Actors talk love, laughter and new play Frank 4 Sophie 4 Eva

Actors and co-workers Alex Maxwell (Venue Producer) and Simon Naylor (Creative Director) know each other very well.

They work together at the arts hub that is 53two and they have acted together before. Now they are about to perform together again in the anti-rom-com Frank 4 Sophie 4 Eva by Ian Watson.

We caught up with Alex to find out more about the play, the advantages of performing with someone you know inside out and how 53two has grown since the early days in its temporary home.

And why Tina Turner provides the perfect break-up song.

 You both had this play for a while. What made you come back to you and think it was worth staging?

The play was sent to us in May 2019 when we were in between venues and then had the whole issue of Covid to deal with.

When we opened our new arches in 2021 we thought it would be somewhat arrogant for us to be the first actors to take to the stage, so we left it on the back burner but knew when the timing was right we would come back to it.

I then took some time off and had my beautiful son and now that I’m back we finally feel the time is right! 

There are challenges to playing alongside someone you know very well, with a topic matter like this. But how is that a blessing too?

I feel it only works in our favour that we know each other well.

We have worked together previously in Macbeth back in 2018 and it feels easy to leave all the ’niceties’ at the door and just get on with the work needed!

No politeness is required ha-ha! We know how each other works and can be more direct and with just the two of us in this piece that is a huge help. Struggling to keep a straight face during rehearsals is my only issue!!  

What are your favourite break-up songs and why?

Ooh this is tough!

My all time favourite artist is the legend that is Tina Turner so it would feel wrong not to say one by her so When The Heartbreak is Over is up there – who doesn’t love a bit of female empowerment in a break up song?!

A more recent goodie is Wish You The Best by Lewis Capaldi. Such beautiful lyrics that I think a lot of people relate to – having so much to say but in the moment leaving it all unsaid. 

53two has grown in both strength and stature. How has it been for you?

Being with the 53two team from the start and seeing the journey it has made has only ever made me proud of what’s been achieved, how it’s grown and what we are able to offer.

At the start we had no idea what we were doing and I think the enjoyment of winging it and a lot of laughter kept us going!

We learnt year by year what worked and what mistakes we shouldn’t make again!! With the new arches came new systems, a new staffing structure and a lot more professionalism!!

We have grown so much now with a team of 17 so I am just one small cog in a huge machine and it only gets better and better! And that’s down to Simon and the rest of the amazing team. None of it would be possible without the hard work of so many people along the way! 

Why would you tell theatregoers to come along and watch this play?

Light-hearted, hilarious and beautifully written this show isn’t claiming to be anything other than entertaining.

Anyone who has been in a relationship before will no doubt relate to something in this and despite a lot of humour throughout it does still have an important subject matter at its core; the effects and impact of poor mental health.

During the run we are supporting Andy’s Man Club, raising awareness and funds for this incredible charity. There is also the simple enjoyment of seeing me and Simon no doubt failing massively on stage or laughing when I shouldn’t!! 

Tickets for Frank 4 Sophie 4 Eva is at 53two

Frank 4 Sophie 4 Eva is at 53two from 30^th October – 8^th November and you can book tickets here