Stephanie Martin’s Juniper and Jules at Soho Theatre, opens on 5th May following a successful run at VAULT Festival in 2019. Bethany Pitts directs Gabriella Schmidt (Jules) and Stella Taylor (Juniper) who return to their respective roles. It runs until 14th May at Soho Theatre.
Juniper and Jules is a contemporary story about relationships, queer identities, and how we choose to love.
“You’re not better than me because you’re gay-er.”
Juniper has been gay for as long as she can remember. Jules didn’t realise she could be queer because no-one ever told her it was an option. Jules isn’t naturally monogamous, she doesn’t think. She wants to make new rules and live life to the full. Juniper is more interested in peace and quiet and happiness (and making sure the washing-up is done by bedtime).
Playwright Stephanie Martin said of her play,
“Focusing on a relationship between two women – one lesbian, one bisexual, Juniper and Jules centres on rarely seen queer themes; love between two women, non-monogamy in a complex but positive light and lesbian/bisexual identity which is often disregarded in both media and the LGBTQ+ community. Although specific to the queer experience, the play is equally a universal love story for anyone who has ever fallen in and out of love.”
The Artiscape spoke with Stephanie Martin about the upcoming production.
Martin’s playwriting credits include Joy (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Alkaline (Park Theatre) Passion Fruit with Dior Clarke (New Diorama). Recently, Martin’s was commissioned to write a piece for the Shakespeare Globe’s Notes to the Forgotten She-Wolves season of new plays, and is developing her first feature film with the BFI.
What inspired you to write this “coming of age romance”?
Martin: The gap in our literary canon for positive and truthful representation of queer women. This is a story about women having a lot of fun in and out of bed.
What were the challenges in putting this piece together?
Martin: We were due to originally play at Soho Theatre April 2020 – the two year pause has been disappointing but we’re even more excited to be back. It’s been a four year process and was the one of the first script I ever wrote so it’s been very special to make with the actors and directors right from the beginning.
How much of this piece is autobiographical or fiction?
Martin: People often assume writing is autobiographical and sometimes I have to remind people that if I’ve written something it’s not my diary onstage. There are always some elements of autobiography phrases, words, memories. My writing is more biographical aka a collection of mine and other’s experiences I’ve gathered together – be warned, if you tell me your secrets, they’ll end up in a script.
What are you most looking forward to with this production?
Martin: To see a collection of LGBTQ couple seeing themselves onstage and to hear audiences laughing and enjoying themselves after the loneliness of the last two years. To enjoy the collective experience of theatre together again.
What do you think an audience will take away from this play?
Martin: A cathartic experience of the universal experience of falling in and out of love and choosing to fall back in love again. A discussion about whether the way we love can, should and will change. Can we have it all?
Juniper and Jules is Directed by Bethany Pitts; Sound Design: Nicola Chang; Producers: Sarah Allen and Deirdre McLaughlin
Soho Theatre
Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 14th May 2022
21 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3NE
Box Office: 020 7478 0100
Facebook: /clamourtheatre Twitter: @clamour_theatre
#JuniperandJules
Clamour Theatre tells contemporary, thought-provoking and uplifting stories with humour and heart, placing narratives and characters who have historically been kept in the margins centre stage. Their debut production was Joy at Theatre Royal Stratford East, they are currently developing a number of projects including a new play by Dior Clarke.
