10 Questions: An interview with James Seager
Today our spotlight falls on James Seager, Producer of the hit show, The Terrible Infants. James was in contact recently to tell us about their most awesome news, so I immediately wanted to interview him and learn more about it for our series of 10 Questions.
Do go and see The Terrible Infants who are on at the Purple Cow, Udder Place at Old Stein Lawns on Sunday 18th May with two further shows on the 19th and 20th May commencing at 6.00 pm. So, let’s hear from James….
1. The Les Enfants Terribles Theatre Company has received backing and support from none other than, Dame Judi Dench. What has that meant for the show?
It’s great to have her backing, support and involvement and it has strengthened our belief in the show even more that someone as experienced as her thinks the show has so much potential that she wants to lend her name to it. It has obviously gained us more attention as well!
2. Oliver Lansley, writer of “The Terrible Infants” has just had a series commissioned by ITV which will begin filming at the end of the year. Do tell us more about this and who will be starring in the roles?
The sitcom is called FM and is about a DJ and his life at a radio station. It stars Chris O’Dowd form the IT Crowd, Kevin Bishop from Star Stories and Nina Sosanya from Nathan Barley. Oli also stars in it and is currently working on the scripts while performing in this show as well so he’s very busy at the moment.
3. The Terrible Infants won the much coveted Fringe Report, “Best Entertainment” for 2008. What are the qualities you feel your team have that have led you to achieve this prestigious award?
I think when you see the show you really feel that so much is going on with so many people doing so many things on stage. This is exactly how it’s been off stage as well with so many talented people being involved and working at the top of their game. It has been a real collaborative team effort with everyone working hard and bringing their area of expertise to the project. From our amazingly talented designer, Sam Wyer, who’s puppets should be seen to be believed, to our musicians Tom Gisby and Neil Townsend who scored the whole piece, to Oli’s writing and our fabulous cast of actors – this really is the most collaborative show I’ve been involved in that has resulted in a real “company” feel which works for this type of show. Coupled with that and our aim to create a piece of theatre that is just great fun resulted in the award.
4. What are the milestones in your life’s journey (both personal and professional) that have led you to be Producer of this very successful show?
The company has been running for the last six years and each show has grown and led directly on to the next show. Without the early days and the smaller shows we would not be here with this big show. On each production we have learnt things to implement in the next show whilst gaining bit by bit a good reputation and following. With this show we are working with people we have worked with for some time so that has also been important as we all know each other so well and know how we work. From a personal point of view I acted in a big show last year and managed to get a lot of important people who produced it to come and see The Terrible Infants to give me advice and tell me what they thought of it. Thankfully they all loved it and have all helped push the show further and further.
5. For the Brighton Fringe you will be performing a new extended version of “The Terrible Infants”. What should the public expect from your show at Brighton?
I think the show is just great fun. A lot of theatre can try a little too hard to “say something” which is either too worthy and / or depressing. Don’t get me wrong, I think there is a place for this but also a place for work that entertains and is worth forking out £10 for! We have live music, huge puppets, 5 short stories all interlinked, great writing and acting, the involvement of Judi Dench all resulting in a hugely entertaining night out. I personally feel that you can’t help be impressed by the versatility of our actors: one of whom plays nine different instruments throughout. It has been described as a cross between a “blend of the Brothers Grimm’s fantasy, a bit of Roald Dahl’s imagination and some of Tim Burton’s prose and visuals”; “deliciously dark”; “stunning and beautiful” which are all great compliments. If you like Tim Burton you’ll love this!
6. What has been your funniest experience producing “The Terrible Infants”?
We did the show before Christmas in Poland for a week and we had the crazy / stupid (delete where appropriate) idea for 3 of us to drive our van to Warsaw while the cast flew directly there. We have lots of props and instruments so the van was packed to bursting but the three of us turned the trip into a bit of a road trip across Europe which turned out to be amazing fun: From the organised pub crawl for 100 people in Berlin, to getting the key stuck in the ignition in Poznan, to having the van keys stolen from our pocket, to singing Karaoke in an all German bar in Hamburg; it was a very good trip!
7. What is your best advice for aspiring performers?
Just to get out there and do it really. We started small and grew and it has taken 6 years to get to where we are so stick by it, work with people you trust and believe in and do work that inspires and excites you.
8. Who is the person you most admire and why?
It’s a difficult question, as I admire various actors and directors but meeting Judi Dench and seeing her humility, dedication, support and friendliness has been a real highlight.
9. What are the best book or books you have read and why do you like them?
I like various but I’m a real fan of Haruki Murakami’s books (sounds quite pretentious but he’s great) and I liked “The God of Small Things” and “The Time Travellers Wife”. I think Murakami’s books are my favourite as they are very fantastical yet set in the real world – they are also written beautifully.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
That’s a deep question where I could say something like world peace or an end to injustice and prejudice or global warming or the horrors of famine and drought all very worthy but I’m going to say more water parks with free milk. I love milk. And water parks. And milk!
For more information about this talented theatrical team, do check out our interviews with Oliver Lansley, Writer, Performer and Artistic Director of The Terrible Infants.
