THEATRE: Emma Packer Playwright and Actor
Written by: Sophie Taylor
As some wise Twitter user typed recently, ‘can we just press control alt delete on 2016 please?’ and I couldn’t agree more. It’s been a particularly shocking year for news stories and scaremongering, not least with the potential floppy haired President and Prime Minister-to-be’s. Terrifying.
Comedian, actor and playwright, Emma Packer wanted to challenge these political social inequalities through her character, Amy Jones, an emotionally charged girl from Brixton with a strong political heart.
Having won Best Female Act at the Camden SOLO Festival in 2013 and 2014 Emma’s back in London with her Fringe one woman production CTRL+ALT+DELETE, now showing at Camden People’s Theatre until August 16th.
We spoke to Emma about the play and getting your point across in today’s ever more uncertain and ridiculous political climate.
What first compelled you to begin writing CTRL+ALT+DELETE?
“I wanted to explore and draw parallels between the control and abuse of power within a domestic setting, and in wider society from the government, media and the police.
CTRL+ALT+DELETE examines the myth that all mothers are loving and protective of their children, which serves to isolate us from the truth and the harsh realities of life. The show addresses the subject of female violence. I feel society has a skewed perception of this subject. Whether it is female on female or female on male violence, this kind of violence is rarely addressed although we know it goes on. I have known quite a few people that have suffered mental and/or physical abuse at the hands of a wife, girlfriend or a mother. I hope that CTRL+ALT+DELETE can help raise awareness around a very important subject matter.”
Would you call yourself a theatrical activist?
“I’ve never thought it about like that but I guess I do always like to make a point, whether it’s a social and/or political one in the majority of my writing.”
How did you first meet (director) Katherine Hayes?
“When I originally wrote CTRL+ALT+DELETE in 2014 I advertised for a director and Katherine Hayes was the one I wanted to work with the most. It was one of the best decisions I made and I have no doubt we will be working together in the years to come. Katherine is a writer as well and we will be working on a sitcom next for TV and devising a new show for my comedy characters.”
Do you think it’s fitting to show the play in Camden?
“I love Camden; it’s so vibrant and culturally there is so much to do. The Camden Fringe is the icing on the cake each year.”
How has it changed since its beginnings at the Edinburgh Fringe?
“The Edinburgh festival is such a great platform for new material. You learn very quickly what needs to go and what needs further exploration. I was also very inspired by other writers when I was up there and hopefully this steep learning curve has resulted in a piece that has matured and developed in the right way.
We didn’t really get to ‘meet’ Mum in the previous show. I have therefore developed her so we can see who she is as person and understand her a bit more. Amy has grown as a character as well. She has matured with the piece but hopefully not lost her playfulness and lust for life.
The political side of the piece has become more relevant to today and addresses issues such as the housing crisis, Brexit and the Chilcot Report.”
Congratulations for your Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award nomination! That must have felt good. How does it compare with winning awards for your comedy works?
“It did indeed. I was very happy but any reward is fantastic because it shows that you’re doing something right!”
So since doing the show in Camden, do you have any recommendations for our readers coming to see your play as pre and post theatre drinks/food?
“My two favourite places to eat in Camden are La Patagonia, a great Argentinian restaurant, and Band of Burgers.”
I’m looking forward to seeing the play this week. Is there anything I should look out for? Do you have a favourite moment for instance?
“I love politics and I love Amy’s passion for it, so I particularly like doing her speech. As I said previously, ‘Mum’ has a voice now and she is so different to any other characters I play. I really enjoy performing her. However, I’m not sure it’s so pleasurable for the audience!”
CTRL-ALT-DELETE is now showing at Camden People’s Theatre until August 16th 2016
Book tickets here and look out for our review coming soon…
Photos by David Packer and courtesy of Emma Packer
10/08/2016
Theatre of Choice: Stick and Twisted by Hivemind
Hivemind are coming to the Hen and Chickens Theatre this Summer with a cracker of an innovative show. Three directors try to win over the audience with improvised stories acted out by the rest of the Hivemind cast on the spur of the moment. As each scene ends you decide whether to “stick” and see where the story goes or “twist” and let the next director take over. The director who ends up with the least scenes acted out has to pay a ‘terrible forfeit’. Told you it was harsh.
Hidden Culinary Gem: The Lacy Nook
We have been wondering whether or not to share this secret gem with you for a while now. Having walked past Cazenove Road on many a drunken occasion, we’d spotted The Lacy Nook A Board luring us inwards with a siren’s call of cocktails and beer garden. But unfortunately we’d get the timing all wrong and they’d rarely be open. “Closed at 4am! How ludicrous?” we’d holler, slurring and swaying up the road. Until now. Opening last year, The Lacy Nook is a collaboration between two friends who turned to Kickstarter to help them achieve this culinary dream . Think small and large plates of fusion Balkan BBQ, salads and carpaccio alongside
Playing Up: New NYT Show, Three
This year, Playing Up have commissioned a new play by Sophie Ellerby (HighTide First Commissions Writer and NYT REP Company 2013), Three, which will be staged at the Arcola Theatre from 20th to 22nd July. The urban and domestic drama, directed by NYT Associate Director Anna Niland follows three sisters who fight to keep track of reality as their world is turned upside down.
