[Wright's play is not exactly a docudrama. But between 1873 and 1874, Van Gogh, then in his early 20s, did indeed live at 87 Hackford Road SW9 in London. He worked in a branch of an Amsterdam uncle's art gallery.] I did a lot of research, both in England and Holland, ... We know that there was some sort of sexual arrangement. But the actual relationships in the play, I made them up. |
I did a lot of research, both in England and Holland. We know that there was some sort of sexual arrangement. But the actual relationships in the play, I made them up. |
So one day I just took the train over to Arles. It's only about two hours. And I was sitting in the actual square, at one of those cafe tables that you see in 'Starry Night,' and all around you the buildings are painted in Van Gogh colors. It's very exciting. Vincent sat more or less where I was sitting. |
Think of the contrast. Brixton in the 1870s. Dark, smoky, foggy London, the opposite of what we associate with Van Gogh's art: the bright colors and the sunny, open scenes in Provence. |
Vincent in Brixton |
We want it to be a private event and corporate function venue, rather than a vertical drinking establishment. We are in negotiations with the police, with whom we are building bridges. They are fairly receptive and co-operative. It's really a question on agreeing on wording. |