“Like Theatre Heaven”: Shipwrecked!

Acclaimed actor Nick Blake takes a break from amazing audiences as the fabulous fabulist Louis de Rougemont to tell drama on the waterfront all about what a “joyous experience” it is to work on Shipwrecked!.

DOTW: Please tell us about the story of Shipwrecked!

NB: Shipwrecked! is based on the story of Louis de Rougemont who became very famous worldwide when his life story was serialized in a magazine in 1898. His life was a breathtaking Boy’s Own adventure of shipwreck in the south seas, encounters with a giant octopus, deep sea turtles, courage in the face of adversity, marriage with an aboriginal princess, and rather too may acts of heroic bravery. Eventually his story wilted under scrutiny of experts and he was written off as a fraud. He was a resourceful man who made numerous failed attempts to restore his good name. He died penniless in the 1920s. To this day the truth or otherwise of his exploits is still debated.

DOTW: What are your thoughts on your character, Louis de Rougemont?

NB: I am very fond of this man! If, as is believed, his story is only partly true, then he is right up there as one of the great storytellers. He had a great zest for life, self belief and, despite being a real Victorian imperialist in his views, had genuine respect for the abilities of the Aborigines to survive in what seemed to him an unremittingly hostile environment. In the play he is recreated as a showman in the vaudevillian mould, a show off and charmer who underlines the truth of his narrative at every opportunity. I relish every moment I spend in his skin. I love how he uses gymnastics to impress people- I do the same.

Nick Blake

DOTW: The part of Louis is a huge role in this play – how did you prepare?

NB: First I made sure I was fit as a fiddle as I figured stamina would be needed. I do yoga on an almost daily basis and mix in a bit of pilates and swiss ball to keep myself in condition. Also this role features some acrobatics. Back in the day I was an acrobat, having trained at the National Circus School of France, so I was able to dust off a few of the less life-threatening moves for Louis to do. I had fears my brain would blow a gasket learning all the lines so I launched into that task weeks before the rehearsals and did so well I rehearsed without the book in hand which freed me up to interact with the other actors and work on the rapport with the audience (a row of empty chairs most of the time!).

DOTW: What was the rehearsal process like? How was it to work with director Peter Hambleton?

NB: Without trying to sound ingratiating it was a fabulous process. Peter was very rigorous about what was part of the world of the play and what was not. We settled on the idea that Louis has just bowled into town that afternoon, found a couple of people interested in performing at  Work and Income, may or may not have gained permission to use the stage at all and is whipping through the performance at speed so he can take the money and run. So there are no stage lights, no fancy sound systems, and a few random props that have to serve everything in the story. I believe the more restrictions you place on an idea the more imaginative the solutions are likely to be- so this approach is like theatre heaven to me.

DOTW: What can you tell us about your fellow cast members, Jackson Coe and Darlene Mohekey?

NB: These two are jaw-droppingly talented. Right from the auditions with them I knew they would be great playmates in this world. They bring effortless skill to the multiple roles they play. Shipwrecked! would be unbearable if people only had me to listen to all night. Darlene has vocal abilities like no-one I have ever met- and what she does in Shipwrecked! only scratches the surface. Jackson brings such soul to my dog Bruno that I am gutted when he dies each night.

 

Blake with co-stars Darlene Mohekey and Jackson Coe

DOTW: I understand that Gareth Farr composed the music for Shipwrecked! What do you think the music adds to the production?

NB: Gareth has enriched the style of the production very subtly by using the abilities that we each have on a range of instruments to create a range of atmospheres and haunting melodies. He taught Jackson and Darlene to play Balinese Gamelan and that is used to magical effect. He encourages creative exploration then shapes it very precisely. Though the style of the production is apparently simple, Gareth has woven musical motifs through it with great skill.

DOTW: Finally, what else should audiences know about Shipwrecked!?

NB: An audience member said it was a joyous experience and I can’t think of anything better than that.

Shipwrecked! is on at Circa until 25 September. To book tickets, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.

Truth VS Truthiness: Shipwrecked!

Fresh from directing the runaway success of last year’s comedy hit The 39 Steps – as well as the return season earlier this year – Peter Hambleton returns to Circa with Shipwrecked! Peter tells drama on the waterfront about his new show, “a big fat lie based on a true story.”

DOTW: What is the story of Shipwrecked?   

PH: “De Rougemont’s astounding story was first published in the London-based magazine wide World in 1898. There were still enough blank spots on the map into which a man of wit and invention could project his own fantasies, and he found a ready audience. The age of adventure had not died and its chroniclers could make fortunes … there were economically valid reasons for embroidering the truth. So what de Rougemont told weren’t lies as such, they were market-driven reality derivatives. In the end, de Rougemont’s tall tales brought him fleeting fame but a notable absence of riches. After a short career as a living curiosity in which he demonstrated, among other things, that you really can ride a giant turtle, he was reduced to selling matches on the streets of London and died in 1921.” (Taken from ‘Swiss Family Rougemont’ on http://strangeflowers.wordpress.com)

                  

DOTW: What was it about this play that made you want to direct it?

PH: Theatricality.  More and more I find I’m drawn to material that really only works in a theatrical context. By this I mean where an audience gathers to experience something that needs their imagination to be engaged, where they join with the performers and each other in this ritual, and the result is some kind of celebration of our common humanity.

DOTW: What is the most challenging part of directing this play?

PH: Responding with enough creativity to the challenge that Donald Margulies throws down for us - how can we stage a shipwreck with no special effects budget?

DOTW: What can you tell us about the cast?

PH: I can’t believe my luck – these three performers are simply amazing. Marvel at the inventiveness, charm and emotion that Nick Blake brings to Louis de Rougemont. Be dazzled by the mind-boggling talents of newcomers Darlene Mohekey and Jackson Coe – they play over two dozen different characters, play all the music and create the sound effects live – and even do their own lighting!

(top) Jackson Coe and Nick Blake. (bottom) Darlene Mohekey.

DOTW: I understand that Gareth Farr created the music for Shipwrecked!  What part does the music play in this production?

PH: Our sound design for this show is an eclectic mix of music specially composed by the fabulous Gareth Farr, with some other tunes you will recognize, plus a wacky range of sound effects - all sound being performed completely live by our three hugely talented actors. Gareth and I first worked together as composer and director on Shakespeare’s Pericles for Toi Whakaari/NZ Drama School some years ago, and it’s been a joy to collaborate again. Listen for the gorgeous theme tune he has written for Shipwrecked! - I guarantee you will be swept away by it!

DOTW: What can audiences expect from this production?

PH: FUN!

Shipwrecked! opens 28 August in Circa Two. To book tickets, call the Circa Box office at 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.