Eve Nicol shares what draws her to new writing, the rehearsal process for I Can Go Anywhere and her desert island disks as she responds to our 10 Questions.
Eve is a director and playwright from Glasgow, her recent productions include; The Drift (National Theatre of Scotland) and The Mistress Contact (Tron Theatre). She was also one of our featured playwrights for Breakfast Plays: The Future Is [...] at Traverse Festival 2019.
[3 minute read]
1. What compels you as a director?
Directing provides a legitimate reason to stare at people.
2. What attracted you to the story of I Can Go Anywhere?
The snap crackle pop of the characters' dialogue, the articulation of the ability of people-powered music to strengthen you and a story that features a character seeking asylum who is defined by more than just their suffering.
3. What are the themes of the play?
Heartbreak, identity, power and questions of ‘where are we going?’ and ‘what does it mean to be British anyway?'
4. What was your starting point for directing the play and what sort of references and research did you draw upon?
I had to do a deep dive into Mod culture of the 60s, 80s and 90s to make sure I wasn’t missing any of the references in Douglas’ text. Quadrophenia has been the Rosetta stone of the production.
5. What has the rehearsal process for I Can Go Anywhere looked like?
A collaborative, open joy from start to finish with the whole team wearing their hearts on their sleeves and bringing their best.
6. How familiar were you with Mod culture before starting work on the show?
I thought it was nothing more than a passing familiarity with Dee’s in Trongate but once you open up that Mod box, you can see how the scene has influenced so much of contemporary culture. There’s no escaping it.
7. How do you want audiences to feel having watched the show?
Exhausted, exhilarated and like they want to listen to their favourite song at top volume.
8. If you had to describe I Can Go Anywhere in 3 words, what would they be?
More than Mod.
9. What do you find particularly exciting and engaging about new writing?
At any moment in rehearsals entire scenes can be rewritten and you’ll never really know what you’ve made until you add the audience.
10. What are your top 5 desert island disks?
St Vincent’s Masseduction, Amanda Palmer’s Theatre is Evil, the piano versions of Masseducation and Theatre is Evil, and the soundtrack to The Sound of Music.
I Can Go Anywhere runs at the Traverse from Tue 10 - Sat 21 Dec