A stage play by Floyd Toulet. Recognised by the V&A National Video Archive of Performance and endorsed by Peter Egan.
Following a successful run in London, KNOCK KNOCK will make its US debut at the New York Theater Festival this April. The play will be directed by Chloe Champken and performed by Joe Staton and Adele Batchelder.
SYNOPSIS
Trigger Warning: contains scenes relating to mental health that some audiences may find upsetting.
"When we suffer, we suffer as equals. And in their capacity to suffer, a dog is a pig is a bear... is a boy." Philip Wollen.
KNOCK KNOCK tells the story of a man who lives with Dissociative Identity disorder (D.I.D.) - known, until 1994, as Multiple Personality Disorder. It is a rare psychological condition in which two or more distinct identities or personality states, are present in an individual and alternately take control of that individual. The person also experiences extensive memory loss. Usually, the primary identity or ‘host’ carries the individual’s given name and is passive, guilty and or depressed. Each of the identities or ‘alters’ is experienced as though it has a distinct history and self-image with a separate name, reported age, gender and personal history.
The various identities may or may not like or approve of one another or even know of one another’s existence. D.I.D. is thought to result from severe trauma during childhood. It is a coping mechanism - the person dissociates his / her conscious self from a situation or experience that is too painful to acknowledge.
A slaughterhouse is set on fire and the man believed to be responsible is questioned. A disturbing game of cat and mouse ensues until a series of flashbacks finally exposes the truth.
WRITTEN BY – Floyd Toulet
DIRECTED BY–Chloe Champion
Joe Staton - Man
Adele Batchelder - Woman
Music by kind permission of the composer, Kai Engel
Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Some strong language.
Recommended for 15 and older.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Absolutely spellbinding"
London Audience Club
 Floyd Toulet - WriterFloyd Toulet was born in Johannesburg and spent much of his childhood travelling between South Africa, Mauritius and Australia until he finally settled in England. Before writing for the stage, Floyd worked for over 20 years as a freelance advertising copywriter. Recent theatre work includes The Terribly Disappointing Mr. Pummel, SNARED and KNOCK KNOCK. |  Joe Staton - DirectorJoe Staton is a British Actor based in New York City and London. He is a recent graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting (Two year Evening Conservatory) in New York and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London (One Year Foundation Diploma). Originally from Minehead, Sommerset, he grew up in France and Spain. |
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 Lucy Bagley (Cast)Lucy Bagley studied Music and drama at Kent University. Her theatre work includes both regional theatre and national tours with Hull Truck. Other highlights include the BBC Radio rep, credits in Eastenders and a highly successful one woman show, 'Soldering on Wendy Jessop' that successfully toured the UK, Europe and United States. Lucy is a gifted actress who brings depth and intelligence to every performance. |  Philip Blair (Cast)Philip Blair has worked with the Wrotham Players in Frankenstein and Night Must Fall, broadcast on Radio 4 and earned rave reviews playing the lead in Touted Folly’s original production of KNOCK KNOCK on the London Fringe. Philip has also appeared as The Stench in the Astor Theatre’s production of The Snowdome, and Derek in Excempt Production, Looking for a Way Out. He has recently completed filming in Dracula, the Messiah, for Two Cities Films, where he played the lead part of Dracula. |
“I have dissociative identity disorder.
Do you know what that means?
It means people like you think I’m insane.”
Surprising, powerful and unsettling, KNOCK KNOCK takes you on a journey deep into a mind broken by the past.
“I hear voices in my head. Each one as recognisable and individual to me as yours is to you."
"KNOCK KNOCK dares us not to look away."
Peter Egan
Actor and Advocate
