Preview: SUSU Theatre Group presents 'Posh'

SUSU Theatre Group put on a number of productions a year. They have previously performed ‘Equus’, ‘Love Song’ and ‘Henry V’ in the last year alone. Their next production, ‘Posh’ (by Laura Wade), which has recently been portrayed on the big screen as ‘The Riot Club’, opens on Wednesday. I spoke to director Caitlin Hobbs and producer Joe Buckingham about the production.

Photo Credit: Joe Buckingham

What led you to pick this play?

Caitlin Hobbs, Director: Posh is something that I’ve been interested in for a while since I read it, and since the film has just come out (Riot Club). It is something that interests me as my Mum worked at Eton and I grew up around that area so I know a lot of people that come from this background – they are annoying, so I really sympathise with the play. It really portrays the characters in quite a lot of detail without brandishing them as villains. The play is something that a university group can do because they’re all the right age.

Photo credit: Joe Buckingham

What is the show about?

It’s about ten boys known as ‘The Riot Club’ based on the real life Bullingdon Club who are at Oxford University. Some of them have got a lot of heritage and some of them have got a lot of money, but they’re all important and will go on to be influential. They meet once a term to have a dinner at a restaurant where they get very drunk leading them to smash up the room. They pay off the landlord – that’s their routine. However, this time it is their first meal back in business  that we see after about a year but this time things go a little bit too far.

Photo credit: Joe Buckingham

Is it a new play?

It was written by Laura Wade in 2010 and released at the Royal Court which supports new writing in London. It went to the West End in 2012 and had Game of Thrones, Kit Harrington as one of the characters. So it will be the first chance many people get to see this show outside of London.

Photo credit: Joe Buckingham

How difficult has it been to get the show together?

Joe Buckingham, Producer: It’s been quite different to other production jobs that I’ve done. Producing involves gathering all of the props and costumes and where previously that’s been a few fake flowers and a cardigan, this time it’s a massive turkey, swords and tail coats, so it’s been a challenge. However it’s going to look really good and so it’s definitely worth it.

Photo credit: Joe Buckingham

Why should people come to see the show?

It’s an exciting show, it’s very naturalistic, there’s no fancy theatrics. It’s like watching a scene from real life, so if you like dramas/soaps that are on TV it is basically that but happening five feet in front of your face. It’s a really funny, dramatic and thought provoking piece and so well worth a watch.

Posh runs this week at the Annex Theatre (next to the interchange on Highfield Campus) at 7:30pm each night between Wednesday the 29^th October and Saturday 1^st November.

Tickets are £8 full price, £6 Concession and £5 PA Members (with a valid PA Card from this year).

For more of an insight into the play check out the Posh Trailer. Reserve your tickets for the show here.