Thomas Strickland talks taking things out of the bedroom
Think your relationship. Now think of all the conversations that occur and the arguments that happen. And then imagine those private, and probably ridiculous, words being aired to audiences. Oh, the entanglements and embarrassment. Out of Box Theatre Company is doing just this with its newest production, Bedroom Farce, opening this week (July 12-27).
Below, Thomas Strickland, one of the cast members, talks about his hatred for farce, his pleasing character, and transitioning into Out of Box Theatre company’s new space.
Q. Bedroom Farce is about what happens between couples in a private place, the bedroom. But the tales don’t seem to stay too private. Did you find that the humor and “farce” of it all had a relatable pull not only as an actor but for audiences?
A. Here’s a confession: I am not a fan of farce. By and large, I’m not one for slamming doors and actors trapped under beds and a metric ton of double entendre. Leave that for Benny Hill and leave me out of it. But that said, the factors that drive me away from most farce are what draw me toward Bedroom Farce. I’ve been calling the play an “anti-farce,” mostly because the situations, while funny, are so based in the reality of each couple’s situation. The comedy comes from watching very relatable people deal with the neuroses and issues of other peoples’ private lives made public.
Q. There are four couples involved, who are you playing? And what kind of partner is your character?
A. I’m playing Malcolm Newton. Newly married, newly housed, and wanting to make the very best of everything. If there is a straight man in the play, I suppose it would be Malcolm, though he has issues of his own. Though calm and collected, Malcolm is only a few steps from being absolutely exasperated when things don’t go right. And yet, he is incredibly supportive of Kate, wanting to surprise her in ways both practical and ridiculous.
Q. What has been your favorite scene, one that you can’t wait to see how the audience reacts come opening night?
A. Without spoiling too much, there’s a sequence involving the collecting of coats that culminates in a argument at the foot of the bed. That’s really all I can say, but I think it’s going to go over well.
Q. There are quite of few intertwining lives and a lot of marital not-so-blissful moments. Is there a happy ending to these lives that seem to go down a dark road?
A. Malcolm and Kate will be fine, as will be Delia and Ernest. Nick and Jan might be okay. But Susannah and Trevor …. oh, dear.
Q. This show will be the first in Out of Box Theatre’s new space at the Artisan Resource Center. What was it like to be a part of the big move?
A. It’s taken some adjustment, but we were lucky in that we’ve been rehearsing in the ARC space from the beginning. And I suspect there will be a few more lessons to be learned as we go into tech week and opening night.
