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Michael Southan - Kerbs Interview

Kerbs, is a new play written by Michael Southan and premieres in February at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre. The piece is a co-production between the theatre and Graeae Theatre Company and forms part of the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 programme and runs in the B2 auditorium from Saturday 26th February to Saturday 5th March.

Kerbs follows Lucy and David who are dating or at least trying to. Facing first-date disasters, a few crossed wires, and Lucy's mum, what the pair really need is a bit of space, a bit of fun - and some independence. The pair escape for the weekend to a caravan park in Somerset where it's time for them to find out if their spark will finally catch, or burn everything to the ground.

Michael Southan. Photo Oliver Cross

Writer Michael spoke about the production. First talking about the piece in further details. "Kerbs is a rom-com about the blossoming of a relationship between Lucy and David, who are both disabled and wheelchair users. The story follows their journey to find intimacy and time alone with a getaway break to a caravan park in Minehead."

"The play explores taboos around sex, disability, and about the logistics of a romantic relationship when disability is a factor."

For Michael, his inspiration came from wanting to put a romantic piece together for people he could relate to. "I began by thinking about the love story genre, and how much space it has in our lexicon of narratives and where the stories about people who look like me were. It’s also important to say that you don’t often see stories with disabled characters where their sexual desires are such a big part of their motivation."

"A couple of years before writing Kerbs, I remember sitting down in front of the TV with my family and watching a scene with a wheelchair-using actor in it. The scene began in front of some steep stone steps. We couldn’t help but joke “I bet he had a nightmare getting his chair down there.” We laughed and then everyone turned around and said “you should write a play.”

"It stuck with me. The play gave me a chance to write about what navigating the world as a disabled person can be like."

Michael explained what inspired him to become a writer. "For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a fascination with words, language, and the rhythm of people’s speech. I grew up in a busy house with a large extended family who were often exchanging stories. There’s something lovely in seeing the joy in someone’s face as they tell a story."

"I used to harbour hopes of further actor training once I’d finished my drama degree. I’d written a bit in my student days but hadn’t put two and two together. During my final year, I got on to the one-act playwriting module. I really enjoyed it, got nice feedback, and the rest is history."

"In 2017, I started Graeae’s Write To Play development programme, with five other disabled writers - we’re all still really close! Kerbs was the play I began to write during that year and I’m so grateful for the support that Graeae have given me and the play over this time. I’m glad to have been a part of it."

Connection is at the heart of the show which is something Michael explained "A big theme in the show is connection and togetherness, which obviously is something that’s been so hard to keep in the past two years. I think all art can bring people together, specifically theatre with its reliance on people sitting together in a room having a shared experience.

"I’d also hope that other disabled people watching see themselves on stage and know that our stories, thoughts and desires are valid."

Talk turned to how Michael approached bringing the human side of sex between disabled people to the stage. "Sex between two disabled people isn’t often portrayed in film or on stage, so it’s great to see it starting to happen. How have you approached opening up that conversation?"

Disabled people have all kinds of relationships all of the time. The thing I keep coming back to is “what is the truth of this moment? What is the universal truth here? What can audiences hang their hat on here?” As with all plays, “what is it to be human?” It just so happens that these humans have disabilities.

The play is part of Coventry's UK City of Culture programme, which is something that excites Michael. "Working on the play, I’ve spent a lot of time in Coventry, and I’ve become extremely fond of the City and the people in it. I’m a Midlands boy at heart and the fact that I’m flying the flag for the region makes me very happy."

"I’m thrilled that Kerbs has found a home here, and whatever happens from here on out, I’ll always feel connected to the Belgrade and Coventry.

Finally, Michael summarised why audiences should come and see the production. "I think it’ll give people a great night out. With lots of comedy, spark and a dash of hope."

Kerbs premieres in the Belgrade’s B2 auditorium from Saturday 26 February to Saturday 5 March. Tickets are available by phoning the Box Office on 024 7655 3055 (phone lines open 10:30am – 2pm, Mon – Sat), or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are even cheaper.

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