Laughable Acts at Backyard Comedy Club
Tonight, on this dull yet sweaty Monday, what you may well need is to show your confectionary based fillings to the ceiling and let it all out with a huge bellowing guffaw about nothing in particular. Let the likes of quick witted Josie Long, surreal twosome Max and Ivan and the downright uproarious Tom Parry help you escape the chocolate lacking reality of 2017.
Fur Dates: Lottie is Looking for Love
Registered charity, All Dogs Matter are a dog rehoming centre based in Archway. They use a mixture of foster homes and kennel spaces to house their dogs, who are each looking to be fostered or adopted. Occasionally we look through their profiles of beautiful singletons looking for love and feature one at random. We interviewed one newly single lady in particular called Lottie. A fun spirited character with smooth hair and a huge grin, Lottie was a right laugh.
Get Involved: Cally Road Jumble Trail
Next Sunday it’s the Cally Road Jumble Trail, run by the community. Think a car boot sale but on the street with vintage clothing, accessories, toys, original creations and cakes if you’re lucky. The whole of the trail is set up online over at jumbletrail.com where visitors get a colour coded map to explore and discover all the hidden treasures on offer from your neighbourhood.
Top Four ‘What the Deuce!’ Wimbledon Screening Spots
You’ve got your socks pulled up but no Cliff Richard in sight. You’re all white shorted up with nowhere to go. It’s time to find out where your white headbanded self will fit in. Here's our top four Wimbledon screening hang outs to try this Summer.
Midsummer Fizz Masterclass at Yield N16
Until five minutes ago I would’ve believed Pet Nat was a holistic dog food brand / veterinary business in Wood Green. I’m half right actually*, but in the boozios world it’s a fizzy wine. Pétillant Naturel is light and fizzy, usually pretty low on the alcohol scale and rather sweet. Think the opposite of a dry red wine.
World Foods Market, Abney Hall
Abney Public Hall is hosting a market of world food delicacies next weekend, having gathered together the creme de la creme of planet Earth’s cuisine. Prepare for a mass fusion of cultures, great food, drink and music just off Stoke Newington Church Street.
Quiz: How Gentrified Are You?
Otherwise known as the shoredification of London, there are four stages of denial when it comes to dealing with the inevitability of gentrification. Are you a dilapidated ol’ boozer clinging on to the same threads since 1989, or more of a craft beer-swilling/moustache-bearing pop up type propping up the bar at a cookie dough cafe? Let’s find out before your bedroom’s transformed in to a pop up belfie gallery.
Poop poop! Supper Club Banquet at Toad Hall
Poop poop! Get your driving gloves on and tweed jackets ready, for Toady has invited us down to Toad Hall for a banquet on the riverbank. Join The Literary Hour for their all new immersive supper club experience this Summer. It’s the eighth in their series of book themed events with multi-sensory five course meals featuring additional surprises… Ooh ratty!
Comedians, Rappers, Actors: Open Mic Night in Stokey
Every last Thursday of the month a motley crew of performing acts shuffle off to the skinny little Moustache Bar on Stoke Newington Road for a night of microphone hogging. It’s Open Mic night and the stage isn’t just available to acoustic guitar yielding crooners. The floor is open for all you comedians, rappers, poets, hell even actors are welcome to come tread the boards at Moustache Bar this Thursday 27th July.
Walking Tour of Stokey's Rebel History
Ah Stokey. You chilled out little rebel of North London. The seemingly easy breezy, laissez-faire attitude that appears to exude from every award winning eatery and baby clothes shop of Church Street is all but an organic hessian veil over it’s anarchic and rebellious history. Nonconformists, anti fascists and dissenters built the area as we know it.
Eating North London: Punjabi Supperclub Recipe
Trying our luck, we decided to ask the wonderful Raina and Saira of Joginder Supper Club to give us some unseen insight in to their centuries old Punjabi recipes. Amazingly they agreed to shed some light on one of their most tasty dishes: the Bhoolghobi Tamatar (cauliflower with tomato and potato). Over to the experts...
North London Bike Tour: Tour De North Four
So this July 198 cyclists head over to Germany to start the Tour de France. If you think that is weird, wait till I tell you it started in Yorkshire a few years ago. Anyway after the three days of the Grand Depart the spectacle of the world's biggest sporting event heads back to France and the action really begins.
Glastonbury Comes to North London
Did you take one look at the ticket prices for Glastonbury, vomit in your mouth and close your laptop slowly? Did you get a debilitating case of FOMO scrolling through your friends Glastonbury pics and “oops lost my phone at Radiohead” status updates? Or did you actually go to Glastonbury, witness Jon Snow drop the f bomb and now know that life will never get any better