Gravy On The Ceiling
Platform: YSJ Spark Community Theatre
August 2nd
Doors 7:30pm
Join us at Platform:YSJ Spark Community Theatre on August 2nd from 7:30pm as the duo infuse political satire, sketch comedy and spoken word in their debut show Gravy On The Ceiling.
I caught up with Nelli and Damian, soon to be second year Drama & Theatre students to find out more about their creative process and what to expect from Gravy On The Ceiling.
Background
Damian: My first experience of York St John was through the Converge theatre sessions. I’d been an Engineer but I was always writing my own work on the side so the opportunity to join Converge let me pursue what I was really interested in.
Nelli: I’m originally from Finland but I’d been living in London. I left London to come to York St John because I felt like London was over saturated with people trying to make it into the industry. It’s so nice to be in a city where there’s enough going on but you still feel like you can have a voice there.
Gravy On The Ceiling
Damian: It’s a piece of political satire or sketch comedy but with a lot of spoken word elements. We wanted to make it authentic and original so we could put our own footprint on the writing and performance scene in York.
Nelli: Our creative process is very equal – we can say constructively what works and what doesn’t. We tend to improvise scenes then go away and turn that into a script. We’ve got different strengths, so it works to use different methods to generate material and then turn that into a piece of writing.
Inspiration
Damian: For both of us Monty Python and Peep Show.
Nelli: For me Miranda Hart, I just love how she can laugh at herself. And her mum is this posh woman that wants Miranda to be thin and ladylike and she pushes back and shows women it’s okay to be yourself. I definitely think more people should learn to laugh at themselves.
Damian: Bill Hicks and George Carlin, two American comedians. They’re always anti-establishment but because their style is just so raw and honest it doesn’t feel forced at all. They’ve influenced me in the work I’d like to write and create.
York St John University
Damian: York St John has definitely given me a caffeine addiction! But honestly it’s given me a community. I’ve been coming here for 6 years now – I’m still linked to Converge as a mentor. There’s a real sense of a community just in our year group as well.
Nelli: I agree, it’s a new concept for me really. The first time I’ve really felt part of something and that I belong somewhere.
Damian: I’ve tried so many things I haven’t before that I can now incorporate into the work I want to make – I’m not a dancer but I’ve danced. I’m also going to America in second year to study for a semester. I’ve picked a module which is an introduction to contemporary dance which I would never have had the confidence to do before.
Nelli: Also seeing how our tutors actually work in the industry is great. From writing books and speaking all over the world, to practicing Applied Theatre in so many different contexts. It’s so nice to see they do practically deliver what they are teaching us.
Damian: It’s given me room to grow and space to try new things.
Spark:York
Nelli: I think Spark is great! There’s always something going on. I’m always down there with my friends in summer.
Damian: It’s great YSJ have a space in there. Just a great opportunity for students to get involved with the city.
Next steps?
Damian: We’d love to go on to tour our work around the country once we’ve developed our show.
Nelli: Firstly, come and see our first performance of Gravy On The Ceiling on the 2nd of August. We’ll be opening the doors to Platform at 7:30pm to find out if gravy will be on the ceiling.
Free tickets can be reserved through EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gravy-on-the-ceiling-tickets-64387440568