I loved the idea of doing something radical and helping save our industry
Fleabag’s Sian Clifford and Indian Summers actor Nikesh Patel tell MARION MCMULLEN about the friendship at the heart of their new ‘stage’ performance
When did you both meet?
Sian: Four years ago, coming up to five. (Laughs) I’ve an incredible memory ... something I like to tell people about a lot. I had just seen Nikesh on TV in Indian Summer and I was in LA in a bar and he just walked in and that’s how we met. Nikesh: It was funny. I met Sian before having seen Fleabag and I just thought ‘Who is this really cool person?’ Then I saw it and her incredible performance. We got on like a house on fire right from the start.
Did being friends help you during rehearsals for the online world premiere of Good Grief?
Nikesh: The rehearsals on Zoom were interesting. It felt like four dimensional choices.
We were not in the same space and had to block out where furniture and things would be and then I’d find I’d be standing on Sian’s head. SIAN:(LAUGHS) I seem to be making a habit of working with friends after Fleabag with Phoebe (Wallerbridge), but it definitely helped with this.
We were able to dive in, in a way that I don’t think would have been possible with someone I didn’t know. We’ve another project in the pipeline already.
You went on to film the play, which is written by Lorien Haynes, in a studio. How would you describe the production?
Nikesh: Sian has come up with a great word to describe everything. Sian: It’s plilm. It’s neither film nor theatre. It’s a hybrid, that’s why it’s so thrilling to be part of something that is so innovative and has been born entirely of this chaos.
It’s really thrilling, a bit of a brain maze, structured around the stages of grief. I always said it would take a lot to get me back on stage, but the play blew me away, I absolutely tore through it. It made me weep.
And I loved the idea of doing something radical and helping save our industry and to keep people engaged with the arts.
Have you missed anything important during the lockdowns?
Nikesh: I had friends who went through that hard process of finding that work they had been contracted to was not going to take place, particularly theatre work. I was auditioning and looking at what I was going to do next.
I was actually in the States and got back just as it became clear that the UK was going to be in lockdown and I thought ‘This is going to be tough’.
I also had tickets for Glastonbury last year and now it’s been cancelled again.
But Sian had her big Bafta win. Sian: The Bafta is on my shelf now. I’ve only recently received it. I had to collect it in person because the ceremony awards were online, so I got to see them putting the plaque on. Phoebe and I were both in the garden for the awards because we wanted a pretty background, but we couldn’t have two laptops side by side because of the feedback. She went to a friend’s house down the road that she had the keys for.
We had a few moments because it wasn’t live “live,” it was a bit pre-recorded, but the experience was live for us.
We sorted it out in time so I could deliver a speech. It was all really a bit unbelievable. (Laughs) It was suitably Fleabag in its nature.
What have you been doing during lockdowns?
Nikesh: I’ve gone through phases. I watched all of (American comedy) Schitt’s Creek in about a week and then felt a bit drunk from it all afterwards and thought ‘I’ve got to take a break. I think it’s been a time to reflect as well.
Sian: I’ve been making sourdough. It’s really easy, honest.
Nikesh: Oh, I was looking at doing vegan haggis.
Sian: I’ve enjoyed having some time to rest. I think I’m a positive person and I’ve made changes that I’m hoping to carry through the rest of my life.
I’ve changed my approach to saying yes and, more importantly, saying no to things. I’ve felt really connected to my community more and signed up the Red Cross. People are talking to their neighbours more through all these difficulties, which is almost unheard of in London.
I also do yoga and follow Adriene Mishler on Youtube. She does a 30-day programme every new year and I do online classes as well. There’s just something about being able to do a class with people from all over the world. It makes you feel connected and I think we all need that.
Online play Good Grief can be seen from February 15 until April 15. Go to originaltheatreonline. com for booking details.