Beat comes to life in gritty police drama Award-winning immersive production was written by ex-cop
An award-winning theatre production will show the modern day police service laid bare to the people of Paisley.
Stand By, winner of the Fringe First Award 2017, is an immersive performance following four officers as they try to stay in control when their community begins to disintegrate.
The show, which comes to the Paisley Arts Centre on September 15, is unique, as Renfrewshire audiences will be made to experience the action from a police officers’ point of view.
Audience members are asked to wear single-earpiece headphones, as officers do, to immerse themselves in the experience as actors tell the story in a multisensory way.
To top it off, the authentic drama was written by ex- cop Adam McNamara, who also stars in the show.
On his inspiration for the show, Adam said: “Having spent seven years in the police, I was able to view my experience from an actor and writer’s point of view later on down the line.
“I always grew frustrated at the versions of officers portrayed on screen.
“I’m not taking away from how entertaining these productions are but having been someone who has worn a uniform I knew something was missing from those depictions both on screen and, consequently, on stage.”
The show follows the actors who have been called out to a domestic dispute which may turn violent.
They are on standby, waiting to enter a flat where a man is wielding a samurai sword.
The audience wait with them, experiencing the relationships forged through the stress of the job and the turmoil of being caught between following orders, protecting themselves, and serving the community.
Wearing their headphones, the public join the officers as they sit in a riot van, feeling and hearing their fears, thoughts and anticipations.
“Stand By is an accumulation of my experiences as a cop, actor and writer allowing the public to have a sneaky glimpse into the job – something which they may feel they know but don’t,” Adam added. This authentic, energetic and unique work went on tour following its huge success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year.
Director Joe Douglas said: “Adam’s perspective as a writer is unusual, as he knows what the job of a police officer is: the pressures, the mundanity, the admin mixed in with bursts of adrenaline.
“I am extremely excited about our single earpiece experiment – I don’t think this has ever been tried before onstage.
“I believe it will create a greater sense of empathy and draw the audience deeply into the world of the play.”
You can buy tickets for Stand By at the Paisley Arts Centre by phoning 0300 300 1210 or visit www.boxoffice.renfrewshire. gov.uk