Did we really need to stock up on that much toilet roll? That's one of the most important questions tackled in Alice Bragg & Lucie Capel's Corona Daze. Highlighting the hilarity that comes from reflecting on the absurd situation of government lockdown during the pandemic, the show is comedic, yet touches on the uncertainty and isolation faced at the time too.
Alice takes her solo character, Nicky, on a journey of self-discovery, and has told us a little extra about her production.
What was your inspiration behind the making of Corona Daze?
My friend Lucie and I couldn’t help seeing the funny side of the reaction to the coronavirus (as it was called then) before and during the first lockdown. We wrote the first draft of the play at that time, and it reflected our own behaviour and that of others around us.
How did you create the character of Nicky, and how have you found the development process of the production?
It has been an interesting process. At the outset, we couldn’t perform the play as we were in lockdown so we parked it until March last year when we decided it was time to stage the show. We then took it to Edinburgh for the 2023 festival.
How does the scenario lend itself to blending humour with the weird and difficult times of the pandemic?
It parodies the hysteria while taking a woman through the journey of facing her own shortcomings as a mother and being forced to change.
How does the relatability of the piece help audiences become invested in the narrative?
We found that a number of audience members at Edinburgh said they found it cathartic to re-live those times and laugh.
Which elements of the character do you personally identify with and why?
I’m a mother, although with a different parenting style. I was very afraid at the outset, just as Nicky is.
What makes comedy such a significant component of the arts industry?
It’s an incredible medium through which to communicate.
How do you think theatre like this will be understood by future generations who haven't lived through the pandemic as we have?
I think they may be a little bewildered, but also sensitive to the confusion people felt at the time. They may also take home a lesson about trying not to panic.
What did lockdown teach you about yourself and how do you reflect on that now?
Lockdown confirmed to me the value of using your common sense.
Thank you to Alice for taking the time to answer these despite your busy schedule - best of luck with the show, on this run and next!
Get your tickets to Corona Daze at Hen & Chickens Theatre here:
Additional thanks to Matthew Parker for coordinating this interview.
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