“It’s a motorway of a show,” Flo O’Mahony concedes with a grin. Currently touring ‘Perfect Show for Rachel‘, an ad lib, improvised, madcap, anarchic, accessible, riot of a theatre experience, it is hard to squeeze it into a nutshell, its unpredictability defying platitudes.
But what is certain is the treat Oxford audiences have in store when Zoo Co Theatre comes to town next week (May 13-16), the O’Mahony sisters ready to entertain, shock, educate and have us roaring in the aisles with their 14 strong troupe.
Based around Flo’s sister Rachel, who is learning disabled and loves Kylie, theatre and fart jokes, Flo thought it would be fun to put Rachel in charge of what happens on stage by arming her with a tech desk full of buttons with different scenarios to press, which the cast of 14 then have to enact.
The result is a hilarious and farcical mix of anything from bar brawls to dance routines, kitchen sink dramas, fight sequences, blind dates, EastEnders and boot camps, keeping the ensemble constantly on their toes. “It’s like a really big episode of Taskmaster with Rachel playing God,” Flo laughs. “It is really unique and we don’t think anyone is doing anything like it.”
All the performances are relaxed and the themes all based on what Rachel enjoys: “It’s up to Rachel, whether we like it or not. I hate fart jokes but she loves them, and she takes us all on her journey, even if it’s chaos and anarchy. You never know what’s going to happen when she pushes a button,” Flo explains.
But don’t take it from us, having premiered at The Barbican, it then sold out, word-of-mouth doing all the work. So how did that feel? “We knew it was risky and ambitious so it was really scary at first because we didn’t know how Rachel would react – whether she’d still want to do it, if we would have to cancel…… but it went really well and now we can’t get Rachel off stage because she loves it so much,” Flo laughs.
“Because this is about Rachel being seen properly by people outside her immediate family, and being in the driving seat. I’ve had so many conversations over the years around Rachel’s disability but they all miss out on the magic, comedy and thrill of being her sister so this is a love letter to make it a whole. And even though we base the show around Rachel’s needs, and my parents star in the show, she takes it all in her stride.”
Having won The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award, Zoo Co then joined forces with Improbable (who specialise in non script based theatre) and had to put their money where their mouths were.
“Luckily Rachel loves being the director so it all fell into place. She is sassy, blunt, dry, flirty and playful – a tour de force – and usually redirects us on stage as well, so she loves abusing her position of authority,” Flo snorts, “and the show has got better and better as time goes on.”
And how does the audience react? “Well, we explain the premise to them first so that they understand that Rachel is in charge and that the show is about making Rachel happy not them, and they really buy into it and just sit back and enjoy the anarchy. It’s been amazing to watch.”
Which presumably keeps things spicy? “We never know what to expect because it depends on Rachel’s mood which also trains the audience to see everything through her lens.
“But it’s not a one woman show, there are 14 of us on stage at the top of our game, and it never gets boring or repetitious because Rachel keeps changing it up.”
And how does Flo feel about her little sister being in charge? “Well there are lots of stereotypes around Rachel – so people might expect rainbows and something jolly – but while Rachel likes Disney she also likes Stormzy And The Streets so Perfect Show for Rachel has a punky edge. From Drag Kylie to rock and rap, it’s an eclectic mix,” Flo says.
“But more than that, it has changed us all as actors and been really exciting. It’s really mad and can be physically and mentally demanding, but it’s always electric.”
Is Flo surprised then by the show’s success? “People come back time and time again because they want to see what Rachel will do next. It isn’t political, and is popular with anyone with autism, learning disabilities, dementia, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety, but they only make up 20% of the audience.
“So I could not be more grateful to have carved out a piece of theatre with Perfect Show for Rachel and for people to trust in it. It’s been a phenomenal and rare experience and we know we are lucky. In fact, I hope all my future work will be this successful,” Flo laughs. “If not I’ll die satisfied – apart from the fart jokes.
“So we can’t wait to bring this to Oxford because it has a big improv culture there. I’m curious to see how it lands. I just hope people see the love in it.”
“But other than that Perfect Show For Rachel is just unique alchemy and it’s an 1hr 15 straight through. So take it from me – it’s a bold, risky, artistic, juicy, fun, funny an energetic show.
Perfect Show For Rachel runs at Oxford Playhouse from Wed 13 – Sat 16 May. Book here
