Any show that has Bruce Springsteen as one of its themes is one that will always make me stand up and pay attention. But Queer in the U.S.A isn’t a simple tribute to one of the 20th Century’s musical icons it’s a lot deeper, warmer, and important. The play focus’s on Johnny, a teenager, who is trying to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Bruce Springsteen, but homophobia, his high voice, and his own sense of identity proves stumbling blocks in Johnny’s quest.

I really can’t understate how powerful and story like Johnny’s can be and Manuel Simmon’s, the playwright & performer, has created something that will not only open eyes but create discussion on such a salient issue in our society. This play has toured the US and has been very warmly received and Camden Fringe has truly got themselves on breathtaking show with Queer in the U.S.A.

This is one of the nicest interviews we have ever done on TNC and Manuel’s passion, drive, and love of theatre is clear in every word he says, for him bringing his show to London is something of a homecoming and we really hope London welcomes him with big open arms!

How have things been going, you all done and dusted for the summer shows or are there still some creases to iron out?

Touring QUEER in the U.S.A., across the United States (from coast to coast including New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco) and preparing to come to London, is an exciting, nail-biting, triumphant and wondrous journey (sort of like the play itself)! It’s always a challenge to bring a play to new places and new theatres. The larger the festival, the more quickly your team needs to work together to get the sound, lighting, and other technical elements plotted into each new space. As a performer, it’s so important to make the space your own, to get comfortable in the space, and to fully “take the stage,” as they say. But, you have to acclimate quickly!

At the same time, it is so exciting to experience how the show lives in each new theatre and each new community. We spend many hours of many days, literally, walking through the neighborhoods of every city and community we visit–getting to know the people who live and work there, meeting business owners, taking in the works and performances of fellow artists and supporting their projects, getting our posters and postcards out there, and learning the overall lay of the land. It takes effort and energy, but it is so gratifying to connect with and support each new community we are fortunate enough to be welcomed into.

What has made you want to do the Camden Fringe?

The Camden Fringe (founded/produced by Zena Barrie and Michelle Flower) was such a great opportunity for QUEER in the U.S.A. because it’s a supportive and professional environment that allows us to bring the show into a bustling, diverse community in one of the world’s greatest cities. Yet, it does not require enourmous amounts of time and money to participate–perfect for independent artists!

My whole life, I’ve dreamed of bringing a show to London–one of the birth places of the modern theatre. The Etcetera Theatre, where QUEER in the U.S.A. will run, is a pub theatre; this follows the tradition that was in place when Shakespeare arrived on the London scene in the Elizabethan era. So, what could be better? In a sense, it’s a true people’s theatre, bringing performances into the places where communities naturally congregate–in and around the pubs!

Do you ever get nervous?

Always. And I’m thankful for it. When channeled into performance energy, the nerves are very useful; they help you communicate and reach out to the audience. In QUEER in the U.S.A., the nerves are particularly helpful because the gay teenager (Johnny) who is the hero of the story is very nervous at the start of the play. He’s facing bullying and taunting at school and he’s not sure where or how to find his own voice, to find the courage to stand up and say, “This is who I am.” His dream is to sing like Bruce Springsteen, but he’s got inner and outer demons to battle if he wants to rock it out like The Boss!

Have there been any obstacles in producing this show?

In the arts (and probably most arenas) there is always a need for more time and more money. But, I’ve also noticed that when you step out on a limb and dare to reach for your dreams and goals, the help and the resources show up–in various forms. But, you have to recognize it! Taking thoughtful and heartful action towards your goals becomes like a magnetic force.

What was the best feedback you got from your audience or the press?

There have been so many wonderful comments and insights that audience members have shared. People have said they felt their experience at the play was transformative. That floored me, because my ultimate goal is for an artwork to widen and transform our perspectives and, perhaps, even our possibilites for ourselves and for our communities.

Another beautiful remark was made by the Washington, DC theatre website, DCTheatrescene.com, which said the show is, “overflowing with joy, humor, and hope, all wrapped up in the gifted performance of The Boss — Manuel Simons” Wow, to be compared to Bruce (who is sort of my muse for this play), that’s just mad-cool!

What was the Best and Worst shows you’ve played?

