The Flip Side explores the truth behind the screens of 20 somethings who have come from near and far to live in London. This play is an innovative new work developed during workshops with young people from Compass Collective and National Youth Theatre. We sat down with writer, Shireen Mula to discuss the upcoming production.
Shireen, what inspired you to explore the “bizarre customs and brutal rituals” of growing up in London today in The Flip Side? The play is a coming-of-age story created with young talents from National Youth Theatre and Compass Collective. How did this collaboration shape the storytelling?
The script is no longer about “bizarre customs/brutal rituals” so here is a rewrite of this question: How did your collaboration with El Henderson and this group of young actors shape the play?
Over three days El and I workshopped with the group. We explored questions including: what art excites you and why, what’s important to you, what don’t we talk about enough and when you were a child what did you think life would be like for you in your twenties? We played games, did a lot of improvising, some skill sharing and some dancing too. I listened a lot during these three days, made notes, took audio recordings as well as some photos. My job really was to listen to the voices of our wonderful group and make sure that the resulting script truly represented them and our three days together. The group and our time together largely impacted the script – they are the inspiration for it entirely. On the final day I pitched the group an idea. Luckily they liked it!
How does The Flip Side reflect the diverse experiences of young people, especially refugees and asylum seekers, growing up in London?
The vast range of lives and experiences represented in The Flip Side reflects the diversity of the group we co-created the piece with. The show intertwines the lives of five 20-somethings in London over one day from 5am – 5am. While some sleep others work the night shift. While some live with their parents others live in hostels. We meet people who have come from near and far to live in London, hear about topics that range from what they eat for breakfast to who they love and what keeps them up at night.
Eleanor Henderson is directing this production – what unique perspective does she bring to the story?
El is a brilliant workshop facilitate and director who brings a deep sense of care for the young people she works with. Her ability to make everyone in the group feel safe and provide a sense of belonging really was what allowed our group to come together so easily in such a short period of time. El always has the group and their experience at heart; ensuring that everyone is heard and pushing to ensure that everyone is given the best opportunity to showcase themselves both during the process and the resulting product. We also found out that El was the only one of us who actually grew up in London!
The title The Flip Side suggests looking at things from a different angle. What ‘flip side’ or hidden truths do you hope audiences take away from the show?
Without giving too much away… the play poses questions around isolation, work, and the cost of living in London by exposing the underbelly of the city in a surprising, authentic and thoughtful manner.
If you could sum up growing up in London today in one word or phrase, what would it be — and how does that energy pulse through your play?
“London is the route to so many possibilities and successes but also the cause of so many problems” – one of our group members said this during our time together. The play explores both the wonders and excesses of the city as well as the mundane and ordinary lives of its residents.
The Flip Side plays 16th and 17th July at the National Youth Theatre Workshop Theatre. Tickets are available here.