Interview: What sort of man is Shôn Dale-Jones?
Shôn Dale-Jones
Shôn Dale-Jones performs as part of Hoipolloi and under the alias of Hugh Hughes in jovial shows such as Things I Forgot | Remembered and Floating.
We ended up chatting about his favourite critic, an average day and the most beautiful theatre in the world.
Hello! Can you tell us about an average working day in the life of Shôn Dale-Jones and Hugh Hughes. And tell us how they differ.
Shôn gets up around 6:30 am, puts on a tracksuit, eats some muesli and fruit, heads to his studio and writes until his belly needs lunch, then after lunch he reads what he’s written and decides what to do next.
Hugh rolls with life’s curiosities.
What is the most beautiful regional theatre that you have performed in?
Liverpool Everyman…It’s the best theatre in the world…
Do you feel an expectation that you’ll achieve similar level of successes working on some of the projects that you do?
I definitely try to start each project with a blank canvas.
How would you describe the cultural ecology in Wales in 2016?
Excellent.
The Duke is playing at the Pleasance in the heart of the fringe – what can audiences expect?
A funny and poignant comic story that’ll challenge what they value.
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What three things should every good Edinburgh Fringe show have?
Commitment, commitment, commitment.
During the devising process, how long do you stick with a show that’s not working? Do you persevere or should it click instantly?
I think it’s good to try stuff out for a week here and there before going at it hammer and tongs…
It must be quite exciting, having written and performed in so many shows, to do something different and not charge (donations going to Save the Children) for The Duke. Is it different staging a free show?
Very. I’m surprised how liberating it is. It frees the mind to consider things other than the number of people in the audience and the amount of money clawed in at the box office.
With the way the industry’s changing, do you worry about the future of making theatre?
Yes. It’s really tough financially again. And audience habits are shifting. However, theatre is more vital now that the world is changing so radically and so rapidly.
Who’s your favourite critic and why?
My daughter, Josie. Because she’s sharp, clear and no nonsense!
Anything that you’d like to add? Cheers!
I love Steffi, my wife.