Hard to pick favorites, but New York was amazing because there were lots of young adults (as well as older adults) in the audience. I think the young people relate in a special way, and they are very vocal–if they like you, they let you know! There was a standing ovation, which was lovely. Then, there was a post-show discussion, which is such a great thing–to be able to engage immediately with the audience and discuss the themes and issues in the play.

Our challenging show was in Ohio–it’s middle-America and folks are a bit more reserved there, especially when it comes to themes some might consider controversial or loaded (you know…sex, drugs, and rock and roll!). In the end, though, this was also a gratifying experience because the show was especially eye-opening for the audience. As I talked with people afterwards, I learned that they loved the play and it meant a great deal to them.

What can people expect?

A great play! A real play–a journey that is dramatic and humorous and has something meaningful to say!

Any new tricks up your sleeves?

A magician never reveals his secrets…at least until after the show! I will say that several aspects of this show are uniquely fun from a British point of view. Even though it’s called QUEER in the U.S.A., the U.K. is very much a part of this show–there’s so much about the U.S. that has been shaped by its early ties to Great Britain! That’s all I’ll give away. You’ve got come see it to experience the juicy details!

Who has been an inspiration to you?

My partner of 15 years, the man of my dreams, Andrew Brown. His love, his support, his wisdom and creativity inspire me every day–artistically and personally. …That’s the mushy, gooey truth! I must also mention the incredible support of my director, the very talented, Chrissy Moore. Her artistry and vision have helped to guide and shepherd this show into existence. She has been an amazing supporter, friend, and colleague throughout this entire process. I could not have done this play without the support of these two wonderful people!

The Faux-Real Theatre Company (fauxreal.org) and the support of its Artistic Director, Mark Greenfield have been vitally inspiring for the production of this play. All of my fellow company and Board Members at Faux-Real have been huge champions of this project; I am very grateful to them.

There are also many artists and heroes that have inspired me, too. People like Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Harvey Milk, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frida Kahloo, Keith Haring, Elie Wiesel, Tony Kushner, Michael Moore, Eve Ensler, James Lecense and The Trevor Project, and many others. There are amazing people to look up to in this world. But, you have to actively look for your heroes and keep them in mind, because the mainstream media seems to constantly shove the villains in our faces. Finding your own role models and heroes is one of the themes in QUEER in the U.S.A., and I think it’s very important.

What advice have you been given, and what advice would you give someone bringing a show to Camden Fringe?

First, believe in your project and in yourself. Don’t let the bastards get you down (in anything you do)! Then, be sure to make lots of friends in London and in Camden–network, get out there, and talk to people–they are your audience. And, always, remember to have fun!

• Thu 12 Aug 2010, 10:30pm Etcetera Theatre
• Fri 13 Aug 2010, 10:30pm Etcetera Theatre
• Sat 14 Aug 2010, 10:30pm Etcetera Theatre
• Sun 15 Aug 2010, 10:30pm Etcetera Theatre

Critically-acclaimed comedy group The Intimate Strangers return with a brand new show of fast paced sketches with an unusual take on Romeo & Juliet, hard-hitting cop show ‘Brit Cops’ and the spectacular ‘Cult – The Musical’, which is definitely not about Scientology.

“A thing of beauty, smart, funny and original” Remotegoat
“Hilarious! Loved it!” Oxfringe

Their show takes place between 27^th-29^th August at 6pm at the Etcetera Theatre.

How have things been going, you all done and dusted for the summer shows or are there still some creases to iron out?

We’re just starting rehearsals now so it’s all very exciting. The script is good though so we’re fairly confident.

What has made you want to do the Camden Fringe?

We’ve been performing at the Camden Fringe for the last three years. The Etcetera Theatre is our favourite London venue and the entire fringe has a great atmosphere to it. We love the audiences we get there.

Do you ever get nervous?

Of course, all the time. If we weren’t nervous there would be something terribly wrong…

Have there been any obstacles in producing this show?

We’re filming a television sitcom pilot straight after the fringe so mostly it’s trying to organise both at once! Luckily we’re big fans of early heart attacks so that’s ok.

What was the best feedback you got from your audience or the press?

Mark Gatiss told us to change the name of our sketch group once (we did). We didn’t mind, we were just excited to meet Mark Gatiss. Audiences tend to be lovely. In Oxford we have an elderly couple who come every year to see us and are huge fans. Oh and a press reviewer once compared us to Monty Python. She clearly has impeccable taste.

