Game-keeper turned poacher? Liam Rudden may be Entertainment Editor for the Edinburgh Evening News, but he also has decades’ experience as a writer and director for the stage–including the much-praised Killers on last year’s Fringe. He’s back this year with–among other things–Thief, his much-praised one-man play partly inspired by the life and work of Jean Genet.
Matt Robertson is quite a phenomenal actor. Incredibly commanding. He never does get naked on stage... Sailor does.
“Thief is a study of abuse. A exploration of how society creates its own monsters and then hides from its complicity. It also challenges the audiences to think about the transience of beauty. It's an emotional roller-coaster that will make you laugh, cry, and look away, as Sailor tells his all-too-human story. It's about one man’s humanity.”
What interested you about the character of Sailor and the world in which he lives?
“I wanted to get inside the head of a character that people will have preconceptions about... and to then twist those preconceptions, allowing Sailor to get into their heads. His world is a wonderfully dark place, where there are no rules. I like working in the landscape.”
Sailor is "naked" in more than one way; was it a challenge to find an actor to take on the role?
“Actors tend to be very matter of fact when it comes to stripping when a role requires it. Matt Robertson is quite a phenomenal actor. Incredibly commanding. He never does get naked on stage... Sailor does. The same applies to Stephen Humpage, who’s appearing on August 11.”
Are you pleased with the response to Thief so far–including a four star review from BroadwayBaby.com?
“The response has been quite over-whelming. Sometimes confused, but on the whole incredibly flattering.”
What else are you up to during August?
“Running between a handful of productions I am co-producing and trying to stay sane. I’ve directed Princess Pumpalot: The Farting Princess which runs at the New Town Theatre on George Street, and have written three shows also running in the same venue: Silence in Court, Conflict in Court and A Virgin’s Guide to Rocky Horror. I’ve also written And I Ran With The Gang: The Story of the Original Bay City Roller at Le Monde along the road. So, running between a handful of productions I am co-producing and trying to stay sane!”
http://www.broadwaybaby.com/shows/thief/699591
Twitter: @PlayThief
