Gabrielle MacPherson is writer and performer of Minty Fresh Productions’ world première of Outside, directed by Karis Crimson.
The production will be performed live and streamed from The Space between 18 – 20 February 2021.
Tickets for Outside can be booked here.
Your new play, Outside, is streaming live from The Space, what can you tell us about it?
Outside is a thriller. Willa has never been out of the house on her own before and now after 30 years she finds herself in a witness protection suite. She locks herself and the audience in there and starts looking for evidence of her existence.
What inspired you to write Outside?
There is a serious lack of funding in support services for vulnerable children and due to this some young people are in unsafe environments with little support. Outside is a response to that, imagine if a child was left in a dangerous environment with only the contact of their family and they grow up with only what they read in books as their reference for the world but are yet to experience it for themselves! Outside explores what could happen if someone is left without support their whole lives.
You’ll also be performing the play, what made you decide to take on the role of Willa?
It is an exciting challenge! Willa is funny, strange and imaginative, she’s so much fun to play. It also means I get to explore things which is dark and unjust. One of the brilliant things about acting is learning about experiences far from your own even if they are difficult experiences. Willa has been through a lot but still find joy and laughter in the weirdest things, you have to meet her!
What’s the biggest challenge in creating a piece for a livestream audience?
The beautiful thing about theatre is the shared experience and atmosphere. We are so fortunate that Outside can still be performed from The Space. The experience of a livestreamed audience will be different, and we are paying close attention to create the hybrid of theatre over a screen. The team on Outside have experience in both theatre and screen so we are combining all our knowledge to make the best show possible.
What are you looking forward to most about getting back on stage?
I can’t wait to get back into a rehearsal room and, when we are ready, into the theatre. I have missed it so much over the last 10 months, as have so many people who work in the arts, so being able to do it safely again is fantastic!
I also get to work with a team of brilliant creatives to bring Willa’s unusual world to life and we get to invite people to experience it too! We are so excited!
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to watch Outside?
Willa will make you laugh, scared and ultimately question everything that appears before you. Outside isn’t for the faint hearted but the questions it raises need to be asked.
I may be biased, but book!
Outside written by and starring Gabrielle MacPherson streams from The Space 18th – 20th February 2021. Tickets are on sale here.
