Describe Delicacy in three words.
Scabrous. Domestic. Dark.
What inspired you to write the play?
I’ve always been inspired by the blackly comic plays of Martin McDonagh and wanted to write something that brought elements of horror into a very domestic, relatable setting. But, overall, the idea came from — and this is very random — watching a documentary on Russia’s Toughest Prisons. It was an interview given by an inmate and, I don’t want to give away the game, but before the guy was locked up he duped his neighbours into doing something awful — something they’ll have to live with the rest of their lives. It was just a throwaway moment, but I HAD to try to understand what happened to this family afterwards. So, the Gibsons were born as a way of exploring that.
The Gibsons are a tad dysfunctional… based on anyone you know?
The family aren’t strictly based on anyone I know, but there are definitely traits in each of them that I identify with (only the good ones, of course.) The idea was to present a seemingly normal family who view themselves as ‘good people’, then slowly chip away at this facade under the intense pressure of the media spotlight. Their behaviour becomes, at best, questionable, and in many eyes, immoral. But, if it means the family stay together, maybe it’s worth it in the end.
Who’s your favourite…?
It has to be Amber. A misfit who struggles to keep friends and has a penchant for funeral photography (why is this not a thing??). She’s the innocent teenage daughter caught up in all of this, and she’s also the one who goes on the biggest journey, culminating in the most unconventional of teenage rebellions.
What do you want the audience to talk about in the bar afterwards?
For sure, I’d hope that the audience go away and talk about the final scene. It’s quite a shocking moment, but also touching at the same time. It’d be great if people were debating whether the Gibsons did the right thing. What happens in the final scene, you say? You’ll just have to come along to find out.
Have you had any cottage pie since writing this play?
Absolutely not. I was very suspicious of it in the first place.
Any advice for playwrights writing their first play?
The ‘debut’ is a myth. Your ‘first play’ to get staged will very likely not be the first play your write. It’s often people’s sixth, seventh — we just don’t get to see the others. So, don’t worry if the first play you write isn’t the bees knees. It’s a process and you’ll get better at it each time. Plus, only send your work to peers for feedback after you’ve put in a few drafts. My ‘first draft’ that people see is often my second or third. It’s tempting, but they’ll appreciate it and you’ll get better notes.
Delicacy by Mark Jones runs 7th – 11th May