We chatted to the playwright about the world premiere of his new play Jab, now playing at the Finborough Theatre.
Hi James, how did the idea for ‘Jab’ come about? During the COVID 19 pandemic, I returned home to rural Norfolk to isolate with my parents. My mother was an NHS worker who was out vaccinating and tasked with finding unused buildings to turn into emergency hospitals and morgues. My father, although high risk from COVID, was an anti-vaxxer who refused to carry on working, stayed at home, started drinking and struggled with my Mum’s power and purpose. The play is loosely based on how the pandemic impacted and changed their lives when they were forced into lockdown together and forced to confront the problems, flaws and fears they have individually and in their marriage.
What can audiences expect from the show? Audiences can expect a new black comedy drama, exploring power, gender, domestic violence, conspiracy theories, ignorance, and the limits of love. The play is funny, sad, pacey, punchy and playful with form. Whilst audiences can expect a hopefully well-observed personal two hander, they can also expect an expansive questioning state of the nation story about how the pandemic changed us all.
How does it feel to be having ‘Jab ‘ being performed at the Finborough Theatre? Oh I feel so excited and proud to have a play staged at The Finborough! It’s a world renowned new writing theatre, many of my playwriting heroes have had their works staged here and Finborough audiences are always so passionate about new writing.
What do you hope that audiences take away from ‘Jab’? As the play is loosely inspired by my mother’s experiences as an NHS worker, I hope the play helps audiences better understand how it felt to work in health care during COVID times. There have been so few stories exploring how we’ve all been changed by the pandemic. I hope Jab encourages everyone to reflect on how their relationships with themselves, their loved ones, their work, their local communities and the wider world have been impacted by the events of the last four years.
How does it feel to see ‘Jab’ come to the stage for the first time? As the play is inspired by personal and traumatic experiences, it feels deeply moving and cathartic to see the work staged for the first time. I also feel excitement to be working in such an iconic venue with such a stellar creative team led by director Scott Le Crass – such a thorough searching sensitive director – and actors Kacey Ainsworth and Liam Tobin, who are such insightful detailed magnetic performers. And I feel pride and hope in the fact that such negative lonely times led me to create something positive: a piece of live theatre that brings people together.
By Emma Clarendon
Jab continues to play at the Finborough Theatre until the 16th March.