cliffs at Manly where gay men were known to meet.  His family fought for justice ever since.   

Where we began and where we are now, feels like a world apart.  Some of the words you will hear are actual quotes. They are taken from testimonies or statements from victims or perpetrators. These cases are ongoing, and we have taken elements from all those cases to create this story here for the audience.

Why do you think it is an important story to tell?

We wanted to write a story about our past because of the similarities today.   

I was shocked more people didn’t know about these crimes.  And I think we are seeing similar stories throughout the world each day.  The voice and actions of the anti-queer movement presently is terrifying.   

These stories were swept aside at the time, and we need to remember those people we lost for being themselves and remind audiences how quickly actions can be repeated.       

Also, it was important for us and our UK company of queer artists that we wanted to reclaim the retelling of these stories so we can provoke a conversation about injustice.

Who would you like to come and see it?

Our play is for theatre lovers who thrive on storytelling and new writing.  The play has about 13 characters told by one actor.  And although some of the material can be tough to hear at times, the play is actually about love.  To the men we lost.   

Also, good theatre stays with you.  It creates a visceral response.   

This piece is one where audiences still stop and talk to me about their experience and memories of it and that is something special.   

What would you like audiences to take away from it?

For our audience –we invite them to Observe. Think. Discuss.

I want the audience to talk about it. Whether it’s amongst your group, or the wider community or just with a stranger at the bar after, I urge them to continue to talk about acceptance, acknowledgement, awareness and equality and never forget the people we have lost in the battle to get to where we are.

Tickets are available here: 

Photo credit: Luke Cadden

 

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