Words by Marni Lippin
‘’It’s a play about messy bisexuals!’’
‘Coming Out Tonight?’ is the original play written and directed by Alannah Van Engeland for the SUDS – created about students, for students. With a cast starring Miranda Barnes as Bella, the main character preparing to go on a night out, Aleks Velkov joining the process as her best friend London and finally, Charlie Emmings as ex-boyfriend Jamie. The play follows the crescendo of activity in the hour before Bella goes out, and the flurry of comedy and chaos that ensues.
I first interviewed director Alannah, as we covered everything from her vision for the play to why Bottoms (2023) is a cinematic masterpiece.
You described the play as being about Sussex students for Sussex students. When you were writing, did you intentionally include specific references, or was it more of trying to capture a general vibe?
A: I mean, I mentioned Green Door (store) – free promo for them! I wanted to capture the ‘everyone lives in Elm Grove’ vibe of Sussex, why does everyone live there? Why does everyone know everyone? It’s this big web of students, especially with Sussex uni that I wanted to bring light to because I just love it so much.
On the marketing side, some iconic queer duos have been used in films like Booksmart and Bottoms, were these a big inspiration for you?
A: When I first went to see Bottoms, I couldn’t stop crying. There’s something about seeing these young queer women on screen, and it being so completely normal. They capture this ‘annoying teen girl’ thing that is such an accurate portrayal of what girlhood is like and having female friendships – queer friendships too. It’s a love letter to close uni friendships and the people that get you, so I really tried to make it sound and feel authentic, like all these people I’ve met during my degree. I also just want to be Rachel Sennott!
Bottoms is definitely essential viewing! It’s interesting to hear you focus on so much nuance throughout the play, has that been the most challenging part of directing?
A: I’d say the most challenging part was casting, I wanted to figure out if they fit the humour and tone of the play and what they could bring to the acting. I wanted to grasp that because a lot of the play is written in my voice, or my friend’s voice. If you wouldn’t say the word ‘babe’ in a conversation, change it to what you would say! I wanted the play to sound like it was a chat between friends.
You’ve spoken about how important friendships are to yourself and to the play itself, can you take me back to the most important friendship you’ve had at uni? Where did you meet?
A: The play is written for my best friend that I met in my fresher’s week – it was in 2020, so it was huge getting to meet people after lockdown and we’ve lived together every year since. It’s important to see who’s around you. I’m so excited for her to see the play and pick up on our inside jokes and memories – it’s a key part of uni and it never really stops; you never stop meeting people. Most of the dialogue is taken from real conversations with friends – even the photos on the set are real pictures of the cast and their friends.
With the cast, we also spoke about the importance of friendship being integral to Coming Out Tonight.
Another article you may enjoy: Are Jukebox Musicals Hitting All the Right Notes?
Do you think the play resonates with your own lives and friendships?
C.E: There’s definitely a lot of myself I see in Jamie, not sure how I feel about that.
A.V: Absolutely, but maybe less evil! The vibe of just hanging out with your friends is spot on – we’d make like a funny adlib or something that we would just say, and [Lana] would just add it in.
C.E: It didn’t even feel like an official ‘thing’ for the first couple of weeks – it felt like we were just hanging out and not rehearsing. I can see the play taking place in my own house, so it does feel like Sussex because it feels like my life now.
A.V: The play feels like pres! Like I’m convening in a corridor with my friends – minus the dramatic parts.
Is there a line or stage direction that sticks out to you as your favourite? The funniest?
M.B: Either ‘F***! Where’s my echo falls?’ or ‘That’s biphobic Bella!’ The way [Charlie] delivers it is just so funny.
C.E: I think mine is a line from London talking about feeling Bella’s presence in the room, the way Aleks delivers it is just so extreme – it gets me every time.
M.B: I’m so worried I’m going to crack; it does feel like secondary school science!
Aside from being funny, is there anything you want people to take away from Coming Out Tonight?
C.E: There’s a little messy bisexual in all of us.
A.V: It’s a short play and it’s deeply relatable, these moments and friendships just chatting about nothing and laughing – it’s beautiful and something to treasure. And it’s also just really funny!
Tickets are available for Coming Out Tonight? on the student union website, from £6.
@comingouttonight on Instagram