SNAP! post-show Q&A at the King's Head Theatre. © Ching Hsu

SNAP! post-show Q&A at the King’s Head Theatre. © Ching Hsu

A Q&A first for me last night at the King’s Head: an onstage raffle to open post-show proceedings for David O’Brien’s SNAP! as part of a benefit performance in aid of the International Students House, where David began his London life more than 50 years ago.

The International Students House (ISH) is a charity that enables young people from around the UK and the globe to achieve their academic ambitions in the capitol, one of the world’s most expensive cities. At its facility near Regent’s Park, thousands of students find a safe, diverse and affordable home-away-from home every year.

David O’Brien himself arrived at the House from his native Edinburgh in 1973 and has remained a longtime supporter and alumni champion ever since. Last night’s performance of SNAP! raised much-needed money for the charity’s Hardship Fund, including through the audience raffle, in which three winners received vouchers for ISH’s bar and restaurant.

Like ISH, SNAP! has loomed large over David’s life for many years. The idea for the musical, which sees a conniving photographer manipulate not just images but all around him, first came to David in the 1980s, when he was touring as a performer in Bill Kenwright’s long-running production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

This latest iteration of the musical gets this full staging at the King’s Head in a production directed and designed by Jack Storm. For the post-show talk, I was joined by David and Jack to discuss finding your way in London and in theatre, the likelihood of long-lasting love matches, and favourite teas and cocktails.

To understand why I suggest that the alternative title for the show should be “Damn You Autocorrect: The Musical”, you’ll have to catch it at the King’s Head. Before a possible Edinburgh Fringe run!

SNAP! continues at London’s King’s Head Theatre until 24 May 2025.

Q&A video

With thanks to Michael Pautsch.

Q&A photos

With thanks to Ching Hsu.

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