Cup on Strings, a new theatre based production company in Manchester hosted its debut play in the city centre.
Origin Story, a drama-comedy, stars Arden School of Arts graduates Ben Goulding, Callan McKernan, Alice-Marie Smith and Olivia Moulding. The play was performed for two nights between the 1st and 2nd February at arts venue 53two.
Written by Goulding and co-directed by Harry Roy Morris, the play follows Kurt as he seeks the familiar and predictable world of his favourite films and graphic novels through the belief that he is bulletproof while his friends Dan (McKernan) and Emily(Smith) desperately try to push him back to the reality of his break up with Ava (Moulding) and the loss of a family member.
Cup on Strings production was formed in October last year, announcing Origin Story as its premiere production in November. Rehearsals began in January over the course of four weeks.
Speaking to Quays News on the opening night, Ben describes Origin Story’s origin story.
“I graduated from drama school and there were some shows that we were going to put on that didn’t work out.” Ben says. “I was in a frustration of ‘I really want to act, I really want to do some work. I’m going to write my own show,’
“I think the idea came from me living with my flatmate and annoying him constantly with film and comic book references to high heaven. It’s not as extreme as it was in the play, obviously.”
Ben continues with the message at the centre of Origin Story. “Deep down this place is all about male insecurity. It’s all about the things we hide behind for personality’s sake whether it’s comic books or films or D&D. It’s mostly Americana, a culture that doesn’t even belong to us.”
Ben shared the first draft of Origin Story with his co-director, Harry and co-star Alice. After a series of chemistry reads, Callan joined the cast. “I just like being on stage,” Callan said after the opening night. “The more I’m on stage, the better. It keeps the [acting] muscles going.”
Theatre participation has dwindled over recent years due to the pandemic and the increased focus on film. The cast shared why it was important that Origin Story was on stage.
“In the industry we’re in, it’s easier for something to get put on stage than on screen.” Ben notes. “I feel like you can connect to these characters more when you’re sat there looking at the person who is this character.”
Alice agrees with the theatre’s unique connection to an audience. “The bare bones of theatre is that it’s for everybody,” she observes. “With theatre, it’s alive and electric. [Audiences] get to come, they get to participate, they’re in on the story. There’s something so intimate and special about theatre. Everything is more enhanced and I’m sure you feel that way as well being on stage.”
For more on Cup of Strings upcoming productions, follow them on their Instagram. For more on the events hosted at 53two, check out their website.