From adapting the text, directing the show, to performing a whole host of characters – Marcus has certainly got his work cut out!
What’s your name? Marcus Bazley
What’s your role in Cyphers? Artistic Director
Tell us an interesting/funny fact about yourself? When I was growing up I wanted to be a professional cricketer (potentially both interesting and funny!)
What made you want to adapt this particular text? The main reason was how different the tone of the novel seemed to be to the preconceived idea of the story. Plus, the relationship the narrator had with the reader felt very Cyphers-esque to me and I thought we could do something with the novel that would be quintessentially Cyphers in style.
What was the most challenging aspect of bringing this production to life? I think there were different challenges depending on which hat I was wearing at the time! As an adaptor, the biggest challenge was probably finding which journey through the story I wanted to follow and how to keep the through-line of the narrative clear. As an artistic director, it was getting the right team together – though that seemed to work out pretty well in the end! As an actor, the biggest challenge was probably leaving my other two hats outside the rehearsal room so that I could fully commit to acting and reacting in the moment – that definitely took me longer than I expected but once I got there it was incredibly rewarding.
What’s your favourite line in the production? The one that immediately comes to mind is from a conversation between Milady and Rochefort towards the end of the play. Milady says to him, “Commend me to the Cardinal”, to which Rochefort replies: “Commend me to Satan.”
Who should come and see this show? Anyone who enjoys a truly live and theatrical experience. If you enjoy multi-roling, storytelling and inventive use of props this show is definitely for you.
What one thing do you hope the audience will take away from this production? On a very simple level I just hope the audience go away with a smile on their face and feeling like they’ve had a good time! On a more intellectual level, I hope that they will take away various moral questions about the actions of the protagonists.
What’s going to surprise people about this show? Hopefully a few things. I suspect the way in which we create characters and locations with very little in the way of costume, set and props will surprise people who aren’t familiar with our style. Also, from the previews anyway, people seemed to be surprised both by how funny it is and how dark it gets in equal measure.
Who is the funniest cast member Will is definitely the funniest intentionally. Ben is probably the funniest unintentionally!
When you have a five minute break in rehearsals, how do you spend your time? I’ll probably be sending emails or doing other bits of Cyphers work!! I don’t really have breaks!
What do you do when you’re not doing theatre? Cricket. I play every Saturday I can during the Summer and Test Match Special is pretty much permanently on the radio from May to September!
The Three Musketeers
15th & 16th July | 19:30 | The Church of the Holy Sepulchre | Northampton
Tickets can be purchased here