Vaneeka Dadhria stars in The Ballad of St John’s Car Park from renowned Medway-based theatre company Icon Theatre, who celebrate their twentieth anniversary this year.
Set at a Karaoke night, this important immersive and site-specific production celebrates true stories of community activism in Medway, from the protested closure of Chatham’s Dockyard in 1984 to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. The production is created and performed by a professional cast and creative team and features a community ensemble of over 100 performers.
The Ballad of St John’s Car Park, starring Vaneeka Dadhria, runs 5th to 8th October. More information can be found here
You’re appearing in The Ballad of St John’s Car Park, what can you tell us about the show?
This is a show that will connect with the many people of Medway and beyond. We highlight issues that people are facing, and have faced past and present. We talk about the power of protest from different angles and the importance it brings. It’s an immersive piece, so the audience will feel more connected than ever. With projection, music and dancing involved, this is not only a piece that will educate the audience members, but be visually exciting and enjoyable to experience.
Icon Theatre are celebrating their 20th anniversary with this production, what has impressed you the most so far about the team?
Where do I start? Such an amazing, talented, down to earth team, who have all welcomed me with open arms. Working on a show can be extremely stressful and tiring for all involved. I admire the composure and reassurance that the team gives to each other as well as us actors to ensure rehearsals run smoothly and we all feel comfortable. That’s what makes a great show.
You’ll be performing alongside members of local community groups, how will you support them and what do you think you can learn from them?
Working alongside the community cast so far has been a real joy. There are quite a few members all together so it has been great working in a creative environment with so many people. We have all been supporting each other, from the singing parts to the dance routines. There are some older members in the community cast who have been part of the creative industry for many years, so it has been great listening to their stories and taking in some advice!
How well do you think the script reflects the issues faced by these local communities?
The script reflects the issues faced by so many people, including the local communities.
The advantage of creating a devised show is that each individual has a huge input into their character and what they portray and say. Therefore, each character highlights real issues faced by not only themselves, but many other people who have experienced the same things.
It’s an immersive and site specific show, what do you enjoy, and also find challenging about a show like this?
The enjoyment that comes with an immersive piece is the connection you can create with the audience. They are right there on stage with you. It’s such a great feeling. They don’t know what to expect next. On the other hand, it can be challenging. As an actor you need to keep vigilant on stage, and always be prepared to improvise in case things do not go to plan.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see The Ballad of St John’s Car Park?
Book it! You will not be disappointed. Get ready to hear some real life stories and experiences. Who knows, you may just connect with them. But more than anything, get ready to laugh, smile and have a great time.
