East 15 graduates explore workplace discrimination through dark comedy

Rosie Jane, Nyke Jackson and Lance Jeffery developed the piece as part of a devising module during their MA Acting course. 

What I really wanted to say was… is a social satire exploring workplace discrimination by dramatizing the group’s own stories and ones they researched. Awkward conversations are revisited on-stage.

“We chose the dark comedy format because of the way it can point at society’s issues from different angles and make an audience think differently,” said Rosie Jane.

“Although it’s a dark comedy it explores issues which hopefully will make you think about how to tackle these situations if you end up in them.

“We don’t give direct answers because we want you to answer them. An audience that works hard to work out what they would have said if they could turn back the clock is an audience that’s thinking and changing! Laughing brings people together - when you laugh, there’s an understanding and a common ground. Our show does that - but it also gives you a thinking cap!

What I really wanted to say was… was staged at the Camden Fringe Festival and London Pub Theatres said: “It shuns subtlety and embraces the truly shocking reality of situations people unfortunately experience every day...this show is rude, provocative and important.

‘What I really wanted to say was…’ is playing from 17-18 November at The Theatre in Applecart Arts’ centre in Harold Road, London. Tickets are available now.