Theatre / Stranger Things
Preview: One Man Stranger Things, Redgrave Theatre
In this unique yet cannily zeitgeist-surfing offering, Canadian actor Charles Ross single-handedly recreates the action from season one of the Netflix sensation Stranger Things. Ross’ performance includes all the characters, dialogue, special effects, music and egos in one superb, upside-down show.
Charles Ross and collaborator TJ Dawe grew up in the 1980s, addicted to adventure movies. They went on to co-create a number of parody shows, including One Man Lord of the Rings and One Man Star Wars, which has been performed over 1200 times in more than 180 cities over four continents. Now they turn their attention to the Upside Down, the Demagorgon and that captivating quartet of paranormal-investigating teens, Dustin, Mike, Lucas and Will, and their enigmatic companion Eleven.
Ahead of his performance at Clifton College’s Redgrave Theatre on Sept 30, here’s Charles to tell us more.
is needed now More than ever
So… you’ve done One Man Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and now Stranger Things. How did this concept come about?
The constant risk of unemployment as an actor tends to embolden one to take risks making one’s own work. I started the Star Wars show to see whether audiences would be able to follow along. Lord of the Rings was the obvious follow up show.
Since then I’ve done a Batman show… and a Pride and Prejudice show.
Stranger Things is a greater challenge in that the source material is TV. There are more episodes to condense, more plot points to streamline, and unlike a movie or novel it has different reach to a different audience.
I imagine the shows are pretty physically and mentally demanding for you?
More demanding in some ways, others not so much. As one gets older one tends to be kinder to the body. The abuse I heaped upon myself in performing the Lord of the Rings show… I wouldn’t wish that on any performer. That being said, I still drop half a stone in sweat during the Stranger Things performance. I don’t seem able to pull back the energy.
Any particularly demanding/challenging moments?
The greatest challenge I found wasn’t adapting the Netflix series’ characters or scenarios, but deciding which plot points to gloss over. The Demagorgon was just too much to perform, and yet I still had to shave down its role.
Do you have a favourite character from Stranger Things, and why (mine is probably Dustin!)?
Dustin is seriously fun to perform. I love being Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) too. And Sean Astin (Bob Newby).
How close do you feel you get to the feel, the atmosphere of the original show? Or is your aim with these something quite different?
I’m aiming to be a parody and homage. The real deal and reasonably hand-drawn facsimile.
One Man Stranger Things Redgrave Theatre, Sept 30. For more info, visit redgravetheatre.com/event/2018/09/one-man-stranger-things/370
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