sam shammas productions - double desire

original poster artwork, designed by dewynters plc

Double Desire (Stealing and Untrue Stories) by Patrick Mackie
Directed by Sam Shammas
Performed at the New End Theatre, Hampstead
Tuesday 19th September - Sunday 15th October 1995

Stealing was originally staged at the 1995 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Directed by Sam Shammas
World première at C-Venue 19
Wednesday 9th August - Saturday 2nd September 1995

"...An interesting play, with excellent performances...I particularly enjoyed the quirkiness of the writing...[a] combination of detached indolence, reckless wit, and dedication to kicks."
Catherine Fellows, The Scotsman (August 29th 1995)

"...Taut, witty and cerebral... comic and atmospheric...the wit and tension of the dialogue are achieved with great technical skill...staged with confidence by director Sam Shammas."
Palash Dave, What's On (September 27th 1995)

Mackie's work started emerging at Oxford University where his first play, Untrue Stories was described as "a great production: the first night was virtually flawless... the script is cleverly written and well-crafted". Other newspapers wrote that "his style is remarkably fluid and witty, full of word-play and aphorism that is not merely embellishment." While at university, he wrote poetry and art criticism, edited the May Anthologies of creative writing, and also the arts section of Isis magazine. His other credits at the time included an adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons and a new play called The Body.

Stealing takes place in the aftermath of a jewel robbery. Robert, his wife Rebecca, and their friend Bobby meet in a disused building to allow police activity to subside. Doubts begin to surface as the anxiety of waiting increases and the night darkens. Robert believes that Rebecca and Bobby are having an affair, and Rebecca is sure that the two men want to betray each other. Greed turns to suspicion and eventually violence.

Untrue Stories is split into two halves. The first is abstract and based on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. The second is set in modern day England and dissects the fall-out of a one-night stand. Parallels between the two halves begin to emerge, not least the fact that the strongest desire often leads to the greatest weakness.

These two plays were performed together as Double Desire.