The comedian and Sam Curtis Lindsay spoke to DIVA as Hackney Showroom approaches its 10th anniversary
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE BY CLAIRE HAIGH
All the world’s a stage, but it’s a well-known fact that some stages are more accessible than others. The world of theatre can often feel quite elitist for audiences and creators alike. For performers, writers and anyone else trying to make theatre their living, there is a constant obstacle in the way traditional practices and storytelling, the kind that favours a wealthy, white, cis-heteronormative world, reign supreme. But not at Hackney Showroom.
The grassroots theatre organisation has been championing diverse voices for a decade. It started in a big warehouse space and a bank loan co-director Sam Curtis Lindsay got by pretending he was doing a kitchen renovation, and grew into the driving force behind big, bold and accessible productions. In the run-up to its 10th anniversary celebrations, DIVA sat down with Sam and one of Hackney Showroom’s brand new patrons, Jayde Adams, to talk about the organisation’s legacy.
Jayde, how did you come to be a patron of Hackney Showroom?
Jayde: It all started when I met a denim-clad homosexual gentleman in Dalton Superstore. This was in 2011. I was sort of telling everyone I was a comedian but not really doing any comedy. I needed to do work-in-progress shows, and I needed to get the show together.
In 2016, Hackney Showroom had just opened and Sam said, “Do you want to come and do a preview?” I worked on putting it together and sort of turned up with my suitcase. Not only did Sam give me a space to perform, but he and Nina, the other co-director, gave me space to rehearse in. That is massively helpful to any performer who’s putting on live work. The entire process was facilitated.
Now, with my patronage – I was honoured to be asked. When I got to London back in 2011, I found a lot of shut doors and a lot of situations where I had to do a lot to get any sort of help or guidance. I’ve been treated quite badly in some aspects of my job. But there is a level of genuine care and consideration for performers that I haven’t seen in many other places. If people don’t encourage this sort of theatre, we’re going to lose a lot of heart and soul.
Sam, what does it mean to have Jayde as a patron?
Sam: What’s so beautiful is that we started years ago and wanted to do something good. Jayde was there from the beginning, previewing her shows and rehearsing in our building. Jayde has gone on to do incredibly well, and I’m so proud that we played a little part in that journey. It means everything and is a beautiful full-circle moment that she’s a patron.
I think it’s interesting that you talked about not knowing where the door is, Jayde. What I’m most proud of is the way we work together. Sometimes it feels like decisions are being made without true care or consideration, but I really hope artists feel like we support them and if we don’t know where the door is, we’ll find it and keep knocking until it opens.
Jayde: I don’t think people realise how involved Sam and Nina get with artists. These guys provide bespoke packages to meet the needs of their artists.
This is so interesting because queer voices and working-class voices have always been at the heart of theatre, yet they’re still not as visible as those who “know where the door is”.
Jayde: All the best stories come from people who have experiences that you have no idea about. The more you encourage people from all different walks of life to become great storytellers, the better stories you get. And you’ve got to do it in a way that actually helps them get their words out. Hackney Showroom supports diverse talent and I hope that every other venue sees this format and copies it.
Sam: Sometimes artists are precluded from being involved in some of the decisions. I know a lot of the artists we work with have a really strong visual sense and usually, a team would come up with artwork and that would be it. Whereas we let them decide how it needs to feel and look. We demystify the process of making work so that you have the information and resources you need to know what to ask for next time.
Jayde: That’s key. I learned how to put a show on from the opportunity Sam and Nina gave me.
You can get tickets for the Hackney Showroom fundraiser raffle here.
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