What was the Best and Worst shows you’ve played?

We had a disaster show one night at the Camden Fringe the year before last; everything went wrong and it was horrendous. The best shows were probably at this year’s Oxfringe. The audiences were fantastic and we were performing our best material to the best of our abilities.

What can people expect?

At least a hundred laughs or your money back.

Any new tricks up your sleeves?

Spoilers! But yes. Lots of surprises. And some flashy costume changes and effects. We’re abusing the budget terribly. I pity our accountant.

Who has been an inspiration to you?

Lots of people but especially The League of Gentlemen and Mitchell & Webb. Julia Davis as well.

What advice have you been given, and what advice would you give someone bringing a show to Camden Fringe?

Don’t bother flyering too much – Camden High Street is not the place for that. But put up lots of posters and tell all your friends. And never underestimate the power of Facebook. Facebook is your friend

How have things been going, you all done and dusted for the summer shows or are there still some creases to iron out?

Actually we’re still at the rehearsal stage, although the narrative has to include up to the point of the performance I’m doing, so it’s going become a tricksy process, we (me and my director Mischa Resnick) have got it all under control though.

What has made you want to do the Camden Fringe?

It’s brilliant because for a small fee you can get a run on a stage and it’s open to everyone and you can put on what you like, I think it appeals to my socialist tendencies.

Do you ever get nervous?

I have an anxiety disorder, so, all the time hehehehe, but irony of ironies never when I am on stage.

Have there been any obstacles in producing this show?

Well it all falls on me as it’s ‘a one man show’, so getting up in the morning and putting my clothes and face on properly, is half the battle love. You don’t mind me calling you love?

What was the best feedback you got from your audience or the press?

Erm…to paraphrase Stephen Fry ‘I can never remember anything nice said about me, but always the horrible things people say about me’.

What was the Best and Worst shows you’ve played?

Best: An Anti-Pantomime at Lighthouse: Poole’s Centre For The Arts, I played the Dame Widow W*nky; went down very well.

Worst: ‘The Golden Bodge’ At Glasgow University.

What can people expect?

An honest, unflinching and self-lacerating performance with a bit of nudity, puppetry, songs and nuisance phone-calls. It will leave you with a feeling that wont go away no matter how hard you try.

Any new tricks up your sleeves?

Is that a reference to self-harm, because if it is….

Who has been an inspiration to you?

Oh, I idolise and emulate everyone from Tony Benn to Anais Nin, and everyone in between – the show has a lot of that nonsense in it.

What advice have you been given, and what advice would you give someone bringing a show to Camden Fringe?

Just do whatever you want to do, and get it ready with lots of time to spare to advertise, don’t sell yourself short and be as ambitious as possible, what’s the worst that can happen? And sex it up a bit

There is little I need to say about this Camden Fringe show and the guys with their interview being one of the best we have ever done. Their show is a MUST SEE, the guys where ace to take the time and effort to to do this interview and we think your going to like the sound of their show. Expect music, comedy, and some stand up and these Camden Fringe newcomers are also aiming to get their comedy single into their chart , so we think these guys are pretty special!

How have things been going, you all done and dusted for the summer shows or are there still some creases to iron out?

Chris – We are just putting a final polish on the show at the moment.

Thom – It’s all coming together quite nicely.

Graeme – I think, whatever the show, we would be working right to the end in order to give the audience the best show possible.

What has made you want to do the Camden Fringe?

Chris – Thom came to us with the idea one day. We had worked with him before on podcasts and other projects and it seemed like something worth doing.

Thom – I think I spotted it somewhere must have been about a year ago, probably last august when it was last on and read a bit about it, I think the idea of fringe festival where you don’t need to have any acumen or experience you just pay the fee and perform really appealed. So I pitched it to Chris & Graeme last autumn and we got pretty serious when we came to apply in January and even more serious when we had to pay for it come March.

Graeme – I think we have all had, throughout our lives, ambitions or desires to perform and make people laugh and, through this show I think we will.

Do you ever get nervous?

Chris – I think it’s natural to get nervous before a show

Thom – If you speak to any performer I think they would say they get nervous

Chris – Especially in comedy as there is chance this could be a massive victory or something greeted with silence. There is no way to know.

