New show to be previewed in Beaconsfield before it heads to Edinburgh
12:00pm Friday 22nd June 2012 in What's On By Rebecca Cain
New show to be previewed in Beaconsfield before it heads to Edinburgh
A GROUP of High Wycombe actors are brimming with excitement as the tension mounts for the first show of a new musical penned and performed by themselves. VF Theatre presents the début production of 1,000 Suns: An American Afterlife at the Beacon Centre in Beaconsfield at the start of next month before taking it to Edinburgh. The cast speak to Rebecca Cain.
The actors from VF Theatre are young, enthusiastic and bursting with excitement about their new show.
It is described as a folk rock musical written by Joe Eason, Matthew Taylor and Rachel Phillips from VF Theatre, a new company which was formed in 2010. There is also a book by Joe, Hussnain Khalid and Michael Smith.
Joe, 20, said they started writing the show last July with rehearsals beginning in March.
He said: "We wanted it to be a group of young people because that is what we are.
"We wanted to do something that was exciting and about people changing."
And that is exactly what they did. 1,000 Suns is set in an alternate future where the American survivors of a nuclear war shelter are in a huge crater from the fallout that remains in the world above.
It features a group of young people who are struggling with their own identities, the harshness of the world and the ignorant authority of their elders.
Which has a similar theme to why they set up the theatre group in the first place.
Kirsten Obank, 19, who plays Hope in the new show, said: "We spent years in groups being told what to do by adults...'You can't do this because of health and safety...we felt a bit restricted."
And they have been amazed by the response they have had so far with great reviews to their début show, Spring Awakening and their performance of Romeo and Juliet last July.
She said: "People will support you way more than you think they will if you show them you are serious about it.
"It is weird to think we are going to Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This started out a few years ago as it came about in Joe's living room."
The show is going to be performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 6-11 at theSpace on North Bridge.
Other cast members include Stephanie Andrews Rojas, David Perkins and Joseph Scatley.
There are four in the ensemble and on in the swing.
Joe added: "It is about people changing. It is about people's struggles and overcoming the mistakes of the generation before."
But he said even though it is about young people it does not alienate an older audience.
Jamie Sansom was asked to direct the show which he said is both cool and scary at the same time. He works for the Wycombe Swan and has worked with them before at the theatre's youth project.
He said: "I was so scared. I was really honoured to be asked. I have been a massive supporter of VF Theatre.
"I was one of the adults that said about health and safety. I am going to join the other side.
"It is something exciting and new and fresh."
1,000 Suns: An American Afterlife is at The Beacon Centre, Beaconsfield on Saturday, July 7 at 7.30pm and Sunday, July 8 at 5.30pm. Tickets are £10 and £7 for students from 07963522301 or go to www.vfdrama.com.
