We sat down with Natalie Durkin and Joe Tapper .
Natalie Durkin (she/her) is a queer, poly multidisciplinary artist and writer dedicated to authentic storytelling. She is an award winning comedian and has produced theatre festivals across the country. Acting credits include: Ellie (EXISTENTIAL FISH AND DREAD), 2 (ULTIMATUM), and Chicken (TWIX).
Joe Tapper (he/him) is a writer and creative who is passionate about making stories accessible. Originally from a working class, single-parent household, Joe completed an acting degree at Italia Conti. He is currently on the BML Course and has written for Aidan Sadler’s 5-star show, MELODY.www.dirksandtapper.com
Tell us about how Dirks and Tapper started
Natalie: We actually met working together at Italia Conti associates and bonded over our mutual geekiness when it comes to musical theatre. On our drives home we joked that we should write a show together.
Joe: I was so tired one day, just had nothing to give and Natalie told me she was going to book us a slot to pitch our musical for Beam Musical Showcase. I told her I couldn’t even think about anything and to come back to me.
Natalie: So I booked it there and then and kept asking Joe for details.
Joe: A few days later I checked in and realised we had to produce a 10 minute pitch in 3 weeks for Beam.
Natalie: We did it though!
Tell us about Polly: A 21st Century Rom-Com Musical?
Natalie: Polly is a story of what it takes to learn to love yourself. We’ve all been there. Polly knows she loves her boyfriend. And her girlfriend. But somehow the relationships are making her incredibly anxious.
Joe: We’ve written Polly to take you on a journey with her; to experience the orgasmic highs and heart-stopping lows. To tackle the audience’s perception of polyamory through one person’s journey to acceptance.
Natalie: As Musical Theatre aficionados, we’ve taken inspiration from all over the place. We’re exploring the inner workings of relationships, similar to Company, the feel-good rom-com vibes you might find in Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Joe: And, of course, there’s a few laughs and some farce too; think The Play That Goes Wrong
What made you want to tell this story?
Joe: We were both in polyamorous relationships and found it was sorely missing from the musical theatre canon. After discussing the creative potential of the idea over a few weeks, we realised the best way to combat this was to write it ourselves.
Natalie: The big thing we’re really passionate about is making sure our stories are accessible to those who might not immediately feel represented by our work.
How do you find the writing process?
Natalie: What’s really nice about the process is we both work differently but have the same passion and vision for the project. For example Joe loves the structure and the macro and I’m buried in the moment to moment, so that balance allows us to keep an even view of both. It’s very collaborative.
Joe: We have the usual struggles, we procrastinate if we don’t have a deadline, we both have other jobs because… cost of living crisis, Natalie has ADHD so gets distracted easily.
Do you have a favourite moment from the show that you can share?
Joe: Ah tough, this is almost an impossible question, I really can’t decide. If you forced an answer, right now it would be when Polly’s Mam has her say.
Natalie: I honestly have so many and it changes depending on my mood but today I’d have to say in Polly’s song Discover Me there’s a lyric which everytime leaves me a little shook.
“Spend your life strapped in another girl’s corset, / of course it’s not comfortable, it isn’t yours.”
When can we see Polly?
Joe: We’re currently deep in writing mode and have just confirmed a workshop in October so…watch this space.
Natalie: And of course, if you’re in the industry and interested in supporting the show, then drop us a line.