Since, tentatively, telling my friends that I have written a play and Sixth Side Theatre Company are performing it, I have been asked a lot of questions, such as how long did it take to write or are you excited for it to go ahead. But the question I have, surprisingly, found the most difficult to answer is where did the inspiration for the play come from.

Honestly, I started writing the piece so long ago I had forgotten the roots of the idea. I have always maintained to those who have asked that there is no connection between the piece and my personal life (as much as some are convinced otherwise) although after mulling it over for the past few weeks, I recognised that this actually was where the initial inspiration came from though not through any relationship rather instead my career. 

Over the last two summers, I have completed internships within the construction industry. For my most recent placement, I was allocated to a project in Oxford which meant my Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons were spent driving back and forth between there and my hometown in Bedfordshire. Working in this industry full time will likely require having to relocate to any project I will be allocated to on a more permanent basis rather than just for a summer. Coming from a small(ish) market town, the idea of getting to move around for work is really exciting to me and one of the perks of the job as I love travelling and feel very ready to move out of Central Beds. However, it did make me question what impact this would have on my relationships. If I’m constantly moving around, at what point do I settle down and get married or have kids? How does that all work? This is where the initial idea came from.

Coming from a small(ish) market town, the idea of getting to move around for work is really exciting to me and one of the perks of the job as I love travelling and feel very ready to move out of Central Beds.

Long distance relationships can take many shapes and forms. In the case of this play, it explores the situation where someone has to move for work and more serious discussions are taking place but this topic is actually very applicable and relatable for university students. From finalists soon to start jobs in a completely different city to their partner to second or third years about to start a year abroad or in industry to even those who may have a partner from back home. The discussion of whether a relationship can work long distance is one so many of us either have had or will have soon. I really liked the fact it was something a lot of people could relate to so decided to explore it further in my writing.

The play centres around a couple, Matt and Jen, who live in Edinburgh though Matt has just been told he’s moving to London for work. The play as it is performed is the second draft. I wasn’t happy with the initial ending and after reworking that, the script felt a lot more complete. I didn’t really have an overall plan when writing, I just started noting down the emotions and feelings that would likely go through someone’s head when assessing long distance, thinking it all through logically. It started with lots of smaller sections where I just explored different thought processes that then became linked together into a full script. Slowly within the writing, the characters of Matt and Jen started to form and become more developed and complex. I think a lot of this logical way of thinking things through shows in Matt’s character. As an engineer he solves real world puzzles for a living; it’s just the way his mind works. Jen, on the other hand, severely over-thinks and doesn’t always think rationally just assuming the worst case scenario. Ultimately, both characters have their individual faults and flaws, neither of them are close to being perfect but they sincerely love each other and I hope I’ve been able to capture that. 

Ultimately, both characters have their individual faults and flaws, neither of them are close to being perfect but they sincerely love each other and I hope I’ve been able to capture that. 

My initial worry was whether anyone would actually be willing to get involved in the creative production team. I was scared that no one would sign up and it would never really take off the ground. I was incredibly wrong and in fact I have had the support of the most incredible team who have all put so much hard work into this project. Our producers Dan Wattis (Producer) and Eloise Gordon-Stables (Assistant Producer) have been outstanding. Dan has been so on it in terms of organising rehearsals, room bookings and just keeping on top of all the little jobs to make sure everything runs smoothly. They have saved the day on so many occasions I have lost count. Dan’s commitment has been so impressive to the extent of even forwarding a room booking to me while playing trombone in the pit at Gala to make sure we didn’t get kicked out of the room. Eloise has designed a beautiful poster and promotional materials that perfectly convey what the play is about. She’s got such amazing skills for design and has really stepped up to all the random little tasks we’ve thrown her way. 

“A rollercoaster of emotions in all the right ways.”

Dan Wattis (Producer)

“It’s been a real joy to work with Alysia on such an incredible project. Seeing her reactions to the play coming to life has been really special, as well as being able to hear the song that her and Harry have written (which has got stuck in my head). Florence and Oli have done such an incredible job with the characters and emotions of the play.”

