Natasha Granger is the co-writer and performer of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 musical hit Scream Phone alongside Kerrie Thomason.
Directed by Tom Parry, the production opens at Soho Theatre on 29 October, with previews from 28 October, and runs until 30 October before embarking on a UK tour, visiting Birmingham, Guildford, Bristol, Bath, Leighton Buzzard, Cambridge and concluding in Brighton on 26 November. Full tour details can be found here.
Based on the retro classic game Dream Phone, Scream Phone will take you on a killer journey back to the ‘80s with an infectious soundtrack.
You’re bringing Scream Phone to Soho Theatre ahead of a UK Tour what can you tell us about the show?
Scream phone is the classic girly sleepover, talking about crushes, pillow fights and singing into hairbrushes, but when the large pink phone starts ringing things take a spooky turn. Think ‘Scream’ meets ‘Clueless’ with an 80s inspired soundtrack!
How did the production come about, what inspired you to write it?
‘Scream Phone’ all came about one night when me and Kerrie were staying in my childhood room drinking wine, and playing my favourite game as a kid; Dream Phone. For those who don’t know the game, it’s like Cluedo but instead of the lead piping there’s a giant pink phone, and instead of a murderer you’re working out who your crush is.
It is brilliant but also a little bit sinister, hence why we thought it would make a brilliant theme for a horror musical. We love old slasher films like Scream and Halloween, and find the tropes and clichés funny, so mixing that with a banging 80’s pop playlist was a winner for us!
Was it a challenge to create a new show after the success of your debut show, 2 Become 1?
Yes! We learnt so much writing and producing 2 Become 1 and had some amazing audiences, so we definitely felt pressure to build on this. Even though we’d had the idea for Scream Phone for a while, having the confidence to get writing again was difficult for us, this is where co-writing really helps though as we can bounce off each other and we find each other funny so that always helps ha!
Tell us a little more about Swipe Right Theatre and what its aims are?
Me and Kerrie met at university in Blackpool studying Musical Theatre and bonded over fancy dress nights, very cheap booze, and the garlic mayo at our local kebab shop. After we finished we would meet every year at the Edinburgh fringe and cram in as many shows as possible and that’s where we had the idea to create 2 Become 1. Our aim is to create silly, funny theatre that champions womxn’s voices, stories and talents.
You’re both co-writer and performer in Scream Phone, how do you balance both roles?
Having a great director you trust is key! Working with Tom Parry on Scream Phone has been just brilliant as me and Kerrie can just focus on the performance. Being a performer also helps the writing in a way, as we can write from the perspective of the characters.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see Scream Phone?
You are in for quite the (trick or) treat! But don’t just take our word for it – here’s a few of our favourite audience reviews from our run at Edinburgh Fringe 2019:
“Hilarious. Laughed from beginning to end. Great tunes and great singing from some talented performers” – Iain MacDougall
“These ladies are all SO talented. I was impressed by the comedy and the singing even before I realised they are also the writers. The show is exactly what I was from the fringe – pure entertainment!” Karen Kohl
“Loved this show. Spoof of all the horror films of my childhood but with a cracking soundtrack. The cast are fantastic and seem born for this type of show. Cannot recommend enough!” Pete B.
