Paul Keating returns to the Arcola Theatre this summer in the world premiere of Clive, a new play by Olivier and BAFTA Award-winning writer Michael Wynne. Directed by Lucy Bailey, the production reunites the creative team behind Kenny Morgan.
In Clive, Keating plays Thomas, a remote worker whose life begins to unravel as he becomes increasingly reliant on his only companion – a giant cactus named Clive. The play is a funny and poignant exploration of loneliness, technology, and the need for connection.
Clive runs from 30 July to 23 August 2025 at the Arcola Theatre. Tickets and more information are available at arcolatheatre.com.
You’re starring in Clive at Arcola Theatre – what can you tell us about the show?
Clive will be my third time working at the Arcola and my third time working with Lucy Bailey (following Kenny Morgan and Murder On the Orient Express). That’s a double win for me. Clive is a one-person show – the first time I’ve ever tackled something like this.
I’m feeling incredibly excited and a bit scared too. But Michael Wynne has created a really wonderful, funny story and with a gorgeous character for me to play – I couldn’t be in better hands with Lucy at the helm. I feel incredibly lucky to be working with them both.
The play explores themes of loneliness, connection, and the surreal comfort of unexpected friendships. What was your first reaction to the script?
It’s a queer story about Thomas – a nerdy man, who lives alone and is a bit stuck – working from his flat and fearful of the world outside his door and in some ways, fearful of the man he is. Like many people WFH he’s a bit isolated and finds it a challenge. The view outside his window and the lives he sees in the world beyond are the ideal way, not to engage in his own problems and issues.
There’s a lot of parallels between me and Thomas – I’m a massive techy geek, obsessed by gadgets and machines too. Anything that can run from an app on my iPhone gets me so excited… I grew up not confident in my sexuality and not wanting to be defined by being a gay man and nothing else. For me, it’s incredibly appealing to see someone a bit like me portrayed on stage. Add to the mix a cactus friend called Clive and it’s a weird and wonderful fairy story that I love.
I was immediately drawn to Thomas – his desire to please others and be good in this world. Trying to see the best in people and the difficult situations he faces. I feel people have changed since the pandemic – it feels much more of an effort to leave your home these days – maybe we’ve become a bit anti-social and agoraphobic since being cooped up for those long months. It’s too easy now to get everything delivered, meet people virtually on screen and even work alone in our jobs. I love the way Michael lets us into Thomas’s world – seeing a vulnerable man, doing his best against the odds and maintaining humour throughout.
You’re reuniting with director Lucy Bailey after your acclaimed performance in Kenny Morgan. What’s it like working together again?
Lucy is incredible. Even the first time we worked together, there was an ease – I felt more relaxed than I’ve ever felt with any director. I never feel like I’m saying the wrong thing, or making wrong choices. I feel completely free and able to play and be silly. She is only ever supportive and encouraging. I love that she has a wicked sense of humour, so there’s always room for laughter in the rehearsal room. Doing a play like Kenny Morgan, which was so dark and dramatic, we needed that relief.
Lucy is a real theatre animal, she understands the form and thinks really creatively – she’s brought together an incredible creative team to use sound, lights and design to make Clive a theatrically rich experience. To have her caring for Clive and nurturing me and the script since our first read-through, feels such a privilege – I know her production will be the best version of this play we could wish for. She gets Michael’s writing and the world he’s trying to show and she gets me.
Your character, Thomas, forms a bond with a giant cactus named Clive. How do you approach such a unique and symbolic relationship on stage?
Whether a character has a bond with another human, or an animal or in our case, a cactus – you have to believe in them. You have to believe they care and invest in the relationship. I treat Thomas’ relationship with Clive the same way I would any other character.
Play it for real and with all the commitment, emotion and sincerity I can. Some people talk to themselves, or their dog and sometimes their plants. It all helps them cope with what life throws at them. Reading Clive has made me laugh loads, but it’s also incredibly moving. Thomas’s loneliness makes his need to connect even stronger, so the stakes are high for him and make his connection to Clive all the more important.
Clive touches on the emotional impact of remote working and digital isolation. How do you think audiences will relate to these themes?
I think most audiences will relate to the play – our cities are wonderful but increasingly difficult to live in. It can be lonely and as you get older, it can feel harder to make new connections. The ability to work from home, does liberate some people and provide options, but it also massively isolates some.
We are social creatures and should be amongst others. Michael’s play brilliantly taps into how we are all living these days – meetings on Zoom, remote working and everything being delivered via apps – I’ve never seen a play that touches on this before – this dramatic shift in the way we are all living. I think it will really speak to people.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Clive?
I would say DO IT! First and foremost the Arcola is a wonderful theatre – we need to support our fringe theatres that are still struggling since the pandemic. The play is written by an incredible, funny BAFTA & Oliver Award-winning writer and directed by one of theatre’s greats – Lucy Bailey.
It’s around an hour long – so even our shortest attention spans can cope! You will laugh, you may cry, but I know you’ll be entertained – at a reasonable price too. I don’t want to be flying solo for the first time on stage without a wonderful full audience. So please book up. Support new writing and me!
Clive starring Paul Keating will get its world premiere at Arcola Theatre, 30 July – 23 August.