After a successful short run at the Phoenix Arts Club, Taylor Jay Productions returns with their production of [title of show], playing at the Southwark Playhouse from the 14th to 30th November. [title of show] follows the story of Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers who hear about a new musical theatre festival, but the deadline for submission is a mere three weeks away. Together the duo, with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Larry, make a pact to write up until the submission date, and on the journey they learn lessons about themselves as people, friends and artists.
Q) To begin with, please could you introduce yourself and tell us more about [title of show] and the character that you play?
A) My name is Jacob Fowler and I play Hunter in [title of show]. Hunter is the book writer of the two collaborators, the other being Jeff. The show follows the two of them writing the exact show you’re watching, to put forward for a musical theatre writing competition in NYC! It’s incredibly funny, stagey, and yet profoundly poignant at points.
Q) [title of show] is based on writers Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell’s experience of writing the titular musical. Are there any pressures of bringing Hunter’s character to life?
A) Although I am playing the actual guy who wrote the musical, which is a bizarre yet exciting position to be in, I don’t really feel any pressure to replicate his exact persona. I’ve never met him and there aren’t copious amounts of footage of him online, but his DNA is naturally in the script so it would be hard to not to somewhat become him!
Q) Have you had the opportunity to meet/communicate with Hunter, and has this given you a deeper understanding of creating or developing the character for the musical?
A) I have had a very small interaction with him on Instagram! He followed me back and I said what a pleasure it is to be bringing his character to life in the UK! He’s been nothing but supportive!
Q) What was it about this show that stood out to you and made you want to be involved?
A) I’ve never done anything like this. I’ve never done a purely comedy musical, and I’ve also never played a character that doesn’t have a romantic female interest, which will be very exciting to explore!
Q) [title of show] is based on two struggling writers who write and perform a show at a new musical theatre festival. If you could write your own musical right now, what would you want the story to be about?
A) Ooh, good question! I’d write a musical based on what goes on in drama schools… That would be fun! ;)
Q) Why should audiences come along to watch the show? And what do you hope audiences take away from [title of show]?
6. I think people should come and see [title of show] because I think it is the most you will belly-laugh in 90 minutes in a show that’s on right now. We are already having so much fun in rehearsals and it’s going to be STAGEY. If you like musical theatre as a genre, this is the show for you!
For more information, and to purchase tickets for [title of show], you can follow the link here.
Photography by @minnale_photography
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