#10TheatreFacts: Louise Newman on ‘The Good, The Bad & The Fugly’

The production, The Good, The Bad and The Fugly, is currently on stage at Alexander Upstairs and we asked Louise Newman to share some theatre facts to give people an idea of what they can expect from the show.

1. Where did the idea for The Good, The Bad and The Fugly come from?

Initially, this show began as a project while I was studying at AFDA, I was scrolling through Facebook and thinking “I want to write a musical comedy about the things we share online”. I wanted to demonstrate everything you could find on social media - the good, the bad and the downright awful.

2. As a production, what genre of theatre best describes it?

Musical Comedy

3. If you have to describe The Good, The Bad and The Fugly to someone by using simply a song title, what would that be?

“Selfies” - Nina Nesbit

4. How would you describe your character in The Good, The Bad and The Fugly? How does your character relate to the other characters?

All of the characters project the things that are important to them on social media. For my character, it's herself… and makeup tutorials.

5. What do you personally like most about The Good, The Bad and The Fugly?

I love the satirical songs.

6. Is The Good, The Bad and The Fugly, audience wise, aimed at a specific generation or will everyone find it relatable?

Our show is about social media and I think most generations use at least one social media platform, if not more. There are things that the audience may not understand if they aren’t on social media, and there are moments which are aimed at a younger generation, but nevertheless, I think the characters that we portray will be relatable for everyone.

7. What aspect of The Good, The Bad and The Fugly do you think audiences will find most fascinating?

The way we have used physical theatre to tell a story. 8. Without giving anything away, what’s your favourite moment in the show?

My character sings about her YouTube Channel - it’s a lot of fun.

9. What message or feeling would you like the audience to take from The Good, The Bad and The Fugly?

This show is intended to be light-hearted and fun; we want the audience to laugh at themselves. In this show we demonstrate the good, the bad and ‘fugly' side of human nature and the way we behave, especially on social media. We’d like the audience to be able to reflect on themselves and perhaps the way they interact online.

10. What does theatre as a lifestyle mean to you?

To me, theatre as a lifestyle means to be connected. Theatre is a documentation of the human condition and the way we are living. To watch theatre is to be in touch with what is going on in the world and other peoples’ experience of the world.

Show: The Good, The Bad and The Fugly

Venue: Alexander Upstairs Running Time: 60 mins Directed by Nathalie Vijver Written by Louise Newman Performed by Lee van Der Merwe, Chané Otto and Louise Newman

Booking: Sold Out