Jeffrey Jay Fowler’s latest theatric offering, The Rusalka Thread, blurs the lines between mythology, comedy and mystery. Based on Russian folklore, a rusalka is the soul of a drowned maiden, left to live a half-life in the waters of her death. In what he describes as a mix between Scooby Doo and Mulholland Drive, this new work incorporates stylized movement, evocative soundscapes and Fowler’s teenage love of computer games.

How did you come across the folklore of the rusalka?

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A rusalka appears in a computer game I played when I was a kid, Quest for Glory 4. It’s a gothic adventure game which takes a lot of reference from Russian folklore. I was a real adventure game geek, and QfG4 was always my favourite. The hero you play comes across her in a lake, and if you’re honorable enough you can avenge her death (though you don’t have to in order to complete the game). All these years on the Rusalka is still one of my favourite characters. While considering concepts with Natalie Holmwood, the lore of rusalka came up in conversation. After some research into other places the myth has appeared, we decided it was an appropriate jumping board for a play about loss, death and mystery. In a way, I’m recreating something from my childhood however lame or geeky that might sound.

What place does mythology and folklore have in modern day writing?

Stories survive the test of time because they remain relevant, or at least interesting. There’s something in them that an audience can resonate with and understand. I’m not concerned with being original as much as I am concerned with creating an interesting canvas. Why not start with a template?

Can you briefly describe the creative process behind developing The Rusalka Thread?

We’ve been working on the characters and their backgrounds on and off for months, but the actual writing of the play is still happening. The performers – Jo Morris, Oda Aunan and Skye Sobejko – are still working in collaboration with Natalie Holmwood and I to make decisions about the final product. How comic or mysterious it will be is still up in the air – but that’s where we’ve imagined it venturing. After months of preparation it usually takes me about a week and a half to actually write a play.

The Rusalka Thread opens at the Blue Room Studio on June 24 and runs until July 12. Click here for a chance to win giveaway tickets.