We were delighted to discover that Dominic, you'll know him as Russian cosmonaut Alexei, has been nominated for a Manchester Theatre Award as best newcomer for his out of this world performance in Icarus. Well deserved, I should add. For those of you who didn't see Icarus, keep your eyes peeled for some Autumn tour dates coming soon.
But, before we get our space suits back on we're knee deep in the development of our next show. Last week we were over in Harrogate for some more of that rehearsing.
We keep saying that we're making a Scandinavian style crime thriller! Whatever that means. Roll-neck sweaters and bleak cinematography, apparently. But ultimately, regardless of where and when, all of these shows, and stories are whodunits.
We were late to the Broadchurch party and only recently watched the first season, but it's perfect example of a whodunit. Like a game of Cluedo, everyone's a suspect. Pauline Quirk in the Caravan with a skateboard; His dad's mate with a crossbow; Will Mellor with a stick; the Priest in a drunken rage... You're left guessing all the way to the end, and by that point you've committed eight hours of you're life to discover...
Don't worry I'm not going to spoil it for you, but there's a nice twist of events that uncovers the killer. However the reason he (or she?) was the killer is so weak and contrived that it's entirely unsatisfying. There's one crucial element missing and that's a why. The whodunit should really be called a whydunit. That's the only thing that's interesting. Why somebody would kill somebody. As David Tennant's moody bad cop says: "anybody's capable of this murder." However, what made them capable? or why? is the question they failed to answer.
This week we had a photoshoot in an abandoned building which was absolutely freezing, but I think the photos will be worth it. Find out next week.