Eloise Gordon-Stables (Assistant Producer)

I must thank Harry Naylor for both being an incredible stage manager and agreeing to facilitate full blown audio drama offstage but also for co-writing and recording the song ‘Epilogue’ with me which features in the play. Funnily enough, I started writing the lyrics to ‘Epilogue’ almost a year before starting ‘It’s Ok. We’ll be Ok.’. The song is about just wanting to know that everything is going to be ok but unfortunately no matter how badly you want to you can’t know for certain. Harry is a fantastic song writer and when I mentioned to him that I had written some song lyrics but had no idea how to turn it into a song, I was thrilled that he said he’d happily see what he could do. ‘Epilogue’ fitted very well with the themes of the play so it felt right to include it. After a long battle with tech and three hours of our lives we’ll never get back, Harry and I recorded a section of the song which you’ll have to listen out for. He really is a fab musician and it’s been amazing to include our little project from last term within this production. 

“I think this is a super play, it’s good fun but also makes you stop and think. If you guys enjoy watching half as much as we’ve enjoying making it, you’re in for a great evening.”

Harry Naylor (Stage Manager)

I was keen to have an Assistant Director as I feel it is always good to have a second opinion. I was excited to read how passionate Matthew Hall was to get involved in his application to become AD. As those who have been in Trevs for the last couple of years may know, Matthew and I have worked closely together before as last year’s JCR Welfare Officers, so I’d like to say we’re a good team. It’s been absolutely brilliant working with him. Matthew has provided great insights and many suggestions I would not have thought of myself that have completely elevated the piece. He is very skilled at being able to articulate my thoughts even when I can’t do that myself which I guess is what comes from a year of being co-welfare hence the teamwork has been seamless.

“I have had the most amazing time working on this play. The script somehow manages to accurately capture everyday life and the performances are incredible. I can’t wait to see it and I know everything that is happening.”

Matthew Hall (Assistant Director)

The audition process was interesting seeing all the renditions of the extracts. It was really fascinating seeing how others interpreted the characters I had written and in some cases how different these interpretations were. When working with a new piece you’ve not really got any other versions to refer to so it’s a blank slate that you can completely make your own. The standard of auditions overall really blew Matthew and myself away hence it was difficult to make call back decisions etc. for very minimal casting. 

Oli Ingoe and Florence Bray play Matt and Jen respectively and I must say they are both truly phenomenal. I have seen them perform the same scenes so many times and yet every time I still experience the same emotions and I’m so in awe of their performance. Oli and Florence have great chemistry and such sincerity in their acting that makes the show feel so natural and real. They capture all the emotions expressed from anger and frustration to vulnerability and sympathy so beautifully. They have brought the characters of Matt and Jen to life just as I’d imagined and I couldn’t be prouder of the pair. 

“Exactly the refreshing bit of theatre and lovely people I needed in my week.”

Oli Ingoe (Matt)

Rehearsal has sometimes taken a bit of trial and error since, as I have previously mentioned, there are no past versions to refer to. The cast have completely taken this in their stride and we’ve played around with the script and the space to find what we’ve felt fits best or feels right. After watching the first full run of the show, I was a bit of an emotional mess as it was so overwhelming watching it all fully come to life and seeing it all perfectly slot into place. The final production is everything I could have dreamed of and more and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity for my writing to be showcased in Trevs.  

A big thank you goes to Charlie Eddison, Sixth Side President, for being so willing to back this production and going out of his way for this play to become a thing. I’m still not sure it’s sunk in that the show is happening but I’m so excited (and terrified) for viewers to watch this play. I really cannot sing the praises enough of the whole cast and crew. It means the world to me that these wonderful people have all put so much love and care into the production and I think this really shines through. Truly, this silly little play has been one of if not THE highlight of my four years in Durham and I cannot express my gratitude for the cast and crew enough. 

Tickets are on sale for ‘It’s Ok. We’ll Be Ok.’ and can be purchased through the DST website. The production will take place on 22nd and 23rd February in the Dowrick Suite, Trevelyan College. 

Image: Sixth Side Theatre Company