What is DNA about?
The play follows the lives of a group of school friends after fearing they've killed their classmate, Adam, and their attempts to cover up the death. After realising they’ve done something really bad they come up with a plan to clear their names, but whilst trying to hide what they've done they make the problem much much worse. Through creating the coverup together the gang learn a little bit more about each other and about themselves.
Why should people come and see your adaption of DNA?
We found when we started rehearsing that Dennis Kelly leaves a lot to the imagination with this play. Because of this we’ve really tried to draw from our own experience as teenagers and work with different stereotypes and archetypes to create what we think the characters would be like from our perspective. We’re a young cast, this has definitely helped us to draw parallels between ourselves and the characters in the play really allowing us to create a realistic group of teenagers adding that element of believability to the piece. We've also chosen to incorporate moments of physical movement and sequences to add to the story telling. I think this aspect is really interesting because it helps to present different perspectives and emotions of characters in the play that otherwise may not be apparent to the audience.
Why is the play still important in 2018?
For me I really feel that our version of the play encapsulates what it's like to be a teenager and the problems you face. It deals with issues nearly anyone who's been a teenager will have experienced at some point by looking at a group of young adults trying to find themselves in a time of chaos. The play explores what it's like to fit into a friendship group and what happens when you don't fit in. Dennis Kelly tackles topics such as bullying and morality in an interesting way by looking at the repercussions of bullying in extremes and the damaging effects it has on everyone involved.
Who do you play and what are they like?
I play Michelle (originally Mark) who is best friends with Jan and they do everything together, or almost everything together. Michelle is a bully, she tends to look down on other people a lot and can be incredibly vindictive and heartless at times, even towards Jan. When she recounts the bullying of their classmate she seems to revel in the pain and embarrassment she inflicted on him in a rather dark and twisted way. However as the play progresses she begins to realise the severity of the situation that she's caused and starts to feel remorse for her actions. I really enjoy playing Michelle because I think it's intriguing to see the interrelationship and power balance that she holds between her and the other characters.
Who is your favourite character in the play?
I think Phil is definitely one of the most interesting characters, for the first part of the play he literally says nothing, and on the surface he seems completely mundane and boring. But as the play progresses he begins to scheme and becomes the mastermind behind covering up the murder. His character is one of the most comic and sadistic at the same time, the elements of comedy lie in his relationship with Leah contrasting with his cruel outbursts and barbaric plans later in the play. Phil becomes the unelected leader of the group and everyone else looks to him for answers. I think the power dynamic and hierarchy between Phil and the rest of the characters is really interesting to see evolve and change throughout the play.
Describe the play in 3 words
Dark. Comical. Real.
