Traverse Breakthrough Writer, Lydia Sabatini, gives us insight into her writing practice and a taste of what's to come from the reading of her piece You Are Now Approaching Brackham-Under-Sea. Please Dive Carefully. as part of our 10 Questions interview.
1. What compels you as a writer?
The profound and varied moments you can create with words and, almost more so, without words. The things I want to see when I’m in a theatre but haven’t. The potential to connect with people.
2. What made you write You Are Now Approaching Brackham-Under-Sea. Please Dive Carefully and what are the themes of the play?
I’d say the main themes are community, friendship, and the climate crisis. I wanted to explore both a community and a friendship that had been eroded over time, and see what that does to the abilities of both to face up to a crisis. I was also interested in the role of the ‘left-behind seaside town’ in the English political psyche and the climate crisis as both a hyperlocal and global experience and trying to create something that draws all those elements together.
3. What was your starting point for writing the play and what sort of references and research did you draw upon?
The starting point was this underwater image I had in my head and an idea about two estranged friends coming back together during a flood. I did quite a lot of research, read books and articles about floods, buried landfills and ocean pollution, found videos online of seaside towns in their heyday.
4. How do you want audiences to feel having watched the show?
I’d love for them to feel something, that would be a win, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to dictate what that feeling should be. Creating space for an individual, subjective response to art is important to me. I hope this isn’t a play that tells people what to feel.
5. What has the development process for You Are Now Approaching Brackham-Under-Sea. Please Dive Carefully been like?
I received initial notes on the piece for a redraft from the Traverse team, then notes on the new draft from the director who I’m working on the R&Ds with (the wonderful Katherine Nesbitt).
Following that, I had an R&D day in London with actors which will inform the Edinburgh R&D, which will take place over two days and culminate in a public reading.
6. How have you found your experience within the Traverse Breakthrough Writers programme?
The Traverse really seemed to understand the script and be excited by it, wanting to make it the best it can be. Their notes have been really incisive and encouraging and everyone I’ve met from their creative team has been so supportive . It’s been a fantastic creative experience.
7. What are you looking forward to most about seeing You Are Now Approaching Brackham-Under-Sea. Please Dive Carefully on stage at The Traverse?
Putting the play in front of an audience and seeing their reactions as well as how the play changes when the characters are brought to life by actors.
8. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given as a writer?
Write what you want to and not what you think other people want – more often than not opportunities have come from pursuing my weirdest ideas and very specific fascinations, the ones that stick under your skin and get your heart racing, even if you don’t know if they have ‘broad appeal’.
9. In the event of a flood what five things would you want to save?
I’d love to list off some quirky sentimental objects or ancient family heirlooms but in reality I’m that boring practical person who would go for a phone, laptop, chargers, passports and a big warm coat.
10. What are your hopes for the future of your play You Are Now Approaching Brackham-Under-Sea. Please Dive Carefully, beyond its development within Traverse Breakthrough Writers?
Like probably all playwrights, my dream would be for the play to be produced!
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