Get yourself comfy and get ready to chat all things stagey!

Hi Jez, how are you doing today? Thanks so much for chatting to Stage to Page! Would you mind introducing yourself to our readers and telling us how you first got into the industry?

A pleasure. Thanks for chatting. Your first question is one I feel gets more and more relevant as time goes on. We’re currently in a world where access to arts is under threat with subjects being removed from the curriculum and funding being cut. If you don’t come from a background where your family can afford to take you to the theatre your chances are diminishing. It’s something I’m really keen that we address – by providing opportunities for people of all ages to get involved, because for us theatre is for everyone. I was lucky enough to be taken to the theatre by my father, who was a massive fan, and also got immersed in various shows at school. When I was 18 drama schools were just starting to offer courses in Directing (not all of them by any means, it was rare). I toyed with taking one but ultimately settled on going to Hull University, where I felt I could get a real all-round knowledge of theatre. My time here was well spent, the department was phenomenally practical, with us young people running the building in a hive of activity. Every year we went to the Edinburgh Festival and it was in my last year there that I met a theatre company who took me under their wing as soon as I left university. I assistant directed, I company managed, I directed; I ended up with them for over a year until I was awarded a bursary for the RTYDS (Regional Theatre Young Director Award) and left to train at the Palace Theatre Watford. There I learned how a mid-large scale venue operated. I assisted on around six shows and got a main house show to direct at the end of it. From there I got an agent and jobs at regional theatres, all the way grafting on the Fringe with countless pieces of new writing and the occasional revival. 

Your show, Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 4, is back this May at the Park Theatre. For anyone that isn't familiar, can you tell us about the story and the premise of the show?

We run this show every two years as a vital fundraiser (we need to raise £600,000 every year on top of box office to stay afloat). It’s a fantastically fun way for both our audiences and our generous high-profile friends of stage and screen to support us. Essentially each time we write a murder mystery where the added element of surprise is that at every single performance a different star turns up with absolutely no prep and having never read the script (let alone had any rehearsal)! They are fitted with an earpiece and are fed their lines by someone off stage – and play the lead character in an otherwise fully rehearsed show, with a wonderful ensemble who guide them through to much comic effect.

As well as some incredible returning stars, there's a whole host of celebs making their Whodunnit debut. How does it feel to have so many brilliant people willing to participate in your production?

That’s right there’s people like Gillian Anderson and Adrian Dunbar who will have done all four plays; Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sandi Toksvig who will have done three, Emma Thompson and Jim Broadbent who are returning for their second go, and then total newbies including Michael Palin, Adjoa Andoh and Chris McCausland. It feels really exciting to be at the stage where people actively want to do one – and are up for recommending it to their friends too! We’re humbled by the amount of goodwill in the industry supporting us through this initiative.

It's said this time Whodunnit is back bigger and better than ever. What makes this iteration of Whodunnit different from previous shows?

Not only are there more performances – 63 this time, versus 19 on the first ever show – but this time we’re setting the show in the Wild West. So, whereas before we’ve had more Agatha Christie style stories with an Inspector at the heart, this time our star is to be the Sheriff, solving who robbed the stagecoach and killed one of the cowboys. The entire building is being turned into a truly immersive experience. The front doors are coming off their hinges and being replaced by saloon doors, there will be whisky barrels and hay bales around the place, with costumed actors playing out scenes and conversing with the patrons front of house. There’s a house band. There are some cabaret style table and chairs for those who want to be even more part of the action on stage – and those tickets, along with a few other selected seats, include access to The Last Chance Saloon (formerly our studio space) which will be kitted out with more live entertainment and faux gambling. There will be a dress up box and all sort of fun to be had. With themed drinks and food, we’re encouraging people to turn up early and enjoy the good ol’ Wild West ambience! 

My blog is called Stage to Page. But if you could turn any book, from page to stage, what would it be and why?

My life is consumed with reading plays – often 500 a year – so I rarely get time for books, and when I do they tend not to be fiction. I’ve recently read an autobiography which someone has asked me to turn into a one man show. Watch this space! 

And finally, why should people book tickets to see Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 4?

Because it’s a brilliant night out with a brilliant cause at its heart. You’ll see some of your favourite names thrown completely out of their comfort zones, with no script, no safety net, and plenty of surprises. With accessible ticket options including a weekly lottery and day-release standing tickets, there are plenty of ways to be part of it (and possibly spot an A-lister up close) without breaking the bank.

You can book tickets to Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 4, here.