The average person will speak 123,205,750 words in a lifetime. But what if there were a limit? What would you say if you only had 140 words to use in a day? Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons imagines a world where we're forced to say less, performing on stage at Titchfield Festival Theatre 23 – 28 September.

This charming play from Sam Steiner is about the beauty and preciousness of language; a perfectly imperfect love story that will leave you wanting to say every word that has been left unsaid. It's about what we say and how we say it; about the things we can only hear in the silence; about dead cats, activism, eye contact and lemons, lemons, lemons, lemons, lemons.

Daniel Vaughan is director of the play and talks to Simon Frost about the production:

Simon: Why did you choose to direct this play -was it your choice of production?

Daniel: This was my original choice of production for the 2023 season, so it’s a play I have been itching to direct for a while. However, due to the West End production at the end of 2022, we were unable to do it at that time. Thankfully, I was blessed by directing This Is Living instead which had tremendous feedback from audiences.

What drew me to this play (apart from the brilliant title) is the glimpse into one couples love story under the lens of an unusual circumstance. The concept of the show got me excited, and that's when I know I want to be involved with a production.

What’s the idea behind the play? The government proposes a new hush law (or quietude bill), which is voted on by the public to come into force. It is stated within the show that the law has been successful in countries such as Norway, although the reason for the word limit is never mentioned or alluded to. As the play moves from time frame to time frame, both before and after the law we see the effect 140 words has on our protagonists.

Simon: The play "Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons" hinges on the limitation of 140 words per day. How did you approach directing the actors to convey emotions and character development with such a restricted vocabulary?

Daniel: The script itself gives a great framework for the scenes, but largely the direction and movement is left to our own interpretation. Working with the cast members, Emily and Nix on 'Lemons' has been a joy, and has felt collaborative in the best way.

The story is non-linear, jumping from past to present to future and back again without much space for breath, so it’s all about the intent, the way the actors communicate through body language, through facial expressions, and also through the words that are spoken and the empty spaces in between.

Simon: In the TFT YouTube video, the cast members say that it will be a show that will make the audience think, and ask a lot of questions. Why do you think this is?

Daniel: The characters are an everyday couple - they could be anyone you know. When you then put a law restricting speech onto these individuals it makes you think about yourself; how would you survive? Who would you talk to? What would you say?

Simon: The play promises the audience a completely immersive experience, quite different to other TFT plays. Please tell me more...

Daniel: Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is set in TFT’s Acorn theatre, which is extremely intimate – and an ideal setting for this play. There will be no set, no props - it’s all about what you are watching and being in that moment with the characters. And, with a show called 'Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons', so there is something for all the senses. so there is something for all the senses. The Acorn will be used like an art installation, with fresh lemons hanging from the ceilings, which will give the smell aspect.

Simon: Finally, why do you think someone should come along to watch?

Daniel: If you're interested in a show that takes you on a journey, which makes you think and gives you something to talk about long after you've left the theatre, this is the play for you. Plus, Emily and Nix are phenomenal together.



Thank you, Daniel.

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons performs in the Acorn Theatre, Titchfield Festival Theatre between 23 – 28 September 2024. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/  or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.