Tell us about the show, Flies.
Flies by Charlie Josephine, is about seven young women, who are smart and self aware. They are isolated on a photoshoot set and are being closely watched and judged by the ominous male gaze. They have each other, though, and that feels really good.
Is it exciting to be in a show which directly challenges the male gaze?
It is so exciting. Sometimes when we are performing, I lock eyes with a man in the audience and I feel proper powerful. I’m finding it freeing to be able to not only have this conversation each night with an audience, but to be the one leading it – and, as our director Julia Head said, not be interrupted!
Of all the issues young women face, what are the key experiences as a cast member you have explored within the show?
The writing has a huge scope of the issues young women face today. Which is something I really love about the play – the nuances that come with attempting to operate under the male gaze. I’d say the three main experiences focused on are: how the male subconscious affects how they treat women, being sexualised from a young age and celebrating the strength that comes out of all that.
How do these represent a wider picture in todays climate? Do you think the themes in the show will resonate in the show?
It all accumulates I believe. There’s a line I really like in the play – “All the little everyday turns of phrases”. It all adds up and comes out uglier than anyone could’ve anticipated. It’s becomes existential, an issue everybody must aim to work against. I really hope there is at least one moment for an audience member to hear or see or feel something in the piece that stirs a conversation inside them – or makes them feel seen.
Do you feel that the narrative has been influenced by your real life experiences?
Charlie held sessions with young people where conversations with them were had about what it feels like to be seen suddenly. Therefore I always feels as though there’s a base of truth constantly, as I relate to a lot of the words.
What are the key elements of the book that have been kept in the show?
The biggest change I’d say is that Charlie and Julia have kept away from the details of the original Lord of The Flies, whilst retaining the bigger framework – what it means to be trapped, and to only have each other. In our Flies, there is a really special seven of us to hold one another. You’ll have to come along to see the show…
What do you hope people take away from Flies?
That it’s an everybody problem, not just a women problem. They didn’t create that mess! And that we all want a wider, more courageous and equal future – so let us do it together. I also hope that people of all ages, expressions and backgrounds, begin to feel how nuanced and unfinished this conversation is.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into theatre?
Ooooh how exciting. I can only speak from my experiences with it, so I would say try join any theatre groups, there are probably a couple of nearer to you than you realise. I went to The BRIT School, as did the rest of the cast, and that’s an amazing place to realise your artistic preferences early (sixth form), and meet people who also love talking about your favourite actors and cool plays on at the minute you can go to together.
What has hugely allowed me to see more of the London theatre world than I believe I would’ve had I not done this – is create my own pieces and get them on in front of an audience (paying or not paying). I love writing, and I am starting to direct – both of these ventures have been self led or with a friend with a similar attitude.
Flies is running at Shoreditch Town Hall from Wednesday 22nd February until Saturday 11th March.
Find out more about Boundless Theatre by checking out their website. You can keep up with their work by following them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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