Lily Bevan talks about Zoo

This week at VAULT Festival, Lily Bevan presents Zoo, her inventive comedy drama of heroism, feminism and a woman trying to trap 47 flamingoes in a urinal. Lily tells Theatre Bubble what audiences can expect and why the Vaults’ atmospheric spaces are the perfect setting for the return of her two-hander.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a writer, actor and director & I trained at Rada. I often write about animals. I like new plays and great characters for women. I also like 80s music, cardigans and Scandinavian furniture.

What can audiences expect from Zoo?

‘Zoo’ is a play about ‘climate change’ both in the weather and in the discussion of the female experience, our relationships to the natural world, and perceptions of a life well lived. ‘Zoo’ is a story of two complex, funny, awkward women. Both are in a mire of bosses, exes and hierarchies, both prefer animals to people, and both need to escape.

What are you most excited about for performing at VAULT?

‘Zoo’ is set half in a cavernous zoo and half in a cave – how awesome to be performing in the huge cavern at VAULT. The space will suit the play perfectly and the soundscape by Mike Winship, full of birds, bats, beasts and a sizeable hurricane will rumble and thunder (alongside the trains)! Exciting!!

What do you want audiences to take away from the show?

I want them to laugh, and feel surprise, awkwardness and sadness. I want them to feel that you never know which is to be your finest hour, which your darkest and which your last – but friendship is always worth holding tight to.

What’s next for you?

I’m writing a new play for the Channel 4/Sonia Friedman Playwriting scheme. I’m developing another for Vicky Jones the lovely producer. And I’m going to have a cup of tea and a long kip.

Zoo is performed at VAULT Festival from 25^th Feb – 1^st March