Jack Stokes On the Challenge of Embodying 4 Characters In ‘This Is Not America’ At Edinburgh Fringe [VIDEO]

Jack is Back! Last year, Jack Stokes impressed New York City audiences and critics with his remarkable portrayal of a young British soldier in the WW2-era two hander Shellshocked which performed at the 59E59th Theater as part of the Brits Off Broadway series, bringing acclaimed UK work over each year. (Watch last year’s chat with Jack HERE.)

Shellshocked was written by Philip Stokes, Jack’s dad, who had also penned two lauded one-man shows for his son, Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me and Lash — A Pulsating New Play about Going Out!

A fourth 2-character play, Brighton ’84, premiered last year in the UK and also starred Jack. Set in the Grand Hotel in Brighton on October 12, 1984, the play explores the effects of the IRA attempted to assassinate conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on individuals who were present at the time.

Now, a brandy-new work is about to bow at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where the masters Stokes had their first three successes.

This is Not America, written and directed by the elder Stokes, is a one-young-man tour de force thriller exploring the dark side of what we like to call “the American Dream.” It will debut at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival (The piece has had two showcase performances.)

In the production, three characters, Cassius, Rocco and Salvatore, have been tossed into a room, separately, and are being questioned about a dead body. A fourth character, Paulie, enters the mix and as the narrative unfolds, the audience becomes privy to certain revelations that just might alter their initial impressions.

Jack plays all four roles. Boldly. Bravely. Relentlessly.

The success of the entire endeavor hinges on Jack’s embodiment of the characters. He’s often called on to switch voice and demeanor within seconds. And he does so rather miraculously. He is shirtless for the entire performance, possibly to titillate, maybe to distract from the disturbing tale being told and definitely to antagonize. But that choice also seems to give the actor the kind of driven and cocky freedom necessary to play these damaged beings, led by the traumatizing Paulie, in desperate need to claim, “the success, the power and the sex—the true Holy Trinity. The real American Dream.”

Presented by Richard Jordan Productions, 412, and Lawrence Batley Theatre in association with the Pleasance, This is Not America will perform at The Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two) August 5 – 31 at 11.05 (12.05). Book your tickets HERE.

And if you’re in the UK this fall, Brighton ’84 will perform in Harrogate in September (TICKETS) and Leeds in October (TICKETS).

The Contending caught up with Stokes, in midst of rehearsing for the Edinburgh run.