Jake Mace
Childhood dreams, final goodbyes, and… clowning? We were certainly intrigued to see that combination on offer at this year’s Prague Fringe when we took a look at Neil Frost’s upcoming show The Door. So we grabbed Neil for a pixelated pilsner to discuss all things nostalgia, catharsis, sewing, and Malibu.
You can catch Neil Frost – The Door at Prague Fringe next week between the 29th May and 1st June. Tickets are available through the Prague Fringe Box Office.
Hi Neil! The Door takes us into a clownish performance exploring childhood dreams and final goodbyes – tell us a bit about what inspired the themes of the show.
Neil: In the 1980s, I spent considerable time with my grandparents at their house in Southern England. I loved dressing up in homemade costumes, and my grandmother documented this by taking photos. As an amateur photographer, she believed in the importance of a plain background. After my grandparents passed away, I found a vast collection of childhood photos in their attic, all with me standing awkwardly in costume in front of my Nan’s white kitchen door. This show is about that door.
Tell us a little bit about the process of creating the show and what you have been up to ahead of the show landing at Prague Fringe.
Neil: This piece is nostalgic and heartfelt, making it the most personal comedy show I’ve created, and the process of devising it has been incredibly cathartic. I’ve recreated the childhood costume from the photos I found at my grandparents’ house, so I’ve spent many hours sewing, despite not being particularly skilled at it. The show has been performed at the Edinburgh, Brighton and Adelaide Fringe FestivalS and received some wonderful reviews.
Tell us about your relationship to Prague and how the show has ended up at the Fringe this year.
Neil: I first visited Prague in 2015 with my solo show ‘Everything’s Possible, Nothing’s Available.’ I fell in love with the beautiful city and the incredible Fringe Festival, which led me to return in 2017 with the double act ‘The Establishment’ and again in 2018 with the clown show ‘Honky Bonk House of Horror.’ This year marks my fourth Prague Fringe, and I’m delighted to be back.
Fitting with the themes of our magazine, if your show was an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage (think cocktails, mocktails, shots, beers, be creative!) what would it be?
Neil: Malibu and coke, reflecting the show’s 80’s nostalgia as it’s the era’s quintessential beverage. Also, as a teenager, I mentioned to my Nan that I had sampled Malibu and coke; forever after she bought me a bottle at Christmas, even though I didn’t really like it. After she passed away, we discovered numerous unopened, dusty bottles of the horrible coconut flavoured liqueur in the drink’s cabinet.
You can catch Neil Frost – The Door at Prague Fringe next week between the 29th May and 1st June. Tickets are available through the Prague Fringe Box Office.
Phoebe Bakker
