...and it's an award-winner

The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds is Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that Nottingham's Lace Market Theatre is tackling in its Studio Theatre during October. Director MICHAEL DARMOLA explains more

What is the play about?

The answer to this is two fold. First, it literally explains a science project that the protagonist Tillie is working on for high school. Secondly, the play itself revolves around the single parent dysfunctional family of the Hunsdorfers. Single, alcoholic, narcissistic, domineering mother Beatrice and her two teenage daughters Ruth, the brash elder and epileptic one and Tillie, the meek, shy and bullied younger one.

Have there been any problems in producing this play in a studio setting?

There have been a few. It is normally a main stage play with an elaborate set and the licence for the characters to smoke, at times incessantly, in the play. We addressed this and I think the audience will be surprised with what we've achieved.

Why did you want to direct this play?

I loved the play from the first moment I read it, plus it has three-dimensional female characters which are all well written. The mother character in particular is a seriously meaty role and the actors involved have really got into it. Also, despite not being so well known over here, it is a hugely influential play in the USA and is on school curriculums.

It was first produced in 1964. What has it got to say to today's audiences?

Despite it originally being produced in 1964 the themes are not topical to the period and are still relevant today – single parent families struggling to make ends meet, bullying and wanting to better oneself etc. This version in fact we've transposed to 1983 New York state and it hasn't made a difference. To be fair we could have even set it now. But the 80s being in vogue again, thanks in part to Stranger Things, we plumped for that era.

What have you and your cast most enjoyed about the rehearsal period?

The free-form two-way approach between actors and director which has made this a lovely collaborative production which is how I like to direct and produce a show.

Read the original article here.