Fast is a dark psychological drama based on true events. Set at the turn of the previous century in an isolated region of the Pacific Northwest, the play examines the notorious ‘Doctor’ Linda Hazzard. Complex, beguiling and utterly driven, Hazzard advocated a fasting cure that gripped the press and divided the nation. Her ideas were not new, yet Hazzard was subjected to intense scrutiny. Was she pursued because she was a woman in a man’s world, or were there darker forces at play? As they take their seats, the audience are invited to journey with two of her patients, the wealthy Ashworth sisters, and to consider how far they would go to find the perfect cure.
We spoke to playwright and actor Kate Barton to find out more…
What originally drew you into the arts world?
My first experience of the arts world was actually with thevery brilliant Youth Action Theatre in Teddington. I got to play Mole in Toad of Toad Hall, and I really enjoyed immersing myself in another character. Those weekly classes definitely led to my training as an actor at The Poor School and then, to a Masters in Creative Writing with a focus on writing for performance. I think as a writer, you have a little more control over when you can work, and that is very pleasing!
Do you think you would ever act in something you wrote?
Actually, I did act in a production of Fast at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018! I was asked to play the role of one of the sisters and I initially worried that it might be a conflicting experience and difficult for the other actors, who’d seen me in the capacity of playwright. In the end, I actually asked to audition, and I’m so glad I ended up doing the role. I can always say that I’ve performed at The Edinburgh Fringe!
What was the process like to choose to write about ‘Dr’ Linda Hazzard, and then decide how to stage her story?
I chose to write about Linda Hazzard because as an actor, I was vividly aware of how few exciting leading parts there are for women after the age of 40 (I remember Dame Harriet Walter discussing this in an interview at the time I was writing). Finding Hazzard’s powerful, proselyting voice was another matter, but it started to come through when I read her book ‘Fasting for the Cure of Disease’ and researched female serial killers. It all made for rather grim bedtime reading!
Fast originally ran in 2018, how has the play changed since those first shows?
I think that Fast has gone on a massive journey, and London showed that there was a lot of interest in a screenplay version of the play. My training is within theatre and radio, so I asked the incredibly talented Stephen Bennett to come on board to support me. Shortly after we started work, we had interest from an audio producer and then the brilliant Steven Leslie. Thankfully, Stephen Bennett wanted to stay on board and we worked together to lengthen the play, and then to consider feedback from a readthrough. I am very excited about the version that we have now and I hope that the audience willthoroughly enjoy the new character we have added and some exciting plot twists!
The story of ‘Dr’ Hazzard is quite a complex one, what are your thoughts behind her character?
I wish I could say that I know the real Hazzard inside and out, but of course, that is impossible. One can only research so much and in the end, I was grateful that she seemed to started talking by herself! Whatever the real Hazzard was like, I know that Stephen and I wanted to show some key aspects of her personality. We wanted the audience to enjoy being manipulated by this person, just as she likely manipulated people in real life. We also wanted to show that she stood apart in a man’s world and was really rather impressive at times. You have to see the ‘good’ in a character if you’re going to write about them…
And what has it been like to write from her perspective?
Interestingly, I think her voice came quite easily once the initial research began. Interviews from key female serial killers gave me an understanding of a common sense of patriarchal oppression and this seemed to tally with my research on the woman herself. I remember I found it hard reading about certain aspects that would have consumed the ‘doctor’; the physical process of dying left me feeling rather ill at ease!
Will you bring other True Crime stories to life?
The next play that I’m writing is also based on a true story, but it isn’t a ‘true crime’ play in the same way. There is perhaps a criminal element, but it’s actually about challenging prejudice and societal norms in Victorian times! The main character is incredibly well known and I’m hoping that that will intrigue…
When and where can people see Fast?
Fast is on Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 29th October to the 17th November 2024. Perfect for the time of year!
And where can people follow your work?
Thank you. They can follow me @katebartonsays on Instagram and also at www.katebarton.net