Coincidentally, it’s Women’s History Month, and we chose to feature Sarah Walker Thornton, the Director of The Play That Goes Wrong.
Sarah’s making her MCT Directing “Day-Boo” (it will make sense when you see it). We chose the old-school interview style to get her thoughts!
Please list a couple favorites you’ve directed.
I have many favorites, but The 39 Steps, Little Women, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead all in my previous life as the Artistic Director at the Cloverdale Playhouse in Montgomery, Alabama were lots of fun, and any chance to work with Bama Theatre Company in NYC on some Shakespeare in any capacity
*Is there anything about TPTGW that’s surprised you?
This cast continues to find more and more of the funny, and my cheeks hurt by the end of each night! I’m continually surprised at how we theatre people love doing something so much that we continue to put ourselves out there show after show knowing anything could happen (and often DOES). The resilience, bravery, and dedication of artists continues to surprise and awe me. And I’m surprised at how many times one group of people can break a rehearsal door haha.
*How are the 1st time MCT actors enjoying the process?
It’s always such a joy when new companies come together to see the bonds form and grow. And this show requires a true ensemble that works together with a great deal of trust in each other to pull it off. I’m very grateful for such a strong, generous team!
*Explain how the ‘crew’ is part of the show.
This show is a play within a play, so really, MCT is doing a production of The Play That Goes Wrong which is a production of the Cornley Drama Society’s The Murder at Haversham Manor. So, there will be MCT crew working behind the scenes of The Play That Goes Wrong and Cornley Drama Society crew working behind the scenes of The Murder at Haversham Manor. They’re all really cast members, often seen onstage trying desperately to get their play to go RIGHT. And sometimes they must get very involved!
*It seems everyone’s a bit fearless…any particular moments that stand out?
This bunch is so fearless and creative, they’re a director’s dream! The story calls for some ridiculous stuff (and sometimes potentially dangerous- things catching fire or falling down). Thankfully, the trust is there to commit to the moments. I’m constantly wowed at their comedic bravery, too. No matter how silly the challenge, they just GO FOR IT! For example, I’ll say, “Let’s play with some ways to get all of those papers off the floor,” and without missing a beat, there is a human vacuum cleaner bit developing. We have a quote from the great Frank Oz hanging on the wall in the
rehearsal hall that says, “If you don’t make a fool of yourself, you’ll make a fool of yourself.” I think that encapsulates the bravery and comedy chops needed for this show.
*How much of a departure is this from your other favorite shows? (Shakespeare dramas, musicals)
I have been an actor in a lot of farce, and I’ve worked in some capacity or other on several shows like this or requiring some elements of this one (stage combat, physical comedy, etc.)- sometimes from the director’s chair, other times as a fight choreographer or dialect coach. This is, by far, the most “extreme sports” show I’ve done. It’s a non-stop roller coaster ride that just starts at the top and doesn’t slow down until the curtain drops.