FRR: We’re excited to interview Dylan Wright about his upcoming production. Please tell us about yourself and your production.
DHW: My name is Dylan Wright, and I am co-founder of Whispering Room Theatre, a new theatre troupe aimed at bringing lesser-known texts to Utah Valley. Our inaugural production is John Webster‘s Jacobean Tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi, which we will be performing next week at the Hive Collaborative in Provo. I direct the show, as well as act in it, leading a team of highly trained and very talented individuals who make up our ensemble. Post my training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, I am very passionate about bringing these dusty texts to light here in the valley. We perform by candlelight, using real beeswax candles to evoke the atmosphere that one would have experienced seeing it first performed in 1614 at the Blackfriars Theatre in London.
FRR: Tell us about the plot of The Duchess of Malfi.
DHW: The show follows the story of a young Duchess and her two brothers, both of whom demand that she never remarry and have children after the death of her first husband. Strong-willed, and fearlessly loyal to her soul, the Duchess disobeys. What follows is a knotty and violent story based on true events which occurred in the late 1400s. With themes of political corruption, consent, status, and love in the face of terror and adversity, The Duchess of Malfi will leave you in a whirlwind of thought as you exit the theatre.
FRR: Well, that definitely sounds interesting. If you had to describe the process of putting on this show with one word, what would it be and why?
DHW: Exploratory. We have created a rehearsal space interested in discovering rather than deciding. We have not settled for anything less than honesty in performance, and this has required us to investigate the text thoroughly.
FRR: I’m sure that adds to your performances in a positive way. Which, of course, enhances your audiences’ experience. What is the most interesting, wonderful thing you’ve learned while working on this production?
DHW: It does no good to consider dusty text “heightened”. It does wonders to consider it “deepened”.
FRR: I admire the deep exploration you’ve done with this work. What is your favorite aspect of this production?
DHW: My favorite aspect of this production is of course the intimacy in our performances. The relationships are clear, the text is clear, and therefore, the story is clear.
FRR: What is the biggest challenge of directing this show?
DHW: There is a heaviness to this piece, as with most Jacobean Tragedies. The challenge has been to find the hope, the joy, and the light.
FRR: It sounds like The Duchess of Malfi is an extremely interesting play! What are the surprises and delights you’re finding in directing this show?
DHW: That we’re very much the same as our ancestors. John Webster wrote about very real problems in a very real world, and in many ways, especially now, it mirrors our current political, religious, and inter-relational dilemmas.
FRR: What is your favorite set piece from the show?
DHW: Our beeswax candles that provide a gentle glow to the playing space.
FRR: That sounds magical! What do you do right before each performance to get ready?
DHW: Improvised singing as an ensemble.
FRR: So tell us how we can attend your interesting and wonderful production.
DHW: The Duchess of Malfi plays at the Hive Collaborative, 290 W 600 S, Provo, UT 84601. We are performing Nov 19-23, 2024 at 7:30 PM. Tickets: $23
Front Row Reviewers wants to thank you, Dylan, for spending some time with us. Good luck with The Duchess of Malfi! It sounds like it’s going to be something different and marvelous for your audiences.
Whispering Room Theatre Instagram
The Duchess of Malfi Facebook Event
Interview on YouTube
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