A dreamlike blend of music, nostalgia and the ghosts we should have given
up, “Lest You Forget” is a jazz-infused requiem, dedicated to the lives we could have
lived if it was all within our control…”, a historical, dramatic play created and written by
Tara Morgan and Chlöe Standen, two female writers of 22 years old hitting the stages with already a great recognition. The Blue Moon Theatre Company, supports new emerging talents, and has supported this project and their passion for theatre by strengthening their career as professional playwrights. “Lest You Forget” is a live music play set in London right after the Second World War, in 1946. The protagonist, Oscar, is recovering from the ashes at a convalescent home, ...blurred memories of a past life in Georgia stuck in his mind…. But, what is the price to pay after witnessing the worst horrors of mankind?
Alt have delved into this amazing story alongside with the writers:
Chlöe and Tara,could you tell us something more about “Lest You Forget”?
The play is not a story about the war itself but rather about the battles everyone was
left fighting afterwards. Plus, there’s live jazz music and dancing – it’s a story about people who want to live and are struggling to find a way to in a world dominated by death.
What were your intentions when you wrote it?
Chlöe and I have both been interested in the depiction of mental illness in theatre,
particularly period pieces as the attitudes and ideas about issues like depression and PTSD (which are explored in the play) were different, but they’re things that continue to affect people today. We wanted to write characters that seemed familiar but had obviously been affected by the perceptions of the time. And we wanted the opportunity to explore how people would respond to the immense pressure and trauma of war – both the soldiers and the people they leave behind. No one in the play is innocent but hopefully they’re all sympathetic as well.
Which would you say are its strongest themes?
I think one of my favourite parts about the play is how much of it is based on real life
and real people. This makes the whole thing incredibly raw. After creating “Love on Blue
Canvas, 1890”, we realised how exciting it was to watch a cast that was able to bounce off of each other so easily which is why we made this play an ensemble piece – the interactions and the love between them all is genuine. Also it has dancing and live music and that’s pretty cool.
What would you both like to achieve with “Lest You Forget”?
We want “Lest You Forget” to be the best it can be (…). It would be great to see the
play grow as a project into something beyond the Fringe and to meet more people who are as passionate about what we do as we are, to help us going forward.
“Lest You Forget” has had an impressive kick-off: things couldn’t go better.
Having premiered at The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar in July, the play was selected to participate at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the largest arts festivals in the world, which takes place at the Scottish capital every August since 1947 (actually).
Where: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Venue 231, 1b Royal Terrace (Jade Studio),
Edinburgh EH7 5AB ( this is an past event)
