theatre feature
Wrights Write, Right? Sayan Kent
ThreeWeeks meets Fringe playwrights
One of our favourite things about the Festival is the sheer quantity of brand new plays, so we thought we’d go out and meet some of writers behind all this work. This time Sayan Kent.
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If there’s one debate that’s set to run and run, it’s the issue of ID cards versus Civil Liberties but Sayan Kent has imagined a world where that battle is already over and the country is run through a National Identity Database. Her satirical play ‘Another Paradise’ is set is a world where the computer is in control and it tells the story of five people whose lives are officially deleted. We spoke to Sayan about how she came to write the play and bring it up to the Festival.
TW : How and when did you start writing plays?
SK : I have been working as an actor in theatre for over twenty years and during that time I co-wrote many pieces, mainly musical theatre. But a few years ago I wrote my first solo piece; writing solo makes it completely mine, there is no compromise; it is about what I have to say.
TW : Who else has been involved in bringing this play to the Festival?
SK : The show is produced by Kali Theatre Company who encourage and nurture Asian women writers; I had been part of Kali for several years as a composer, actor and director and then my play was included in the Kali New Writing Festival. The company’s Artistic Director, Janet Steel, was inspired by it and asked to bring it to Edinburgh. It’s here as part of the InvAsian Festival which has allowed me to be part of a family of like minded souls.
TW : What inspired you to write this play?
SK : I started writing it two years ago, at the time when the question of ID cards was becoming a reality. I was fascinated by the notion of everyone’s personal details being on one computer database and the potential implications should it all go wrong. We are all becoming much more interested in our identity, whether it be physical, spiritual or emotional... how do you capture that on a database?
TW : What do you think it is about the Edinburgh Festival that makes so many people bring new plays?
SK : The Edinburgh Fringe is without doubt one of the best global opportunities to showcase new works to a discerning audience. And it gives us all a chance to mix, mingle and appreciate each other’s work.
TW : What are your hopes and fears for your play at the Fringe?
SK : From what I hear, not getting an audience is my biggest fear; in terms of success I hope that this entertaining production of ‘Another Paradise’ is recognised and enjoyed by a wide audience.
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clubWEST@Quintcentenary Hall, 3 - 24 Aug, 4.45pm (6.35pm), £12.00 (£9.00), fpp 206.
published: Aug-2008
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