Award-winning theatre-maker Emma Frankland brings her award-winning show ‘No Apologies’, a radical reimagining of Nirvana’s iconic MTV Unplugged gig, to Newcastle’s Live Theatre on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October. Damian Robinson caught up with Emma to find out more about their love of Nirvana, grunge and progressive conversations.
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged gig is an iconic show. What prompted you to create something inspired by its legacy?
The MTV Unplugged gig has always been an important show for me. I was 14 when I heard it for the first time, and I think what you hear at that age forms you and your musical taste. So, for me, it’s totally iconic – the songs, the outfits, the staging, even the banter between the band. Some people want to restage Hamlet; for me, it was this gig.
You’ve worked at reimagining the original gig. Without giving too much away, what parts have you reimagined and why?
I think that centring a transfeminine body in such a recognisable setting helps us rewrite the past as a place where trans people have existed, even if they weren’t always visible. We’ve always been here, and we always will be.
People might be interested in the creative process behind a reimagining. How were you able to decide which elements of the show to keep while amending others?
The show actually began as a short cabaret piece, commissioned by Marlborough Productions for Trans Pride Brighton – one of the oldest and largest trans protest marches in Europe. Just as grunge grew out of resistance to the mainstream music industry, ‘No Apologies’ grew out of resistance and a refusal to be defined by expectations of autobiographical performance and, as a queer and trans performer, my resistance to expectations of gender.
You’ve been on the road with the show. How have you found the response and, again without giving too much away, what parts of the show do people seem to connect with most?
It’s been a phenomenal experience. This year, we’ll have toured the show to ten different countries, from Germany to Brazil and from the Balkans to my home town in Cornwall! I have found it incredible that, despite very different cultural settings, the piece has still resonated with audiences. Part of that, I think, is the relatable experience of growing up as an outsider, and also people’s love for the music of Kurt Cobain. In a lot of countries, grunge was the soundtrack to revolution and change, and that’s powerful to invoke.
I’d imagine a lot of Nirvana and music fans are protective of the Unplugged show. How have those concerns affected your approach?
I think the real Nirvana heads know that I’m holding the memory with respect and keeping it true to Kurt’s politics, which were very progressive. We were really honoured to have a post-show discussion with Everett True recently, who knew Kurt. He was keen to remind us that Kurt was a feminist and a supporter of gay rights at a time when that wasn’t cool. He said Kurt would have loved what we’ve done, which was a huge validation.
Newcastle favourites Elvana, like you, put their own spin on Nirvana. Have you come across them during your time here?
Yes, I have seen their videos and I think the concept is amazing.
‘No Apologies’ plays at Live Theatre in Newcastle on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October. Tickets, priced from £12.00 in advance, are available at live.org.uk.
