Interview with Cockfosters Co-Creators: A Surreal Comedy Journey

Having a sold-out show is the dream of any theatre maker but imagine having three sold-out runs. That’s what Tom Woofenden and Hamish Clayton, writers and producers of Cockfosters, an irreverent comedy about two strangers meeting on London’s Underground, have done. They are now returning to The Turbine Theatre this august, with this surreal, highly acclaimed show. Luckily, I got to speak to them both ahead of the opening of the show.

LTD

Hi Hamish and Tom, let’s start from the beginning, how did you first get into theatre?

Hamish

I imagine like most people in the industry, I loved acting at school and was lucky to have lots of opportunities. I took drama at college and did student theatre at university. I realised I was probably more suited to writing/directing whilst I was there, so went to Mountview to get my MA in Theatre Directing. Since then, I've been freelancing as writer/director and producing my own work too - on projects that have taken me around all the pub theatres in London, up to the Edinburgh Fringe, Sheffield and venues such as Southwark Playhouse, Soho Theatre and Turbine!

Tom

I've worked in TV and film for nearly a decade, from Hollywood to Borehamwood. I started off working on a Channel 4 cooking show, then just hopped along on BBC Radio, Big Brother and Gogglebox and then into roles in-house at drama companies making programmes for Paramount+ and Amazon. Writing is still a hobby, but Cockfosters has become like an incredible second job. It's amazing I've got to do it for so long!

LTD

Wow you’re an experienced bunch from two very different entertainment backgrounds, who have been your biggest influences?

Hamish

I've always admired Emma Rice's work. Her pieces never sacrifice fun for deeper meaning - though they usually succeed in packing a real punch too. So performances like 'Cymbeline', 'Dead Dog In A Suitcase' and 'The Wild Bride' by Kneehigh have undoubtedly had big impacts on me.

Tom

Growing up all I did was watch comedy. Monty Python, Laurel and Hardy, Fawlty Towers and Blackadder to name a handful. I basically wanted to be Mr Bean, do impressions as good as Robin Williams and make films like Airplane and The Naked Gun.

LTD

I grew up on a solid diet of Monty Python too, forever imitating putting on shows imitating their sketches to my parents. Back to the show, what can you tell me about Cockfosters?

Hamish

It's a truly madcap-mind-the-gap comedy about the London Underground. There are in-jokes for Londoners which have been connecting very well with audiences. It's such a daily part of our lives that I think it's very fertile ground for observational, and surreal, comedy. It's sharp, fast and funny.

LTD

Sounds great, where did the idea for the show come from?

Tom

I was travelling on the Piccadilly line one day and I thought that something set on the tube would be a fun idea. The structure was there: start things off at one end of the Piccadilly line (Heathrow), finish at the other end (Cockfosters), and then fill in what could happen at each tube stop in between.

There's a whole host of interesting characters you see regularly on the tube. The show takes it a step further, as our two central characters interact with them and each other over the duration of the journey. It's also great in showing a cross-section of our capital city: holidaymakers at Heathrow, wealthy at Knightsbridge, tourists at Leicester Square and football fans at Arsenal.

Hamish

We met up for a drink and watched a show at a pub theatre. After the show, we sat down and wondered if we could make something a little more entertaining and funny, which doesn't take itself too seriously. Tom told me about his idea, and we ended up writing most of it in a weekend together. That might explain some of the surreal madness. 

LTD

I’ve lived in London for 10 years now, I’ve certainly seen some funny things on TfL. You must ride the tube a lot to get all your inspiration!

Hamish

I try to cycle when possible, read into that what you will… but of course there's always lot of tube-riding for any Londoner. Ideas come to both of us no matter what time of day.

Tom

Since the show came to life, I moved to Acton Town and now take the Piccadilly Line eastbound towards Cockfosters every single day of my life. I literally live this play, made even more apparent when I land at Heathrow...we're both always keeping an eye out for ideas. A hen party all in cowgirl hats sat next to me one night on the tube - and soon after a hen party made its way into the show. Art imitates life.

LTD

Living in a show, that’s a lot of theatre lovers dreams! Well not the hen party bit. Tell me, what journey has Cockfosters gone on to get to where it is now?

Hamish

We began with a staged-reading at Drayton Arms to test the concept.

Tom

The Drayton Arms had a last-minute slot that came up for two nights in May last year. We just agreed to take it with no script, cast or plan. In just six weeks, we achieved what we set out to do and it got off to a great start because the concept was strong.

Hamish

The feedback we received from friends and family was overwhelmingly positive. So we decided to bite the bullet and put our own money into putting it on for 3 nights at Turbine. This sold-out and an extra night was added. This all led to a 2-week run in Turbine which also sold-out (before the first show...) so we're back for 3 weeks this time.

Tom

It's gone from strength to strength since we began at The Drayton Arms but it's nice to see the elements from our very first draft that have remained in the script over a year later.

Hamish

We've still got a whole load of sketch ideas which we could develop and include, but that's for the next run! I think the ones we've selected are the most fun and mould together nicely for a high-paced show.

LTD

Sound like a bright future for Cockfosters! There has been a lot of big successful commercial musicals and plays recently, how do you feel about the landscape of British shows at current?

Hamish

It's exciting that there's been such big breaks for Six, Operation Mincemeat and 42 Balloons. We're hoping to develop Cockfosters into a musical after this run - and hope it will follow in their footsteps. We're on the lookout for any musical producers who might like to get Cockfosters onto a bigger stage.

LTD

I do love a musical, especially a comedy! What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing Cockfosters?

Hamish

We just want people to have a good time. Many friends have texted me, months after seeing the show, that a scene from the show is playing out in front of them on the tube. It's genuinely happened a lot of times now! So we hope they have a fun hour with us, and then some of the memories of the show will live on whenever they're in a similar situation on the tube...

Tom

We want the audience to leave with a smile. It's an hour of pure escapism, and when it's over the audience can take the tube home, perhaps seeing it in a different light! It's been an amazing thing to be a part of, and still going on - it's just been so humbling to hear that so many have enjoyed it. 

LTD

Finally, the most important question. What is your favourite tube station?

Tom

Stockwell out of pure laziness: it's the easiest way to change between the Northern and Victoria lines. I also like Charing Cross for all the drawings on platforms - though I don't know if I've ever actually got off there! 

Hamish

I like the artwork they do at Gloucester Road. Westminster is epic, but most sentimental for me is Earl's Court where my grandmother used to live and I'd visit as a child. It was my gateway to the big city.

LTD

Thanks guys, I can’t wait to see the show.

Cockfosters will be at The Turbine Theatre from 13th-31st August with tickets available at https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/cockfosters