Ipswich’s Pulse Festival returns to the New Wolsey Theatre 1-10 June 2017, packed with over 50 events to thrill and entertain. To help you decide what to see, we’re running our Pulse Points Previews, asking performers to tell us about their productions.
Here, James McDermott tells us about his playRubber Ringwhich is performed at Pulse on 2 June 2017
How would you describe your show in one sentence?
Rubber Ring is laugh-out-loud coming of age comedy about a Norfolk teenager’s struggle with sexual and regional identity
What appealed about appearing at Pulse?
Growing up gay in Norfolk I felt like a ghost no one believed in as rural LGBTQ stories and Norfolk were rarely represented onstage. Performing at Pulse gives me the platform to share my play about LGBTQ life in Norfolk with a Norfolk and Suffolk audience in the hope the story helps them feel less invisible as their lives are finally being represented onstage
How have you been preparing for Pulse?
I’ve been preparing for Pulse by performing Rubber Ring at The Pleasance Islington and The Tristan Bates Theatre. It’s been a pleasure performing Rubber Ring in London but it made me miss Norfolk: I couldn’t find a stick of rock in Cockfosters for love nor money.
What do you think sets your show apart from all the other festival offerings?
It’s a funny fast-paced comedy about the difficulties and delights of growing up queer in a county where the only places to explore are rock pools but where if you’re different you can be a big fish in a small pond. It’s a play with a big heart full of big characters and big laughs. What’s not to love?
What’s the show that you don’t want to miss at this year’s Pulse (apart from your own)?
Unlimited Theatre’s Am I Dead Yet? I saw it last year and I can’t wait to see it again. It’s life-affirming and mind-expanding
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given for performing at a Fringe Festival?
Don’t.
The average human pulse rate is 70bpm, what is the pulse rate of your show and why?
1000bpm. This play is driven by a randy teenager’s desire to pop his cherry. We all remember how quickly our heart beat when we wanted to do that right?
Rubber Ringruns at Ipswich’s Pulse Festival on June 2 2017
For more information visit www.pulseipswich.co.uk
The Reviews Hub are proud to be the Media Partner for the Pulse Festival and will be providing in-depth coverage throughout the festival.
