It’s 1933 and the country is still suffering from the Great Depression. Mike Malloy, an ex-firefighter, has fallen on hard times, living rough and relying on drink to keep warm. Local bartender Tony Marino notices how Mike would drink his body weight in booze and pass out. He hatches a plan with some of his dubious friends to take out an insurance policy on Mike, plot his death and cash in the policy. He’s done it before…. so what could possibly go wrong? This dark comedy is based on real events as Mike The Durable refuses to die.

During a break from rehearsals, Simon spoke to writer and director Emma Bevan about the play.

Simon: Is this your first play you have written - and directed - for the TFT New Play Season? How many other plays have you written?

Emma: This is the fourth play I've written and directed for the TFT New Play season. I've also written eight other plays and pantomimes.

Simon: The story is based upon Mike Malloy. What gave you the inspiration to write this play based on his life?

Emma: I came across the story of Mike Malloy and was fascinated by what happened to him. Very little is actually known about Mike prior to this story other than he was an Irish imigrant in New York towards the end of the Great Depression and had been a firefighter. Fallen on hard times he often worked for beer and whiskey. The owner of a speakeasy (Tony) had previously taken out an insurance policy on someone and claimed on it after killing her. Encouraged and assisted by his friends they decide to do the same to Mike. I was interested in how Mike continued to survive despite attempts on his life. I've tried to keep as close as I could to the real story, except moving the story to London. 

Simon: The story is also very dark: a group of individuals trying to murder someone. How will people find it funny?

Emma: This is a dark comedy so it's a thriller with humour. The humour comes from his ability to survive - they try poisoning him, freezing him and running him over and he just keeps returning to the bar. They think they're clever but make mistakes which enables Mike's survival.

Simon: Please tell me about the characters.

Emma: There's a number of gangsters involved in the plot, Frank is the brains and instigator and able to use his connections as an undertaker. He's friends with Tony who owns the bar. They involve others to fund Mike's drinking and the insurance policies. We meet eight of the gang during the play. They provide a foil to Mike's jokes, stories and singing. Tony's wife June remains suspicious but turns a blind eye as she likes clothes and living well. The final character we meet is Inspector Wilson who I wrote in to provide an explanation of what happens.

Simon: How does it feel to be writing/directing the first production of the New Play Season?

Emma: I've had the first slot before, it's great to provide a dark comedy/thriller after Christmas, something different after the Christmas festivities and after the panto. I'm thrilled that TFT allows new plays to be performed in the main theatre recognising the talent we have in the theatre.

Simon: The winner of the Playwriting competition will be announced in January: what have you learnt since you first started writing plays?

Emma: Everyone writes differently, for me I see the scenes play out in my mind. I listen to the characters speak to each other and have a clear idea of what I want to achieve. But I've learned flexibility in the final vision: actors and crew all have ideas and experience to add. So I have a plan but its adaptable.

Simon: Why will this play interest/excite the audience?

Emma: It's a fascinating true story. I hope the audience like Mike and buy into his story, I feel privileged to tell his tale and I hope the audience are intrigued to find out what happens to him.

Thank you, Emma!

To book tickets, please click here.

Emma Bevan was talking to Simon Frost.