Thy Neighbour

I met up with the cast of “Thy Neighbour” early on Sunday morning in a relatively newly built neighbourhood not far from Homerton College. Charlotte Cromie has written and directed a new play coming to Pembroke New Cellars October 26-28.

‘No, we are not all in the same boat. And I’ll tell you why. Because we are not all drowning together.’

In the town of Crestyn, the British government is testing a new kind of democracy: every major decision in every citizen’s life that could possibly affect the community – taking local jobs, moving houses, marriage, divorce – must be voted on by the town. The power is entirely in the hands of the people.

Michele, a twenty-something Italian immigrant, and his adopted teenage daughter Daisy have finally escaped from Michele’s abusive partner Paolo, but Crestyn is unwilling to grant them a divorce. And when Daisy reveals that a frightening new obstacle has been thrown into their path, their fight to win over the anonymous judgement of their town becomes far more urgent.

Thy Neighbour is a dystopian parable about contemporary politics, reproductive rights, the amount of information needed to pass judgement, and whether, if given power over the lives of others, our decisions are motivated by love or hate.

(Text from Camdram)

‘Dear Mr Vecoli, I’m sorry to say that Crestyn has not voted in your favour. While we understand how disappointing this outcome may be, we urge you to remember the importance of democracy in all decisions that might affect those around you.’

‘To change the vote is to break the law. I’m afraid I cannot do that.’

‘Oh, and a liver transplant. Daisy? I had to vote on whether someone got a new liver.’

‘Do you want to deal? You can make sure I don’t cheat.’

‘I don’t know how I love you, not as a dad or a brother and not as a friend because you choose your friends. I don’t know what you are to me, but I do love you.’

‘They always argued in Italian so I couldn’t understand. My two dads, Michele and Paolo.’

‘I let my guard down for one night and it turns out you’ve been stabbing me in the back.’

To see more theatre photos, check the Theatre category on the blog.

Cast
Michele – Ed Paget
Daisy – Serena Macmillan
Dominic / Police Officer – James Coe
Sue / Hannah / Council Administrator – Grace England

Production Team
Producer – Gaia Fay Lambert
Writer / Director – Charlotte Cromie
Set Designer – Ben Martineau
Associate Director – Rachel Kitts
Publicity Designer – Ed Bankes
Stage Manager – Lisa Bernhardt
Carpenter – Lisa Bernhardt
Sound Designer – Ben Martineau
Trailer Designer – Thomas Warwick
Photographer – Johannes Hjorth
Photoshoot Host – Russell Fancourt