Stockholm Resource Pack - Frantic Assembly

I only have eyes for you
Really early in discussions, probably years ago, myself and
Steven talked about those couples who drag you into their
world and implicate you as they unravel before you. They
would argue and look to you as the voice of reason that
would prove the partner wrong. This is a frustrating and
dangerous position to find yourself.
Initial thoughts about Stockholm suggested the audience
should feel dragged into this relationship in just the same
way. We even talked about how the audience might play a
'Relate councillor', constantly asked to comment on the
couples troubles but also attacked for interfering.
(I should point out the project was not called Stockholm
then. Early suggestions for titles included 'Treats' until it
transpired that it is, inexplicably, one of Steven's most
despised words! And for similar reasons and as long as I
have breath in my body you will never see a Frantic show
called 'More-ish' or 'Cornucopia').
Years later, when we returned to the project, our interest
had turned to Stockholm Syndrome and it suddenly felt
wrong for this couple to be so 'public' with their relationship.
The emphasis started to shift towards the denial of
the problem. We realised that their world is far more
insular than we first thought.
Within Stockholm Bryony has identified the problem.
Surrounded by views of stars both characters can still only
take in the near aspect. They effectively only have eyes for
each other.
Stockholm still reads like the protagonists are addressing us
throughout. At the moment we are resisting the temptation
to throw everything out to the audience. We like that clash
that occurs as it appears the character is talking to us but
cannot take his eyes off his partner. We like this
presentation of the power this has over them.
This fixation with the 'near aspect', their partner, their
home, is killing any rational objectivity. Even when they
appear to be seeing their relationship in a dangerous and
negative way they still return to each others gaze and find
it impossible to escape.
The practical dilemma we face is 'is this theatrically
interesting Will an audience just feel excluded and not
care about them'
We feel that the alternative (opening the performance out
into more frequent direct address) could create the
impression that the performance is hosted by the
performers or characters. It may appear flippant or smug.
We have actually toyed with this approach. Again, really
early on we thought it would be a virtue when we thought
our couple would want to discuss their relationship. As
Stockholm Syndrome began to inform the project more and
more it just started to feel wrong to open out to the
audience in such a way.
But the practical dilemma remains. We cannot afford to
alienate our audience. It will ultimately be about finding the
right balance between portraying their consuming obsession
with each other and making sure the audience feel they are
not being excluded. While this is in our minds now it will
not be solved until we can take a look at the whole story.
It will hopefully be a very late but minor fix.
Samuel James and Georgina Lamb
Photo Scott Graham
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