In this short Q and A, writer and performer Racheal Ofori chats with Ali Pritchard , Artistic Director of Alphabetti Theatre. She discusses the process behind writing FLIP!, a satire which delves into the world of influencer culture.
The play explores the topical theme of social media and the impact of influencer culture? Why did you want to explore these themes?
I think we’re in a world of nonsense; where no one knows what’s real and what’s not. People literally make up their own facts and call them ‘alternative’, ‘my truth’ or if you’re lucky; ‘misinformation’. And when you put AI into the mix, it’s a perfect storm of confusion.
I was looking around and asking myself how do I satirise this in a fun way? Social media was the place to go: especially during lockdown when content became the new currency. I’ve been on social media less of late and remembered how much it doesn’t matter when you’re away from your screen. But when you’re there; oh it can be everything.
The play only has two characters – Carleen and Crystal. Can you explain a bit more about these characters and what their relationship to social media is?
Crystal really wants to be an influencing star. She doesn’t have it fully planned out but that’s her aim. She thinks she’s too much of a babe to waste her beauty in a conventional job. Carleen is less concerned about fame, but the possibilities of financial freedom that being online could offer are what draw her.
Crucially, this play is also a two hander. What was it like creating these characters and how did you go about delving into the culture of being online in 2023?
The characters are in their mid twenties. It’s a period when you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. Maybe other friends have succeeded straight out the gates of uni and you’re still figuring it out. Also with covid, I think this age range had to question more than anyone: what does it mean to work? I think that’s the backdrop in which I let the characters develop. The life structures that existed in the past around work, fulfilment and ideas of success – have all changed.
Jadesola Odunjo and Leah St Luce play Carleen and Crystal and the play is directed by Emily Aboud. What was it like working with the cast and creative team?
It’s cool. The first time I’ve written a theatre piece and not acted in it; letting other creatives bring it to life. So that’s been a very exciting part of my artistic journey.
FLIP! follows a long line of work which aims to explore the implications of social media and influencer culture. Where there any works that influenced the tone and style of the play?
I struggle to point to specific examples as I was influenced by loads of things. Podcasters, YouTubers, a musical I watched that was nothing to do with the topic; turns of phrase that became viral sensations; my mum trying to copy one of these slogans to sound cool – a solo show I watched years ago called: Sam, the good person. A world of things that influenced me.
If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?
I’m tall, I like greens: let’s go for a giraffe.