We “had the opportunity to speak with the creatives behind the production which gives us a great insight into the creative process . I Hate Charlie Pickles" by Ian Cragg is part of a double bill titled "Uncle Toad," scheduled for two performances on Friday, October 13th, from 18:30 to 20:30, at The Studio Below as part of the Liverpool Fringe. This production is brought to you by Make it Write. The play is directed by Kevin Foott, known for directing "The Tea Party" by Helen Dooley, another successful Make It Write production that recently won the Leverhulme Festival award for best presentation this year. Assisting in the direction is Catherine Leen. The cast includes Graham Padden as Charlie Pickles, a small-time comic, Sarah Howes Dixon as Terri Furnival, Charlie's agent, and Darren Jones as Archie Connor, an emerging impresario.

Charlie, an aging comedian, grapples with a changing comedy landscape, disenchanted with his father's creation, 'Charlie Pickles.' Alfie, a journalist who once admired Charlie's candor, now offers him a life-changing opportunity. However, Charlie's loyal agent, fearing a late-career shift, hesitates, mindful of her commissions. Ian pens a tale of ambition, loyalty, and a reevaluation of one's life path, leaving Charlie questioning his own identity.

We spoke with Kevin foott, the Director of, I Hate Charlie Pickles.

“ For me, as a director, I am always looking to bring something out of the script that maybe even the writer hadn’t considered when he wrote it and initially Ian had written the piece with three men in mind. As a result, I felt that casting the role of the agent brought a whole new dynamic to the play and after outlining my thoughts to Ian he didn’t need that much persuasion.

I already had two actors in mind for the role of Terri and Archie and so only needed to cast Archie and was really lucky in finding Graham Padden who in a previous life had actually tread the boards as a comedian. This has meant we have been able to get straight into it and are currently rehearsing once a week for two hours.

One of the biggest issues you face as a director is being able to interpret what the writer wants and marrying it to the reality of the space, the funding etc. I am lucky that in Ian I have a writer who trusts what I am doing with the piece and that I am able to make the best use of said space and the constraints that come with it; with that in mind, it will very much be a ‘Black box’ piece with the emphasis placed very much on the excellent script and how it is delivered.

Having  a cast I have previously worked with and one that I trust to have at least a basic knowledge of not only stage craft but also about the themes involved in the piece is a godsend; as is also having an assistant director with whom to bounce ideas off and have a second eye on the rehearsal process.”

Kevin reflects on the coincidence of finding himself in the director's chair for yet another play centered around comedians. He draws a comparison between his current endeavor, 'I Hate Charlie Pickles,' and his prior work on Bernie Winston's 'Stand Up,' remarking on the surprising disparities despite the shared comedic backdrop. Both plays, he notes, tap into the universally recognized notion of the 'Tears of a Clown,' where comedians, while entertaining with humor, conceal personal struggles beneath the surface. In 'Stand Up,' this theme was starkly evident in a world on the brink of collapse, while 'I Hate Charlie Pickles' delves deeper into the psyche of the titular character.

He adds, “It’s also funny that even though they are plays about comedians they bring out so much angst and delve quite deeply in to the human condition and reflect our own lives back at us. I am not expecting the audience to come out having had a belly full of laughs but they will perhaps come out having seen something of their own stories and recognised a tale with many common themes that run through their own lives.”

Catherine Leen Assistant Director shared her experience working on the show:

“ Shadowing director Kev Foott on the play I Hate Charlie Pickles has been a fantastic experience. Not only have I been given the opportunity to develop my own practice but it has also allowed me to meet and work with a group of incredibly creative, kind and supportive people. Being able to observe the process of bringing a script to life has been revealing - the character analysis undertaken at the start was insightful as is the creative collaboration that has continued throughout the rehearsal period. Comments and suggestions are welcomed by the director and everyone in the room given the space to have their voices heard. Kev’s sensitive guidance and encouragement ensures that each actor is empowered to explore their character fully to enable them to give their best performance. I really enjoy attending the rehearsals - the atmosphere in the room is positive and fun while acknowledging the dedication and hard work required. Being part of this production is both a pleasure and a privilege.”

Ian provides insight into the play's core, offering a glimpse into its surface narrative and underlying themes. At its heart, the story revolves around Charlie, a comedian whose glory days are now a distant memory. Ian Craig goes on to explain,

“Thematically, the play touches on ideas of identity (who are we and who decides our futures); missed opportunity, and self-belief (i.e. how much does it push us forward or hold us back?) I'd like the audience to sympathise and empathise with Charlie, and to relate to how we can all spurn the opportunity to do something we say we want when our own self-belief is lacking.

We was also lucky to speak with  Graham Padden:- Charlie Pickles and Sarah Howes Dixon – Terri Furnival (Charlies Agent)

Graham explains how he joined the play and the behind-the-scenes look:

“ I joined the play to progress my professional acting career. For me personally, it's a great opportunity as Charlie Pickles is a brilliantly written character. I'm very conscious that I'm involved in a great piece of writing The process is going at a good pace and I'm thoroughly enjoying working with this experienced cast. We have plenty of time to develop our characters and be ready to peak at the right time. At all times we are included in all the creative process.”

When Sarah Howes-Dixon read the script for ‘I Hate Charlie Pickles’ by Ian Cragg, she knew from the first page it was going to be a great play. This one act fly-on-the-wall play about an ageing, past his prime and anxious comedian, alias Charlie Pickles, will resonate with audiences. Cragg’s script portrays the needy Pickles’ internal struggles, allowing audiences to relate to him, and the other characters. According to Howes-Dixon, the opportunity to play Terri Furnival, Charlie’s agent of many years, was too good a chance to miss.

I Hate Charlie Pickles" by Ian Cragg is part of a double bill that also features the play, "Uncle Toad," scheduled for two performances on Friday, October 13th, from 18:30 to 20:30, at The Studio Below as part of the Liverpool Fringe. Grab your tickets while you can!

Written by, Elaine Louise Stuart