Theatrefolk Featured Play – Claque Attack by Lindsay Price

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Claque Attack by Lindsay Price is a fantastic class play that truly deserves a round of applause!

The standing ovation. The regram. The cheer. The boo. The slow clap. The post like. The lengthy applause.

How do you show your appreciation? How do you get the applause you want? How do you make the audience applaud? Do you control the audience or does the audience control you? Join us and find out the answers to all this and more…

Why did we publish this play?
When I was researching this topic, I was surprised to learn how far back the nature of applause, and the need for applause, actually goes. Who knew that Emperor Nero actually had a team of people follow him around applauding! We all need to be told we’re doing a good job. The need for applause is a great character trait and that makes it inherently theatrical. And being theatrical is always a good reason to publish a play.

Let’s hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
I’m fascinated by the nature of applause and the audience. Especially in this day and age where everyone seems to be asking for applause in some form or other through Instagram post likes or YouTube subscribers. There are some folks who will take down a post if it doesn’t get enough likes. Who is in control – the person asking for the applause or the person giving it?

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences.
A clapping contemplation on the nature of applause.

3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play?
There’s one scene where a group applauds for the whole scene because they’re afraid to be the first one to stop. This was the first scene I wrote – it’s based on a story from the Stalin years where an audience applauded for 15 minutes and the first person who stopped was arrested.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
No blackouts! This is a vignette play so each scene is independent of the other. Use music and creative transition staging to keep the play flowing and fluid.

5. Why is this play great for student performers?
The scene work makes it great for a class – everyone can rehearse at the same time, it’s easy to stage and costume.