Michael Cox speaks with the director of Rapture Theatre's tour of Gagarin Way.
Michael Cox: What initially attracted you to Gagarin Way?
Michael Emans: It’s so well written, combining humour and drama. It was a great choice for our 10th anniversary as it combines the possibility of touring, which we are passionate about, and is very Scottish in terms of the writing and the voice of the play.
MC: Did you see the original production?
ME: Yes I did.
MC: As a director, do you find yourself perhaps haunted by that initial production, or perhaps the play’s reputation?
ME: I wasn't haunted by it. Indeed, I felt that the original production, whilst good, focused too much on Eddie, and I feel that the play contains rich journeys for all the characters. I have tackled plays such as Hamlet and work by Miller and Pinter, so I have never been overly affected by a plays reputation.
MC: Have you had any contact with Gregory Burke about the play for this production?
ME: Yes, Greg has been in on rehearsals and has been very helpful and encouraging.
MC: The ideology of Socialism is a key component to the play. Can you speak to me a bit about the way it’s treated in the play?
ME: For me, it’s actually about identity and how people identify themselves by their political beliefs...how in effect they are "held prisoner" by their beliefs. It is also about how we define and promote ourselves, i.e. our "identity". It is often at odds by how other people perceive us.
MC: With all the recent economic problems, it seems Burke wrote the play in a completely different era. Do you think the play has perhaps changed in any way since it premiered, within interpretation or how it may be viewed by today’s audience?
ME: I feel that the play has stood the test of time and that, if anything, the play is more relevant.
MC: What about the characters? How real do you think the four characters are?
ME: Wow...what a question! All the characters are both realistic and have a symbolic or thematic impact on the play.
MC: How do you hope the audience perceives them?
ME: I hope the audience are engaged by the characters, the situation.Whether they find them sympathetic…well that’s for the audience. All I can do is present the characters as I see them and wait for the audience to make up their own mind.
MC: Perhaps this is a bit of a loaded question. Do you see Gagarin Way as a Scottish play or a British play?
ME: It’s definitely Scottish....but I feel that the play and its themes can be applied to any country.
MC: Has anything surprised you about the play in the rehearsal process?
ME: The rhythm of the text and the use of language and theatrical grammar such as beats, pauses, etc. It’s very Pinteresque or Pinter. Burkessy???
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