Amy Lennox stars alongside Olive Gray in Spy for Spy – the world premiere of Kieron Barry’s innovative new two hander play.
Spy for Spy is a romantic comedy with a difference; a drama performed like a playlist. The inner workings of a modern relationship are recounted in a random order so no two performances of this brand-new play by Kieron Barry will be the same.
Spy for Spy opens at Riverside Studios this summer, playing the Hammersmith venue’s Studio 3 from Thursday 15 June to Sunday 2 July.
You’re starring in Spy for Spy at Riverside Studios, what can you tell us about this new play?
It’s a memory play – the memories of Sarah – recounting her moments with Molly spurred on by their couples playlist … and the audience will get to pick the order of the playlist each night.
By shuffling things each night it plays with the idea that memories and moments come to us not in a chronological order but at random – and that in a relationship, we don’t necessarily learn about one another in a linear way.
It will be really interesting for both the audience and us to see how the different order changes the ebb and flow of the piece.
What was it about Kieron Barry’s script that made you want to be a part of this production?
Kieron’s writing really jumped off the page for me. There’s such an interesting and bouncy dynamic between the two characters Sarah & Molly, and I found the mix tape format and concept intriguing .
The audience will create the structure each night, what challenges does that present and how are you preparing for it?
It means that scene changes will be different every night which probably makes me the most nervous. We are learning the play chronologically and timelining so by the time we know it inside out it should be ok shuffling up the scenes and with the help of having a specific song attached to each scene that will certainly help take us into each moment – but I’m still getting my head around what that means for props and changes …. Basically all the practical stuff … ask me again in a couple of weeks ?! 😉
It’s a two-hander, how are you and Olive Gray getting to know each other ahead of taking to the stage together.
Well as it’s a two hander, we are spending this week hanging out all day every day together fleshing out the script with Lucy our director and having a laugh whilst we do it – I think it’s fair to say we will know each pretty well by time we get to the opening night.
Tell us a little about your character, what are you enjoying most about the role?
Sarah is a lawyer from California – she’s a recovering alcoholic and has unexpectedly fallen for a younger, very contrasting free spirited woman named Molly. She’s for the most part a logical person, she’s smart and she’s sharp but struggles to let go and relax. Sarah and Molly are absolutely chalk and cheese.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Spy for Spy?
Come see this funny play! Support local theatre and new writing It’s exciting and it’s important. Anyone coming from far away will easily be able to get their train home – it’s straight through with no interval and the riverside studios is a gorgeous location to hang out for dinner or drinks pre or post show.
