By Jennifer Corcoran
In 2021, Paul James Green realised a long awaited dream as his play Grape Juice was performed at Southport Little Theatre. This month, you can see the next play he has brought from page to stage: I Did Something I Shouldn’t Have.
After the success of Grape Juice, PJ knew he wanted to write another play.
Throughout 2022 he worked on his next piece, I Did Something I Shouldn’t Have and the first read through took place in December 2022. As with Grape Juice, there have been some cast changes throughout the development process, but the play is ready for an audience.
From Thursday 12th October to Saturday 14th October 2023 you have three opportunities to see this tense drama. It will be performed at 7:30pm each night in the bar space.
It tells the story of the Parker brothers. Harrison, age 26 is played by PJ himself. He is the older responsible brother who has held the family together since the loss of their mother. He confides in a counsellor as he has to be the main adult at home.
Will, age 23, is played by Ollie Ridgeway – when we meet him in the play, he is having counselling due to things that happened in his childhood.
Sean, age 16, is played by Orlando Campolucci-Bordi. He is too young to remember their absent father, but his interest is piqued when he has to draw a family tree as a school project. Harrison suggests that he says he does not know who their father is, whereas Will becomes angry at the mention and storms out.
When Sean’s friend Max (played by Joseph Bigley) suggests Sean tracks his dad down on his own, the idea is too tempting. Vince Parker, played by Gary Simpson is a nastier character than Sean could have imagined so when he is confronted by his son unexpectedly, how will he react?
The play has been directed by Richard Michell. It will be Richard’s first project as director, he is usually acting in plays.
He has enjoyed bringing this piece together scene by scene, and cites his favourite memory so far as realising that they had something special when rehearsing a particularly dramatic scene.
Gary Simpson is no stranger to the role of actor or director – he is relishing the opportunity to play the bad guy and says audiences should come and see this play as it deals with important social issues.
When asked how he would sum the play up in three words, PJ said dark, dramatic and suspenseful.
If you want to learn more about the play and the cast visit their Facebook and Instagram pages. Tickets can be booked online or via the in person box office at the Little Theatre which opened on Monday 9th October.
Box office will be available 11am-2pm each day and from 6pm each night when there is a performance.
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