We spoke to Joann Condon about co-creating her solo show Little Boxes with Leonie Simmons, the inspiration behind it and what it taught her about herself, ahead of its run at New Wimbledon Theatre later this month.
Tell us what the show is about?
The show explores how people are categorised by the way they look, the way they act and the way they speak. People can then end up in certain ‘boxes’ and we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be restricted by other’s assumptions. While that all sounds a bit heavy, it’s also a funny show that looks at my life so far and the ‘boxes’ I have found myself in and how I have navigated that. We also really wanted the show to move through different emotions, so one minute the audience could be laughing and the next crying, as we never stay in the same emotional state for very long.
Was there a lightbulb moment when you decided to defy social norms, or was it a slow realisation?
I think it was when my daughter told me that she wanted to be a boy and didn’t want to wear girl’s clothes anymore when she was 3. I realised then, that these ‘boxes’ extended beyond me, and I could see that people would want to put her in a box as well. I felt it was my job to fight against that for her, which in turn made me look at my own boxes and the ones I really needed to get out of.
What was it about Boy George & Culture Club that inspired you?
I saw Boy George on Top of the Tops in 1982 and it felt like I had been shown a wider world. It was amazing to see this beautiful person dressed in amazing clothes just being himself, and that really opened my eyes and gave me the belief that I didn’t have to conform or go down the route that was expected of me as an Eastend girl. I could be an actor. This was a massive eyeopener as a 12-year-old working class child growing up.
Was there a moment that surprised you while you were making it? Did it change the way you saw yourself?
I realised that I was put in so many boxes and allowing myself to be in them! So it was very therapeutic to try get out of them. I think I also realised that I am so worried about what other people think of me and through the process of doing the show, I am far less concerned about it.
What is the most fun or difficult part of the show to perform?
The most fun part is near the end when I get to dance to ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain, which is fab as it’s one of my favourite songs and whenever I hear it, no matter where I am, I will always dance. The most difficult part is my ‘daughter’ box when I talk about my mum, and how that box is still there but I can’t add any more memories to it. This box affects me in different ways each show, I am never sure what part of it will catch me as it’s different every time.
What do you hope audiences will take from the show?
I hope the audience leave the space having had a good laugh and a good cry and hopefully thinking about their own boxes and what assumptions they make themselves. Also, to find their ’me’ box and make it as big as possible, full of all the things they want to achieve.
Little Boxes runs at New Wimbledon Theatre 18th – 27th April 2024. More information and tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/
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