“We'd like the audience to leave with a smile on their face and a spring in their step.”
Masterclass, by Brokentalkers & Adrienne Truscott, is a hilarious examination of gender and power, using the world of the arts as a metaphor. A parody of the ‘great male artist’, the play takes the form of a cockamamie masterclass performed by fed up feminist Adrienne Truscott, dressed up as a laughably macho playwright, alongside all around good guy Feidlim Cannon.
We caught up Behind the Scenes with co-writer and director Gary Keegan to find out more.
Where did the inspiration for Masterclass come from?
The inspiration for Masterclass came from a question Adrienne had about the power ‘Great Male Writers’ have over how, and by whom, their scripts are staged. Adrienne, Feidlim and I had been looking for a project to work on together for several years and this theme of power chimed with the kind of thing Feidlim and I like to make shows about. We were also drawn to how certain ‘great’ artists talk about themselves and their work. The pomposity... It's hilarious actually and, unintentionally, probably some of their best work.
How would you describe Masterclass in three words?
Sharp. Funny. Real.
Tell us more about what you’d like people to take away from Masterclass?
Certainly, we'd like the audience to leave with a smile on their face and a spring in their step, but also with a question about how we can challenge abusive and oppressive power systems. For me, I'd like the show to spark a dialogue between audience members who may vehemently disagree but who can also listen to each other's points of view. That's a rare thing nowadays.
What's the significance of bringing the show to Brighton Festival?
Feidlim and I studied in England and after 20 years of making work, this will be Brokentalkers’ English debut, so this is a special one for the company.
Anything else we should know about Masterclass?
There is a dance routine half-way through the show that features the theme tune to a much-loved 1980's darts-based TV quiz show. To find out which 1980's darts-based TV quiz show, you'll have to come to the show!
Masterclass, 12 & 13 May, Theatre Royal Brighton
Supported by Culture Ireland
A Co-Production with Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre & Mermaid Arts Centre. Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.