As part of our Edinburgh Fringe 2024 coverage, we are running a series of interviews with artists and creatives that are taking part in the festival.
In this interview, we speak to Lotte Pearl about The Emu War.
Where did your arts career begin?
I started off singing when I was little, apparently I used to babble little tunes when I was only 18 months. Then when I was 14 I started writing songs and gigging around Sussex (where I’m originally from). I decided I want to act when I was 16 and I then got into the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where I met the rest of the team of The Emu War: A New Musical, and we started making it in April of 2023!
Our show is a fun comedy musical inspired by the true events of ‘The Great Emu War’ of 1932. A bunch of farmers, who were WW1 veterans, were having trouble with the local wildlife - emus. These emus were eating up all of their wheat. They called the government and the plan that was decided upon, was shooting at them with machine guns. But the emus were much stronger than anyone had anticipated. Our show uses the absurdity of this war to create a funny and poignant musical, with lots of catchy tunes.
Fun, Comedy, Musical, Surprisingly Poignant
We have an incredibly collaborative rehearsal room. One of the most important things to me is kindness in the rehearsal room and making sure everyone is listened to and respected, some of the best ideas come from a spur of the moment thought. I feel very lucky to be part of such a kind and loving ensemble.
Practice! Lots of practice of the show. Before we get there we will have done 6 previews. So the blocking and characters will be very much in our bones. Also, making sure everyone is taking care of themselves, lots of sleep, good food & kindness.
I really want to see the Kafka musical with puppets. I love Metamorphosis so am very excited to watch that. I’m also going to watch ‘A young man dressed as a gorilla dressed as an old man rocking on a rocking chair for 50 minutes.’ I tried to watch it last year but the line was too long! It’s only on once a year, I have to watch it.
Funny quirky art. I love watching irreverent funny things. I think comedy and laughter is so important in life. Last year I watched ‘International House of Vape’ and that show really blew me away how it had me laughing hysterically for 30 minutes and then almost crying for the last 10. I loved it so much.
What do you hope an audience takes away from seeing the show?
I hope they will have had lots of fun and will have learnt something about Australia in 1932! Also the futility of war and how crazy strong emus are.
Where can audiences see the show?
Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two) at 12:00 noon, 31st July - 25th August (not 14th).
Post a Comment