Sheffield University Theatre Company is set to open its new season with the original play Something to Do with Bolivian Affairs. The original play will debut on October 30th at the University of Sheffield Drama Studio and will run until November 1st.

Written and produced by Matthew Heppell, the play draws inspiration from playwrights such as Oscar Wilde and Noël Coward, by blending farce and comedy with political undertones.

Abbie Wright, who stars as Ella Lang, offers a glimpse into the story’s central conflict:
“So Ella is throwing a surprise party for her husband Joseph, but unbeknownst to her, he was planning on asking her for a divorce that evening.

“So with all of his friends around, he sort of brings it up there that he doesn’t want to be with his wife anymore. And then subsequently runs away with one of their close friends.

“And in the backdrop of all of this, there’s a war going on in Bolivia, which everybody likes to talk about without really knowing anything about it.”

Wright said that, compared to her previous productions, Bolivian Affairs was her first “silly play.”

“I’ve been in very serious plays before, so it’s really exciting for me to be able to build my confidence as a comedy actor.

“It’s such a different experience doing a drama compared to a comedy because it’s so much more giggling at rehearsals. Everyone’s having such a nice time all the time.”

The play was written 3 years ago, while Heppell was doing his A-levels, but has only recently gone into production in the past year.

Caitlin Wood, the Set designer said: “There’s been a buzz about it, all through SUTCo (Sheffield University Theatre Company) there’s been rumblings of Bolivian Affairs happening. The production team got together a year ago, and so everyone’s been talking about it for a year now.”

“It’s quite a big thing. Every now and again, everyone gets really excited for one specific show, which kind of feels like what it’s been with Bolivian Affairs.”

“Matthew found the confidence to put it on and realised that it could be a really good thing. And that’s what pushed it to actually happen.”

Wood said that she has never designed a set before Bolivian Affairs, but enjoyed the process.

“There is a lot of physical comedy in this play, and it’s got a lot of specific set things that tie into the story.

“It’s been really fun doing the set design and knowing what I need to do and reading the script and seeing ‘Oh that’s where that’s used!’

“It’s very interwoven with the text of the play, which is making it quite rewarding.”

To book tickets for Something to do with Bolivian Affairs, visit: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/shearwood-road/sheffield-university-drama-studio/something-to-do-with-bolivian-affairs-by-matthew-heppell/e-erayok