Welcome back to our Offbeat Spotlight series. Over the next few days we're highlighting all the strange and wonderful things that the Offbeat Festival has to offer. The Offbeat Festival runs from the 9th-15th of September, and is a collaboration between The Old Fire Station, Oxford Playhouse, New Theatre and Gloucester Green Market. In addition to a multitude of shows, there are also workshops, and exhibition, late night events including a poetry slam, comedy scratch night, and listening party, and more.
Here, we catch up with Bart Thiede, the creative force behind "Have You Met Stan?", a new musical that explores immigration, coming out, family, love and heartbreak. Set to an original score, which mixes Irish folk music and pop-folk tunes, the show promises to offer an equally heartwarming and heartbreaking experience. Read on for more about the musical and the inspirations behind it.
Daily Information: Hi Bart, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us. What inspired you to write "Have You Met Stan?"
Bart Thiede: I've always wanted to write a musical. There's something wonderfully surreal about them. When I compose, I always try to dive into some deep questions. For "Have You Met Stan?", the central question I wanted to explore was, "Where do I belong?" Having grown up Polish in Northern Ireland as a gay teen it's something I always asked myself.
The story unfolds in a grubby Irish pub by a train station, where the audience becomes a part of Séan and Stan's world—a world where neither of them truly feels at home. Both characters are adrift, fleeing from their pasts, renting mouldy box rooms in London, and grappling with a sense of identity. They're lost, searching for a place where they fit in, and this uncertainty is something I believe many of us can relate to.
At its core, "Have You Met Stan?" is just another love story. It's not a story that’s neatly tied a happy ending, or descend into dramatic tragedy. Instead, it’s a relationship that slowly fizzles out, much like many of our own. I wanted to capture the realism of love that doesn't last but leaves a lasting impact.
But it’s not all doon and gloom! There are plenty of laughs and light moments along the way. It's through these failed relationships that we often discover the most about ourselves, and in that sense, there's a hopeful message buried within the story's darker corner. It's a reflection on the journey of self-discovery that we all undergo, with a touch of humour and humanity that makes it all the more relatable.
You’ll also meet two fantastic young actors who are no strangers to Oxford! Cam Gray as Stan and Cameron Burne as Séan! They will appear alongside an incredible house band!
DI: Your show explores the experiences of characters who are immigrants as well as LGBTQ+. What made a musical the best medium for you to explore those themes?
BT: Musicals are inherently ridiculous, but that's what makes them so wonderfully unique. Their absurdity allows us to create worlds where anything is possible. In "Have You Met Stan?", our two lost characters find a voice through song, expressing feelings they’d never dare share otherwise.
The music blends various genres, weaving in Irish language, folk tunes, and even Polish influences, creating a rich, vibrant world that only a musical could bring to life. Unlike straight plays, music amplifies the emotional depth and vividness of the story, making the experience truly unforgettable.
DI: What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
BT: I think we all know a Stan, or we might be a Stan. The show's message is straightforward: live your life as best as you can, rather than getting lost in imagined realities. While Stan and Séan may not come across as good people based on their actions and behaviour, I hope the audience can relate to their struggles and appreciate their perseverance in navigating a messy world. They're not perfect, but they're trying—and that's something we can all understand.
DI: Who is this ‘perfect for fans of’? If you had to compare the vibes of your show to another piece of media, what would it be?
BT: Take ‘The Last Five Years’, swap Anna Kendrick for two gays in their 20’s with problematic personalities, put it in an Irish pub, add a wake, and mix in a jig…
DI: After Offbeat, what's next for you?
BT: Personally, I am off to do a gig at Octoberfest in Munich straight after this and then it is back to Panto-land at the Oxford Playhouse as the Musical Director just like last year. If you haven’t got your tickets yet then do! As for the show, there is a plan for a possible longer run in early 2025 so follow our Instagram!
DI: Finally, please describe "Have You Met Stan?" in three words.
BT:Toe-tapping, dark, comedy
"Have You Met Stan?" is on at the Old Fire Staion, on Thu 12th Sep, 6.30pm. For more info and to book tickets, click here.