Horse-Play at the Riverside Studios is an hilarious new comedy play by Ian Hallard exploring the kinkier side of life. After ten years of married life, Tom and Tim decide to spice up their sex life by booking an evening in a dungeon with a gorgeous male escort. Meanwhile, crime-busting superhero, the Stallion, and his intrepid side-kick, Butterfly, have been lured to the secret lair of their arch-nemesis: the dastardly Villainor. Actors Jake Maskall who plays Tom and Stallion, Matt Lapinskas who plays the escort Karl and Villainor, and Stephanie Siadatan who plays Danielle and Ingrida tell Boyz about their roles and the excitement of being back in front of a live audience.
What attracted you to the role?
Jake: I wanted to play this role because the writing is so fantastic, it’s really funny and I love comedy.
Matt: It’s a fun role and a great script that I wanted to be a part of.
Stephanie: Danielle is a powerful woman, but with a soft inside which is interesting, to explore what drives her underneath that hard exterior.
Are there aspects of your characters that you can relate to in your own life?
Jake: There’s lots actually. His love of football. His practicality: he seems to like nursing and feeding and looking after people.
Matt: Yes, there is. He likes to take care of his body, I like to take care of my body. I’m definitely not a male escort, but it’s a very interesting role and that’s what brought me to it.
Stephanie: I can relate to Danielle to be honest; there’s a soft inside to her. She’s a boss and she’s strong and powerful, so I like to think I can relate to that in real life. Maybe not the dominatrix side, but everything else, yes; there’s a lot I can draw from Danielle.
Are you excited post-pandemic to be acting in front of a live audience?
Jake: We’ve been so starved of having applause and laughter; yeah it’s really exciting for me.
Matt: I can’t actually wait. It’s going to be great to be back on stage. I did panto during COVID and we had a couple of show cancellations; but it will be lovely to be back on stage in London doing a show that everybody can come and watch. It’s going to be fun-filled, energetic and very, very funny.
Stephanie: I am so excited. I cannot wait. Feeling the energy and having them with you. Yes, I can’t wait!
Horse-Play runs from Tuesday 30th August to Saturday 24th September at the Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9BN. Box office: 020 8237 1010. Website: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/horse-play-33461
Rehearsal photos by Danny Kaan
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