Set among the LGBTQI+ community of Brighton, Supersonic Man is a joyous and moving new musical. We spoke to writer and director Chris Burgess about his career, the inspiration behind Supersonic Man, and other projects in the pipeline.
Hello Chris. You’re a writer and director. Which came first and why?
Sometimes, writing and directing are the same thing, just as composing music and fitting a lyric to the music can be the same thing. They are all elements that go towards the organic telling of a story. I don’t usually direct my own shows, but this time, I do have a particular vision of this Brighton-based LGBTQI+ story, and I want to take audiences to a particular place with a particular atmosphere. Anyone who knows Brighton will know what I mean!
Tell us about the inspiration behind Supersonic Man?
Peter Scott-Morgan is famous for two things. Firstly, he and his partner, Francis, became officially the first gay couple to marry in England. Secondly, he was featured in the 2020 Channel Four documentary Peter: The Human Cyborg – which followed his journey to conquer motor neurone disease by use of robotics, radical surgery and AI technology. The day after seeing the documentary, I started writing Supersonic Man. Initially, it was based closely on Peter Scott Morgan’s life, but eventually, it became ‘loosely inspired by’ his story, and the main character became a thirty-something ‘influencer’ leading a hedonistic life which comes crashing down when he receives a cataclysmic diagnosis.
Why did you write Supersonic Man as a musical rather than a play?
Good question. Some people are taken aback by the fact that it is, in part, a musical comedy. But the fact is – my main character, Adam, is a life force – the type who wears pink hot pants in a Pride march. You know the type? He is flamboyant and witty and sexually aggressive and rebellious. And his attitude to a terminal condition is to fight, fight, fight and challenge the medical status quo. This he does, tipping over many apple carts, pulling focus, and creating a Reality TV show about his condition and his aim to become ‘supersonic’. To me, that spirit sings – hence, the show is a musical.
Describe the standout show tunes that we can look forward to?
The climactic song, Celebrating Adam, sees Adam’s dream come true in a camp fantasy sequence. He is transformed into full cyborg mode as a sexy ‘Supersonic Man.’ Imagine a sex robot fuelled by hyper-powered Viagra. Anyone who knows the Jerry Herman title songs of Hello Dolly and Mame will get the idea behind this sequence.
What do you hope the audience will take away from the show?
Inspiration, joy, hope, and the memory of a human spirit who faced cataclysm with courage and wit… and pink hot pants.
What projects do you have in the pipeline?
I am working on another musical: a radical reboot of The Wizard of Oz, in which the Wizard really is from Oz – in fact an Aboriginal woman. And the reason Dorothy is transported to Oz is not a cyclone but an apocalyptic nuclear explosion.Watch this space…
Use discount code SMQX3 and get £3 OFF General Admission (not concession) tickets for all performance dates.
Supersonic Man runs from 9 April to 3 May at Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD, United Kingdom.
