We’re excited to share that Exeter alumna Rebecca Wright (English, 2016) has had her debut play – Boxed In – accepted by the Old Red Lion Theatre in London’s Off West End, and it will be performed from Tuesday 15 April to Saturday 26 April.
Boxed In is a dark-comedy and focuses on the character of ‘A’ who, in the wake of crushing grief, is forced to confront her most intrusive thoughts as she tries to figure out where her life went wrong. Sharing her dismal quarters is a simple wooden box, whose unassuming appearance conceals its sinister intent: to make her life a living Hell. Tactician, entertainer, and inspired magician, the Box’s slippery and relentless insistence that there is no hope for her voices her most painful limiting beliefs. Can she find a way to silence it, or must she learn to live with what it has to say? In a world where mental health is often reduced to social media soundbites, Boxed In offers a rich, funny and surreal exploration of the thoughts that keep us from moving on with our lives.
We caught up with Rebecca to find out more about what the experience of creating the play has been like, as well as what audiences can expect.
Where did the idea for ‘Boxed In’ come from and what has the process of bringing the production to life been like?
The basic idea for the play had been in the works for quite some time, but it really coalesced into its current form after I experienced a pretty terrible spike in anxiety after a bad heartbreak. I’ve been diagnosed with OCD for several years and have struggled through a long journey to find successful ways of managing it. The character of ‘the Box’ in the play is, in its simplest form, a personification of the insidious intrusive thoughts which hold us back from moving on with our lives; the nuance, wit and complex motivations of this character are what drive the narrative, and sweep the protagonist (known simply as ‘A’) along, forcing her to face her demons if she wants to reclaim control of her life.
With this project, I really wanted to counter some of the more damaging depictions of anxiety and OCD on social media; the only way I’ve managed to heal is to via challenging exposure therapy and choosing to face myself and my fears, but the general consensus in society currently seems to advise the opposite – avoid discomfort at all costs. In this respect, by flipping the script on the traditional one-woman play format and utilising a complex, distinctive structure which mirrors the cycles of OCD and intrusive thoughts, Boxed In offers a truly unique perspective on mental health and anxiety, shining a light on both the wit and the wiles of our most damaging – and, perhaps incredibly, our most protective – parts.
What were some of your favourite moments from your time at Exeter and were there any particular skills or experiences you feel have been helpful in your career so far?
I loved every second of my time at Exeter! My favourite moments include everything from attending lectures and seminars on Streatham Campus, chilling in the Forum and Devonshire House, going out to Timepiece, Unit 1 (RIP) and Cavern and working with XTV for the three years of my time there. I miss it all the time, and am so grateful for the lifelong friends I made and the experiences I’ve had. I definitely feel that taking the time to immerse myself in Literature and studying on such a fantastic English course has honed and improved my skills as a writer, and influenced and inspired much of my work to date.
If your inner monologue/box was voiced by anyone, who would you want it to be?
So, interestingly, the ‘Box’ is always voiced by the same actor who plays ‘A’ (in this case, me!), but with some very distinct vocal changes. But in another world, I would probably go with Emily Blunt in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. I’m sure that will offer a very vivid idea of what to expect from the Box!
Could you share some of your hopes and dreams for the future in terms of your career?
I hope to continue to build on my craft as a writer and an actor, and take the play as far as it can possibly go. I’m taking the show to Edinburgh Fringe this year, from Friday 1 August to Saturday 9 August, so this is the next step for the show after its first run in London. After that, we’ll see where life takes me!
We’re very proud of Rebecca and all that’s she’s achieved, and can’t wait to watch where her words lead her next!
