In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Kyla Stroud and Hannah Sands, the co-writers and co-directors of the upcoming musical Public. With their theatre collective, Stroud & Notes, they have crafted an original production that explores themes of communication, connection, and the power of conversation. Set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, Public promises an electrifying pop rock experience.
According to Kyla Stroud, a founding member of Stroud & Notes, the collective aims to create “exciting and wholly original work” with a focus on queer narratives. Kyla explains, “Stroud & Notes currently consists of myself, my twin sister Natalie Stroud, Hannah Sands, and Olivia Zacharia.” The collective formed over a year ago, and their collaboration was driven by their shared passion for musical theatre and their commitment to creating inclusive and compelling stories.
Hannah Sands describes the genesis of Public as Kyla’s vision for a musical set in real-time, featuring four strangers trapped together in a gender-neutral bathroom. Hannah shares, “We wanted this show to focus on people and conversation, with intricate and complex discussions as the heart of it.” The musical aims to explore a range of topics, including gender, sexuality, class, social activism, and mental health, in an accessible and thought-provoking manner.
Reflecting on their remarkable progress within a short span, Kyla Stroud acknowledges, “I don’t think any of us really expected to have achieved so much so early on.” The collective’s success can be attributed to their unwavering passion, hard work, and a willingness to collaborate. Kyla adds, “We’ve managed to do a lot in a short space of time because of a whole lot of love and a lot of enthusiasm.” Stroud & Notes has actively sought opportunities and secured spaces, gaining recognition and support from organisations such as artsDepot and The Pleasance.
Winning the prestigious Charlie Hartill Fund has been a significant turning point for Stroud & Notes. Hannah Sands explains, “Even just the Charlie Hartill Fund has equipped an emerging company like ours with the stability to pay people properly and provide a solid foundation for the show’s success.” The financial support and recognition from the Fund have boosted their confidence and opened doors to future endeavours, including national tours and international showcases.
Hannah Sands passionately encapsulates the essence of Public in a compelling pitch, “Four strangers locked together in a gender-neutral bathroom for an hour. An electrifying pop rock musical celebrating people, communication, and connection.” Hannah emphasises that the show offers laughter, warmth, exceptional vocal performances, and thought-provoking moments. Kyla Stroud adds, “It’s a show where you’ll be laughing within the first two minutes. It’s funny, great, and has a lot of depth underneath.”
More information about Public can be found here.
