4am Productions Bring ‘They Don’t Really Care About Us’ Play To Liverpool Fringe

4am Productions is set to bring back their acclaimed show They Don’t Really Care About Us to the Liverpool Fringe this October. Directed by co-founder Sab Mathusamy, the production delves deep into themes of racism, family, and community, capturing the rawness of real-life experiences. The show was a hit during its last run and with recent events echoing its narrative, it feels more relevant than ever. We caught up with Sab to discuss what prompted this revival and how it continues to resonate with current events and audiences alike.

Liverpool Noise: They Don’t Really Care About Us was a powerful production last time. What prompted you to bring it back for the Liverpool Fringe this October, and how does it resonate with current events?

Sab: The show last time out was such a huge success and has garnered a special place in our hearts and the way it touched people and impacted them made it a clear and obvious choice to put it on again. It’s a show that people will resonate with on every level – it’s set in Liverpool but also focusses on family, love, friendship.

The show had gotten a bit of a name and people talking so we hoped people would be excited that we brought it back. I’d always wanted to do support and so something for the Fringe and doing this show made the most sense. We have always said the show isn’t a story, it’s real life and sadly the events of August show that the themes of our show are still prevalent in society today which whilst hard to take, is not surprising.

It shows that racism, discrimination and injustice are not going anywhere, and people should be awake to what is going on because it’s scary. The events of our play are based on real life experiences I and others have suffered and for us, it’s an ideal avenue to show you the real life suffering people have to go through.

Liverpool Noise: The casting process for the show sounded intense. Did the cast evolve for this iteration of the show, or are you working with the same actors from the previous run?

Sab: The cast of this show is family. Simple as. We all bonded so tightly during the first run, perhaps because of the strong nature of the themes but also the loving nature of everyone involved, so we wanted to keep the same cast. They are the biggest part of it all and they are their characters and they can tell this story better than anyone. We are all so proud of this show and the story and each other and we believe passionately in it. We had to change one actor, this down to the former actor being unable to appear due to work commitments. Rich Dee has joined the cast and he has fitted in seamlessly!

Liverpool Noise: Can you tell us how the Liverpool audience has reacted to “They Don’t Really Care About Us” so far, and what you hope to achieve with this new staging?

Sab: First time round, we had a sell out 3 night run, there were audible gasps, claps, tears and you could hear the anger in the room! It was exactly what we wanted. People have continued to be excited by it We get messages all the time with people excited to watch it and even people who saw it first time round, are keen to see it again. For us, we are going on a nationwide tour next year supported by the arts council so we want to use this time to try new things and get the show ready for the tour! 

Liverpool Noise: Beyond your own work, are there any shows or theatre companies you’re particularly excited about at this year’s Liverpool Fringe or beyond?

Sab: Make it Write are synonymous with the Fringe – Sharon and Ted have done an amazing job building it up and the studio below has become such a hub in Liverpool. They are producing and putting on a lot of great shows that I am keen to see and I am sure will pick up a lot of awards. Benie Winston is involved in two plays at the fringe I believe and his work is always of the highest standard so can’t wait to see those.

Liverpool Noise: Liverpool’s theatre scene is growing with a diverse range of productions. Are there any specific plays, genres, or trends that you’re noticing, which have caught your eye as a director or playwright?

Sab: I have noticed a trend of a lot of new companies coming and being really experimental in their choices. There has been a brave shift into more psychological and mind bending theatre as we saw with Deadhead which was amazing and visually striking. Creators are trying to push boundaries, there are so many of us in the scene that everyone is really pushing the bar each time by giving something new! I recently watched Killers Conscience by BadHaus Productions which blended horror with psychology which again was a unique type of theatre and very bold it its approach and what it wanted to do! 

They Don’t Really Care About Us
5 & 6 October 2024
Valley Theatre (As part of Liverpool Fringe)
Tickets