When I graduated in the summer I was thrilled that a brand new pub theatre was coming to Wales – the first permanent one in fact. But I was doubly excited, as it was to have director Kate Wasserberg at the helm.
I first heard of Kate in university, as she is a fellow Exeter University alumnus. She also developed the first play I directed out of university when she was at the Finborough. So when I had an email from the lovely Nicola Ireland (TOR’s Production Manager) the other week, asking if I would be interested in coming on board The Dying of Today team as assistant director I was overjoyed. I emailed back instantly and was in the rehearsal room later that day. And there I was, watching Kate in action on my first project as assistant director with a professional theatre company. If only it was on Blasted then my title would have been just that little bit more relevant.
The past fortnight has flown by. Full days of rehearsals and gallivanting off to Aberystwyth with Dirty Protest have knocked me for six; I’m tired and I am feeling the strain. But by God am I enjoying myself. Working over the past two weeks with two of the most exciting companies in Cardiff right now, has confirmed in me that theatre is where I belong. I can’t wait for those doors to open and you guys get to see the brilliant work that is going on in The Other Room.
As for the work, I think it’s safe to say that Howard Barker’s writing divides opinion. I myself have had very little contact with his work until now; in fact, in keeping with the title, this is the first Howard Barker play I have worked on. The Dying of Today is a play I can really get behind. I think it’s a fascinating play with some intriguing ideas. The text is, in my opinion, dense and a true challenge for an actor. Without even punctuation as a guide, the actors are having to work exceptionally hard to not only get their mouths around some of the lines, but to make sense of the tremendously fast-moving duologue. But the mighty Christian Patterson and the scarily intelligent Leander Deeny are more than up to the challenge. The play itself is based on a real event, but is in no way realistic; and Kate has embraced that in her interpretation of the play. I see the play as a concoction of ideas brought to you through an epic transaction between two VERY different characters. The work is sophisticated, the work is energetic and I am delighted to have been involved, all be it very slightly. We are now entering all guns blazing into production week and press night is on Thursday. I can’t wait to see what people think of it so make sure you get those tickets.
Dan Jones, Assistant Director on The Other Room’s The Dying of Today
The Dying of Today opens at The Other Room at Porter’s on Tuesday 24 March and runs until Saturday 11 April (performance days vary, please see website for details). For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.otherroomtheatre.com