Unlike teenager-centric shows that get under the skins of people or portray a false sense of euphoria, ‘I and You’ — a play written by Lauren Gunderson that premieres on 20th May — focuses on the realities of teenagers today through reel life. The anxieties, judgemental behaviour (teenagers are particularly scary) and social pressures are present in the play but in a more modern context when information and a self of self are derived from the internet, what is a mindset that moves the masses?
Here, Zulfiqar Izzudin who plays Anthony — the classic jock meets surprising SNAG meets modern-day Troy Bolton – takes us through his role.
Hi Zul, how’s it going?
I am doing well, thank you! I’m just very busy every day with intensive rehearsals now that the show is coming up really soon, it premieres on 20th May!
If you could somehow summarise I and You in 10 words or less, what would you say?
An important coming-of-age play about mental health and friendship
What was the casting process like? More importantly, how does it feel to act again after you know, COVID-19.
I’m very excited to be back performing for a full capacity audience. To exchange energy and just to tell a beautifully written story.
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How much of Anthony is you and how much of you is Anthony?
Unlike Anthony, I’m not really an outgoing person. I’m also nowhere near being a cool athlete. In playing Anthony, I really had to dig deep into the vulnerability of the character. I believe that everyone is vulnerable in their own way, no matter how outspoken or confident one appears to be. I would say that being Anthony is easy at times, but it also has its challenging moments.
I mean age plays a big part in this of course, with me being 10 years older than Anthony. But having a lot of friends similar to Anthony back in school helped a lot.
Do you remember, perhaps, what the casting process was like?
I was working on two other productions when a few of my friends sent me the casting call. I gave it a shot despite me thinking I wouldn’t get the part. With Covid-19 still at large, we auditioned in a huge space with me being far apart from Sam, our director, and a camera. So it felt like I had to work harder for me to be able to reach them.
After the initial audition, I had to go through two callbacks. I think Sam was finding the perfect chemistry between two actors for Anthony and Caroline.
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You know, our teenage years can be wild. Was it difficult acting as one?
I would like to think I am still young, and that there is no difficulty in acting as a teenager, but the truth is teens today face a very different world from when I was growing up. There is added complexity to their lives and their ways of communication due to social media and the way they consume content online.
So yes, I have had to do some research and study. I’m not gonna lie in saying being a fan of High School Musical helped me channel my inner Troy Bolton into Anthony.
Was there perhaps, a scene that you felt you did particularly well? Or was there one where you felt very choked up?
Similar to Anthony, I’m not really great when it comes to talking to a girl. So a bit of Zul comes into play quite seamlessly when Anthony has difficulty having to talk to Caroline. And like I said, I’m nowhere near being a cool and suave athlete. So having to play that is a bit… tough.
Did you read through Leaves of Grass, a book present in the play?
Leaves of Grass is inspired by how each leaf or blade of grass possesses its own distinct beauty, and together, the blades form a beautiful, unified whole. That’s exactly what I and You is about, how as the two individual leads come together as friends, they find greater mental strength in their unity.
But to be clear, the play talks about how Anthony shows up with the book Leaves of Grass for their class project, the link to Leaves of Grass is subliminal.
What’s next for you in 2022?
Besides being a freelance theatre practitioner, I am also a full time Spin instructor. So it’s kind of my personal goal to bring people who go to spin to the theatre and vice versa: growing two amazing similar communities at once. And yes, I do have other projects lined up for this year.
Lastly, out of curiosity, what song do you think Anthony would listen to all the time?
He is big into Jazz and specially Coltrane. So I would say he will listen to the whole of “A Love Supreme”.
Once you’re done with this interview with Zulfiqar Izzudin, get your tickets here to catch ‘I and You’ or click here to catch up with our May 2022 issue.
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