The Rest of Our Lives by Jo Fong and George Orange is the first of three shows in Take Your Seats. Take Your Seats is a new initiative from house – a South East venue network – which offers a two-for-one ticket scheme and sees venues working together to bring local audiences back to theatres.
Tell us what The Rest of Our Lives is about
Jo: I’d say it’s about how to live, how to stay alive, about friendship, the long version, middle – age… I’m a dancer, at least in the dance world I’m OLD.
George: It’s about an older clown and an older dancer getting on with it. Against all the odds. It’s about all of us just trying to get by and find possible impossible ways to do that with some joy.
Where did the idea come from?
Jo: We had a real sit down, both hitting our 50’s and wondering how the next bit goes. What will we need? Music, dancing, jokes, people, games, newness a bit of calculated risk… and things that make us laugh and feel loved. AND Some stark realities about how short life really is
How did you two meet?
George: Jo was on stage giggling and I met her after the show
Jo: We used to live around the corner from each other in Splott. We both like gardening. George is the first genuine real clown I’ve ever met. He’s pure clown, not creepy, older, a bit dodgy, but more like silly, sentimental, emotional. He has a clown soul and does stooopid exceptionally. We like eating together. That’s a very important thing on tour.
When you were making the show, was there a moment that surprised you?
Jo: Not really, we just wanted to make a good show, the bit that really surprised me was when the audience met the show it was unbelievable. Like magic, the people who came just seemed to connect, there was both tears and laughter, I don’t quite understand it.
George: There are people who have seen the show 4 or 5 times. They keep coming back. It’s ridiculous.
What is the most fun part of the show to perform?
Jo: The first bit it the hardest bit to do, after that it’s a bit like flying
George: Any time I get to look at Jo and have time to think… She’s hilarious. Which is pretty often to be fair.
Sum up the show in three words
George: Gut, reality, hilarious
Jo: Warm, optimistic, flying by the seat of your pants
The Rest of Our Lives tours the South East from 21 September to 28 October. For full tour dates and more information on the Take Your Seats initiative and two-for-one ticket scheme visit https://housetheatre.org.uk/take-your-seats
Join the discussion