Writer and performer Ted Walliker talks new one-man show ‘RON’: “Struggling to make people laugh makes for a fascinating glimpse into what kind of person you are”

Following its inaugural run last March, the show returns to London’s Riverside Studios for Pride Month, bringing back the laughs, trills, and horrors of this unconventional queer love story. Guillermo Nazara chats with its creator to learn more about the piece’s development and how this story involving toxic relationships intends to make a killing.

How does it feel to be bringing the show back to Riverside just two months after its original run? 

Delighted! The venue has been a special place to both Lev, my co-director, and I, having worked there as technicians for some time. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to show RON to more people.

Such a prompt return implies popular demand. Why do you think audiences have connected with this queer piece in particular?

I certainly like to believe that the show is offering something unusual and that’s inherently interesting for an audience. In rehearsals, we try not to think too much about the exact thoughts of the audience because you can never truly know!

How did the idea for the show come along?

I’ve always loved stand-up comedy and this piece is an extension of that love. I think comedy and tragedy have an intersection which also interests me – especially when tragedy emerges from comedic failure. The act of trying to make people laugh is so human, that struggling to do so makes for a fascinating glimpse into what kind of person you are.

Is unrequited love experienced any differently from a queer perspective?

I think it’s different for every person, regardless of their sexual orientation. The story of RON explores queer unrequited love in a what I hope is a way we haven’t seen before on stage!

The show is said to push the boundaries of storytelling, performance, and genre. In which way is it done?

Sorry to be so vague but you’ll have to wait and see! I hold the belief that the less information you’re given about a play/film before you watch it, the better your viewing experience.

What particular creative and performative challenges have you found in this piece?

It’s a very tiring piece, physically and emotionally, so we’ve spent a lot of time building up the required stamina. Also, because the writing is quite particular, maintaining the rhythm of the jokes has been a very fun task to work on.

Has the gap between the show’s original and upcoming run given you the opportunity to make any changes?

We’ve made some small tweaks in various areas – a few new lines, a few changes to lighting and sound cues – but broadly the show has continued along the lines of its earlier form.

Are there any highlights in the show that you’d like to flag?

There’s a moment which received such a wide variety of reactions in our development run – it’s my favourite to perform! – so I can’t wait to see how each new audience reacts to that particular bit.

Are there any messages you’re trying to convey with this piece?

I’m cautious to avoid being too open about this. I very strongly believe in the audience’s right to interpret and take what they take from the show – it’s one of the joys of art in general, getting to find yourself and your own ideas within a piece of work.

Why come see ‘Ron’?

If you’re interested in seeing something different when it comes to one-person shows, I believe RON is for you. Also if you like stand-up and performance, there’s definitely a throughline in RON about how far stand-up can be pushed and where the truth of a comedian becomes a hindrance to their comedy rather than a help.

Read our review of Ron here!

Headshot credit to AKTA Photography. Production pictures credit to Percy Walker-Smith.

RON plays at London’s Riverside Studios until 5 July. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara