A Pineapple is dark, funny, and weirdly relatable.
In this bold and brilliantly original new play from Olivia Mace, we’re whisked into a future where climate catastrophe has hit hard, society has crumbled, and people now live alone in government-issued pods, matched to their wealth and left to quietly wait for extinction.
For Nia, the pod is her whole world. But when her no-nonsense grandmother Connie decides she’s done waiting, the door swings open - and so does the possibility of something more.
We caught up with producer and 53two Artistic Director Simon Naylor to talk dystopias, dark humour, and what makes A Pineapple such an exciting new piece of theatre.
Tell us more about 53two!
53two is Greater Manchester's only independent theatre venue and was initially set up to bridge the gap between huge venues and the 50 seaters above pubs. Both have their brilliance but, something mid-scale was missing. From there, we quickly slotted into our niche.
We aim to provide an avenue for creatives and allow audiences to see work they have never seen before. We strive to tell the stories that need to be told now; to challenge, inform and educate, change perceptions and ignite discussion.
Can you tell us where the idea for the show came from and what inspired the story?
Olivia Mace wrote the play, so I think she’d probably have her own ideas. Also, no spoilers here! But, for me, it’s perfect symbolism for many reasons that are contained in the play. Pineapples used to be a sign of wealth and status, they’re also prickly on the outside but smooth on the inside – much like our characters perhaps? Interestingly, in present day, a pineapple emoji can represent a complicated relationship – our play definitely has that!
Who’s your favourite character and why?
Ooh that’s hard! I genuinely think that all three of them are perfectly written. They all have a wealth of depth and a real, believable inner and outer life that makes them perfectly human. However, Connie has some cracking one-liners that I’m fairly sure everyone will appreciate! I certainly still chuckle at them.
If you could sum up A Pineapple in three words, what would they be?
Fascinating, current, human.
What do you hope audiences will take away from A Pineapple?
A Pineapple is so layered – it’s already been talked about amongst the team that watching it more than once would mean you feel differently every time. It’s got twists and turns that you don’t expect and asks questions of the audience that will, I’m sure, split them in opinion. It’s also a play that will stay with you – a week later, you’ll find yourself on the commute home, in the middle of a supermarket or lay awake in bed, thinking about their relationships, how you’d have responded and what happens if the prediction this play makes about the future, actually happens.
Curious? You should be.
With a sharp script, unexpected twists, and characters you’ll be thinking about long after the show’s over, A Pineapple is one juicy slice of theatre you won’t want to miss.
Catch A Pineapple on its first ever Northern tour at ours on Wed 7 May.
