A play inspired by real life experiences is returning for a tour of Norfolk and Suffolk venues.
We caught up with Reflex Theatre‘s Callan Durrant to find out more about Call Me John, which is touring across East Anglia from 30 April to 16 May.
What’s the play about? What can audiences expect?
Call Me John is inspired by the real life story of Alfred John Ashley Ridgeon, an East Anglian man who was very worried about being forgotten so decided to write down his life story. This play is a dramatisation of him exploring his memories and his traumas going through World War II, readjusting to rural life and trying to find connection with his grandson who is also going through large life changes. This is a gentle heartwarming story that attempts to bring generations together and rekindle the art of conversation between the young and the old.
The story is based on real life experiences. How did that come about?
So John just so happens to be my great grandfather and when he was writing down his life story, he specifically mentioned to us as a family that he did not want to be forgotten. We then started talking to many other people within his generation who felt exactly the same and it’s a shared feeling in younger generations who feel like they are being forgotten too.
We’ve continued these conversations in workshops coffee mornings and informal chats across community centres schools youth groups throughout all of Norfolk and Suffolk and these feelings are still so strong and tangible.
The play has toured previously. What sort of reactions did it receive?
We were really grateful to receive some wonderful reactions from our previous research and development tours, including some wonderful words from Cultivated. I specifically remember one gentleman who after seeing the play messaged me the very next day saying that the show inspired him to have one of the most honest and inspiring conversation conversations with his father that he has had in 30 years.
That’s just one small example, but we’ve found this story does pull at the heartstrings not just because it’s a local story but because this tale is timeless.
How has the production evolved for this run?
So for this final iteration we have of course expanded the venues which we are going to be touring to, as we want to celebrate as much of East Anglia as we can. We’ve also updated the script to reflect the conversations we have had in our most recent workshops to ensure people stories are being heard and represented in the best way possible.
We have also upgraded the set once more with updated artwork and we have a dedicated tour manager for the first time ever. We’ve also collaborated more with the amazing Maple Ward who has kindly gifted her song The Gardener to be the soundtrack for the show.
I think it’s not just the production that is evolving but us as a theatre company as well. We want to do more things bigger and better on a local and national scale. We hope this tour helps us on the journey to do that.
Reflex also runs work in progress nights at The Garage. How do they work?
Our work in progress nights run very much like an open mic night, where emerging artists of any art form can come and trial 10 minutes of brand-new work in front of an audience. It’s a really supportive environment where people know things aren’t going to be polished or perfect, but that’s exactly the reason why our WIP nights exist.
We know how difficult it is for emerging talent to get on the creative ladder, especially in rural areas. We are very lucky in Norwich to have a lot of lovely Theatre buildings but we find the creative pathways on as connected or as strong we like to be for grass roots creative.
Our whole mission is to create a world on stage and off stage where people can just be, where they can flourish and where they can feel supported in a safe creative space. We’re really happy that The Garage is continuing to support us in this endeavour so that we in turn can give back to the local artistic community.
- Call Me John is touring across East Anglia: 30 April, Aylsham Town Hall; 1 May, The Carnegie, Thetford; 2 May, Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall; 6 May, Fisher Theatre, Bungay; 7 May, The Garage, Norwich; 8 May, Saxmundham Market Hall; 9 May, Sheringham Masonic Centre; 13 May, Dereham Memorial Hall; 14 May, Hunstanton Town Hall; 15 May, Carlton Colville Community Centre; 16 May, The Workshop, King’s Lynn.
