On a night of drug-fuelled robbery, two young men find themselves hiding out on a rooftop in small town Ireland. As they wait out the police guard, a quiet tragedy unfolds of those left behind by a nation’s jagged progress. They’re also in love. ​ Carly spoke with actor Elijah Williams about his upcoming role in this exciting new work, and why audiences absolutely must get a ticket to this work. Have a read of the full interview below:
Elijah Williams
Aside from a fantastic title, what can you tell us about the shows and what can audiences look forward to? Why is this new work so important for 2019 audiences to attend and why has it, in your opinion been deemed a ‘must see’ show? I’ve always been an advocate for diversity in theatre and this story focuses on two people who identify as different and it holds a mirror up to their society. Also, seeing this show is important because it highlights what a collective of dedicated people can do, when they come together to bring something to light. This is the Australian premier of this show – how has it been working on it and what initially attracted you to the show? What is your process in developing this character and his background? I was attracted to the team behind the show. I heard a lot about Warwick’s work and Stupid Fucking Bird, and I wanted the experience to work with him. In terms of process, the vision is in Warwick’s mind very clearly so the rehearsal room has been about talking through this and interpreting it through my own lens. That being said, a lot of the character development we did was through exercises in the room with Warwick, and I learnt a lot about myself as an actor and how to build emotional complexity in a character. What challenges have you as a team faced in bringing the show to life and in developing this work for Australian audiences? The accent! Working with two distinctly different accents on stage is interesting. Also accepting the harsh realities and circumstances in which the story is set. Confronting that personally, and figuring out how to present and honour this context has been challenging. Do you find that something about the characters that you play stay with you beyond the show’s run? If so, what will stay with you about this show and your character well after the show closes I feel like I have made amazing friends through this process, and you don’t come across people like Eddie and Warwick who are so passionate and unapologetic about what they do. They work hard. Everyone in this team is a beautiful soul, and I have appreciated the opportunity to not only work with them but get to know them. I also hope that parts of the character stay with me, that I can learn something from his life. To go with your gut feeling and be open to the possibilities of love, to go with what you want without regarding pressures from society. In the last couple of years you have developed quite a few new characters and really burst on to the Sydney acting scene. What can you tell us about this time, how you begin your process finding a new character and what is really important for other new actors trying to break into the scene to remember Surround yourself with people that want to see you succeed and have your best interests at heart. Also don’t get sucked into the perception that it will come easy if you’re good, because it doesn’t. if it was easy everyone would be doing it. RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS Favourite production you have ever seen? Everyone that jumps on a stage is pouring their heart and soul into it, so I can’t pick one. You’re getting on a plane tomorrow and you can go anywhere in the world, where do you go? I’d go back to Africa. Dream role to perform? Tom Robinson from To Kill a Mockingbird. Plays or musicals? I LOVE musicals. A hobby you have beyond the theatre? Competing in Track and Field What’s next for you after this show?  Unearth more stories that society needs to hear. ​ If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You opens February 13 at Kings Cross Theatre. You can get your tickets here.