Writer Chris Harris talks GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE; his entry for 'A Crappy Scratchy Christmas' - our festive, immersive Scratch Night...

OH, I WISH IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY

...is a saying that frightens me. In fact, the impulse for GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE (a short play written for this years immersive Christmas scratch night event) were these very lyrics. It intrigues me that if it was indeed Christmas everyday then every shop would be closed, thus we wouldn't be able to be the provisions that we need. Turkeys would be slaughtered by the millions. We would exhaust ourselves of all our Christmas resources.

I guess the Westernised traditions of Christmas would have to undoubtedly change radically.

Paul and Claire are a couple who have wished for it to be Christmas every day. A year later, Paul is still happy enough to sit at the breakfast table in a paper crown and enjoy the festive cheer. Claire, on the other hand, is quite ready to kill herself.

I guess writing for Christmas brings up old ghosts. Those hallmark images that we know of Christmas are continuously repeated because of the warm feeling that we get from them - just as we religiously watch our favourite Xmas films every December. However, it's all about examining what Christmas means to that current audience. Christmas can't be an Anderson shelter. It can't be a way of shying away from the issues that indeed every other day of the year brings.

GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE evokes that consumerist spirit that Christmas brings that brings joy to our hearts and to our bank accounts. I can't wait to share the stage with these fantastic playwrights. I can't wait to see it flourish. It's pretty mad.

C.H

Chris lives and works in South Wales and is an associate artist of No Boundaries. He is the recipient of the 2016 Richard Carne Playwriting prize following tuition with Brad Birch at the Sherman Theatre. He was successfully chosen for their playwriting programme TAITH in February. In March, he will be working with Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch in developing a new play for young audiences. He particularly loves the annual Christmas food shop and can't wait to spend warm hours circling the Radio Times again this year (with a pen, not on his feet).

No Boundaries
presents
A CRAPPY, SCRATCHY CHRISTMAS
at the Cathays Cons. Club
on 14th December

Views: 120

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of National Theatre Wales Community to add comments!

Join National Theatre Wales Community

image block identification

© 2024   Created by National Theatre Wales.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service