Interview: Luis Dias on Are We Friends? and the power of platonic connection

Open Door Collective's Are We Friends? (Camden Fringe)

Welcome back to Jackstage's interview series!! Up next we have Luis Dias, the writer, actor and director of Are We Friends?, a play debuting at Camden Fringe this summer. Presented as a member of Open Door Collective alongside actor Noah Matthews Matofsky, continue reading for Dias' process in creating this heartfelt production:

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1. Are We Friends? is an intimate two-hander of a play. Could you tell us a little more about it?

Are We Friends? follows two very different people who meet at exactly the right moment in their lives. Oliver is struggling with grief, addiction, and finding his place in the world. While Andrew, an aspiring actor with Down syndrome, has a unique way of seeing life that challenges Oliver to be more honest with himself. Through an unexpected friendship, they help each other navigate life's challenges and discover what it truly means to be seen, understood, and accepted. At its heart, the play is about connection. It's about the people who unexpectedly enter our lives and leave a lasting mark on us. There's a lot of humour, a lot of heart, and hopefully a few moments that stay with audiences long after they've left the theatre.

2. How did you come up with the idea for the play, and what inspired you to create it?

The play came from a desire to explore friendship in a way that felt honest and human. We often hear stories about romantic love, but friendships can shape our lives just as deeply. I wanted to tell a story about two people who find comfort and understanding in one another at a time when they need it most.

As both the writer and the actor playing Oliver, I've spent a lot of time with this character. He's flawed, complicated, and often gets in his own way, but I think that's what makes him relatable. The more I wrote, the more I became interested in the idea that sometimes the people who save us are the ones we least expect. A huge part of bringing the play to life has been working with Noah Matthews Matofsky, who plays Andrew. Noah has brought so much honesty, warmth, humour, and depth to the role that he's transformed the character in ways I never imagined while writing the play. Watching him inhabit Andrew has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process, and I genuinely believe the play is stronger because of what he brings to it.

3. How are you feeling about performing in the Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse? There's a real closeness with the audience, which feels perfect for your show!

We're incredibly excited. The Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse is such an intimate venue, and we honestly can't think of a better home for this production. The audience is close enough to experience every silence, every laugh, and every emotional moment alongside the characters, which feels perfect for a story like this. Are We Friends? is a very personal story about friendship, connection, and vulnerability, and we think sharing it in such an intimate space will make the experience even more powerful for both the audience and us.

4. What would you like audiences to take away from the production?

I hope audiences leave thinking about the people in their own lives. The play touches on themes of grief, addiction, loneliness, and mental health, but at its core it's about hope, friendship, and human connection. I hope it encourages people to appreciate the relationships they already have, while also remaining open to new friendships and unexpected connections. Sometimes the people who have the biggest impact on our lives are the ones we never saw coming. If audiences leave wanting to call a friend, reconnect with someone, or simply approach others with a little more openness and compassion, then I think we've done our job.

5. Who would your dream audience member be? If you could have anyone in the world attend?

Honestly, I don't think I have a dream audience member. For me, the most exciting thing about theatre is that you never know who is going to connect with a story. If I had one hope, it would simply be for the play to reach people who are open to connecting with it. Whether they're coming to the theatre with friends, family, or on their own, I'd love for them to see a little bit of themselves in Oliver and Andrew's journey. I also hope it encourages people to look beyond first impressions and remember that we rarely know what someone else is carrying. So often we judge people's behaviour without understanding the pain, struggles, or experiences that may be driving it.

6. When/where can people find you? And do you have any plans for the show after this run?

You can catch Are We Friends? at the Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of August at 7pm, as part of Camden Fringe 2026. At the moment, our focus is on sharing the story with audiences and making this production the best it can be. We’ve poured a lot of care and energy into it, and we’re really excited for people to experience it. Beyond Camden Fringe, we’d love to continue developing the play and explore future opportunities for the production. We believe there’s still plenty more life in Oliver and Andrew’s story.

Find ticket information and details here!