Interview: Composer and performer Stu Barker on Wise Children’s BLUE BEARD

Photo credit: Steve Tanner

Wise Children’s new co-production of Blue Beard, written and directed by Emma Rice, is currently touring the country. We spoke to composer and performer, Stu Barker, about the show, his character and returning to work with the company.

Tell us a bit about Emma Rice's unique style and how it lends itself to Blue Beard.

Much of the work is devised and comes out of a playful rehearsal room. Many of the cast have worked before on previous projects, so there is an understanding or working shorthand as a result …

It’s often storytelling with love as a central theme with comedy and tragedy. Blue Beard has similarities with other Emma Rice shows in that it is a fairy tale in a contemporary context.

What is the story of Blue Beard and how did you find a musical style for the show?

Blue Beard tells the story of an aristocratic serial killer, who murders his wives and keeps the corpses locked up in a room. This version of the story told by Mother Superior in a convent to a lost boy who turns up looking for answers.

This is the first time we’ve written songs together. Emma was looking for different genres for different characters: Balkan Minimalism, jazz, disco, folk and tango. These signatures or themes reoccur…

What it is like being in a show you've been involved in writing, rather than handing it over when you've written it?

I really enjoy it… it’s interesting to keep an ear on how the music slowly changes over time when the score isn’t being read.

Tell us who you play in the show.

The onstage musician (no character).

What has been your favourite venue to play so far, and are there any your particularly looking forward to working at?

Battersea Arts Centre. I first worked here in 2000 with The Red Shoes. The audiences are fantastic as they really understand the work and London is a home from home..

You've worked with Emma Rice on several shows now. What is it about her, her company and the style of production that keeps you coming back for more?

We’ve worked together on 23 shows. She enables me to compose in a style that I wouldn’t normally choose, such as the disco songs in Blue Beard and gives me the freedom to be myself. She has a very positive working process that allows me to be very prolific and then chooses the best songs. This process is similar to my composing style.

What can audiences expect from the show? Who do you think would enjoy it?

The story is quite dark, it has a lot of songs with a continuous musical soundtrack and then becomes quite bleak and stripped back as the story unfolds.

There’s magic, movement and dance and some unusual musical instruments… I think most people will find it enjoyable.

Blue Beard plays at Battersea Arts Centre until 18 May, with further info here.