By Katie Asha, First Year, English
Alexis Gregory’s upcoming production SMOKE is a sharp and witty look into the queer drug scene, the confusion of grief, and the impact of social media on our perception of reality. Coming to The Wardrobe Theatre on May 12th, the play centres the experiences of its main character, Alex, who opens Instagram one morning to find a message from his late boyfriend. From there, it charts Alex’s search for the truth in the midst of confusion.
While peppered with comedic moments, at its core SMOKE touches on some heavy topics: drug abuse within the queer community, the impacts of social media on psychosis, and the unseen struggles of many young gay men.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexis Gregory, the playwright and sole actor of SMOKE. When asked about the creative influences that inspired the play, Gregory credits Sandra Bernhard in particular – a 1970/80's actress and comedian, known for her biting and satirical style of comedy. Gregory remembers her plays as ‘very dangerous, very queer. One minute she’d be doing something hard hitting, and the next minute it would be funny, and then she’d sing. I always loved that kind of performance that had a queer sensibility running through it; one minute it’s sad, and the next you're laughing’.
SMOKE itself certainly reflects this sentiment. Often exploring heavy themes of drug abuse and psychosis, it is made intimate and approachable through its use of humour. The protagonist frequently sits on the edge of the stage or directly addresses the audience during funny moments, making what might otherwise be a tragic and untouchable story into something approachable.
‘The audience does need those moments of relief, a moment to laugh and breathe out’, Gregory comments. ‘I think everything I write is like a rollercoaster with peaks and troughs. There’s a rhythm to every scene, and a rhythm to the play itself. The heartache, the comedy, the quiet moments: it’s like looking at a cardiogram’. In this way, the play could be considered queer in every sense of the word; it's camp, hilarious and disarming, while at once unfamiliar, exciting, and counter-cultural. The house lights stay up throughout the performance, exposing both performer and audience alike. This positions those watching not as detached observers, but instead, as much a part of the story as Alex himself. ‘The play changes from city to city’, says Gregory. 'It’s a living, breathing thing’.
Another way the play connects with it’s audience is through a 45 minute panel directly after the show, hosted by the LGBTQ+ youth organisation, You Are Loved. You Are Loved is a UK-based non-profit group, focused on supporting queer people who are increasingly vulnerable to drug-based harm and suicide. The organisation has partnered with Gregory to host a 45 minute open question panel exploring everything from mental health to addiction and loneliness. It offers a safe space for people to share their thoughts and experiences with themes that are also explored in SMOKE. Gregory has previously voiced his drive to explore neglected narratives on stage, stating that while some people may find the story or the protagonist dislikeable, sharing and exploring difficult stories is just as important in representing the queer community than sharing the joyful and united parts of it.
‘Some queer people are very resistant to provocative work, or anything that doesn’t present the queer community as a nice package of Sunday morning prosecco brunches and drag shows’, he tells me. ‘I guess [the play] is an insight into a world that, for some people, they recognise and instantly understand. I think for other people, it’s the opposite – it’s an insight into a world that they can’t believe exists’.
Lia Middleton
Gabriella Adaway
SMOKE will be hosted by Bristol Pride for one night only on Tuesday 12th May. ‘I think it’s great that Bristol Pride are bringing us, especially when it’s not necessarily “pride season”. They have this community programme the whole year round, and it will help us reach new audiences in Bristol’, says Gregory. The play is set to take place at The Wardrobe Theatre, an intimate venue that can seat up to 120.
To get tickets to the show, see here.
Featured image: SMOKE / Charles Moriarty
Will you watch SMOKE?
