Introducing GOOD BOY by James Farley.
We are so incredibly proud of the team behind it. Not only is this the first play ever written by James, but it was also one of the plays produced across our 12-month writer development programme. James was one of four writers commissioned as part of The Writers’ Collective 2023, alongside the fantastic Nilgin Yusuf, Akshay Sharan and Lizzie Milton. And following further growth, it it showing as part of the Camden and Edinburgh Fringe. Congratulations!
We caught up with James during a break in rehearsals to find out how it’s going…
(MRS C) Hello James! Are you ready to be put in the hot seat?
(JAMES) Slay.
(MRS C) What does Boy have for breakfast?
(JAMES) Oats. If you know, you know.
(MRS C) Describe Good Boy in 3 words.
(JAMES) Hilarious. Horny. Horrifying.
(MRS C) Who is James Farley?
(JAMES) I am an actor and a debut writer originally from Staffordshire and now based in London. I trained at the Manchester School of Theatre where GOOD BOY is set. I am also an avid gamer, currently playing as a half-wood elf Druid in Baldur's Gate 3.
(MRS C) Why now? Why this? Why you?
(JAMES) I think there is a hunger to see people reclaiming their trauma and the response to shows like BABY REINDEER and I MAY DESTROY YOU reflect that. I think what it has to say about patriarchal power dynamics in sex and relationships is universal and transcends sexuality. I am also very proud of myself as a queer, working class and neurodivergent artist putting on my own work taking something which changed the course of my life forever and turning it into something positive and entertaining.
(MRS C) How do you want your audience to feel leaving? Treat us, describe it in a colour & a texture.
(JAMES) I hope people feel empowered by it: I've discovered reclaiming your trauma and trying to find the funny is the best healing tool and I hope audiences will feel the same way (whilst they're on the waiting list for therapy).
(MRS C) Big dreams for Good Boy?
(JAMES) The Fringe version of GOOD BOY is only a glimpse of the absolutely wild stories I have accumulated over the years and there are more aspects and sides to Boy I would love to explore in an expanded version, or perhaps, in a different medium. We have already had keen interest from a few theatres so GOOD BOY's future is already promising.
(MRS C) Thank you James! We hope that wasn’t too sizzling a moment for you! We will let you get back to your well-deserved break now. Final question… what’s on the tea break snack menu today?
(JAMES): A bowl of steam (for the folds).
(MRS C) Mmmm delicious…?