Thom – With theatre it’s easier as the audience is largely passive but with comedy the feedback is immediate.

Chris – And there is no way to know if what you are performing will be well received when you are performing it for friends’ family and to yourself.

Have there been any obstacles in producing this show?

Thom – We are all students so we have had to attend to that.

Graeme – A lot of it is just logistical issues of being distant away from each other as such finding it harder to communicate, but then the nuggets we worked on our own have been very productive to group as a whole..

Chris – Thanks.

Graeme – It’s alright.

What was the best feedback you got from your audience or the press?

Thom – It may seem stupid but when I saw the article in the Londonist where we were mentioned in their Camden Fringe preview I felt quite pleased, because no one knows us I really felt scared we would be over looked. I think for a sizeable blog to actually look at all the shows and to pick out ours as something worthwhile is a great thing.

Graeme – Hopefully people will come to the show with an open mind and chance an arm on us.

What was the Best and Worst shows you’ve played?

Graeme – I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience on stage, I tend to not perform anything which I don’t have faith in and amuses myself and, as such, whatever happens if the audience doesn’t care at least I’ve had a good time on stage.

Thom – Seems fair enough.

What can people expect?

Thom – I don’t think any one else has the variety of stand up sketches and songs this year, it’s basically been that from day one I wanted to do so many things with this show.

Graeme – As not limiting the show to one tradition or another.

Thom – See, the great thing about this method is that sketches are so hit an miss you like some, you may like others less but by keeping the pace up we can hopefully hit more than we miss.

Graeme – Humour is such a subjective thing but this show really accepts that. I mean in a way the show harks back to variety shows almost a vaudeville sensibility .

Chris – I think the subject matter is closer to vaudeville than Saturday night entertainment.

Graeme – Like a ritaline-addled stepchild of Morecombe and Wise.

Thom – That’s a good way of putting it. I think they can expect a really lively and energetic show. I have been saying this allot but most fringe shows it is assumed that it’s better if it’s just two guys talking around a table or a hour long monologue or whatever.

Graeme – There is good comedy to be had in that but I think we believe giving the audience all we got and that means all singing, all dancing quite literally.

Any new tricks up your sleeves?

Thom – Since the show is all-new we have very long sleeves to contain all our ‘new tricks’. But seriously, the way we’re pacing the show is quite something as in amongst all of our sketches are these big set pieces. Some are songs, some are anarchic stand-up, we want the audience to leave with some particular great moments to remember.

Who has been an inspiration to you?

Chris – We‘ve got lots of different inspirations.

Thom – I’m going to have to say, for sketches, Fry and Laurie. It was a mainstream show but also surreal and quite surreal and witty at the same time. And Flight of the Conchords musically, even as clichéd as it sounds, as they are the masters of modern comedy songwriting.

Chris– For me stand up comedians like Richard Pryor and Eddie izzard have always been an inspiration, as well as more political acerbic satirists like Jon Stewart and Bill Hicks.

Graeme – I have a personal love of the work of Chris Morris especially for his construction of language. I think he’s got a great ear for surrealist language. Recently I got into Tim and Eric, although I can’t say Tim and Eric have come through too much in the show, but the thing with them is that it’s nice to watch their episodes and realise that comedy can be anything you want it to be, often their humour is hidden beneath 20 layers of Dadaist and performance art techniques. It’s hard to explain to anyone why it’s so funny, it seems to exist on a subconscious level half the time.

Thom – I think we’ve all had a good comedy in-take from an early age.

Graeme – I think python is our childhood.

Chris – Yeah certainly.

What advice have you been given, and what advice would you give someone bringing a show to Camden Fringe?

Graeme – I have always heard to keep to it short in terms of sketch and joke length I think that is inherent to the nature of the Camden Cringe.

Thom – Basically if you don’t like this sketch then don’t worry in a minute there will be another one.

Chris– Although there are plenty of Pinter style awkward pauses.

Graeme – Of course.

Thom – Probably the best advice we could give people is to just do what you want to do.

Graeme – At the end of the day people will come see the show. If you’re lucky some of them may remember you, but it will be you who in ten years will look back at this so if you do something you fully enjoyed you can sleep soundly knowing if no one really cared at least I had a fun time hanging out with my friends making a comedy show.

Thom – And that’s the best any one can hope for.