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 Lottie Walker who stars in Chopped Liver and Unions.
What can you tell me about your show?
It’s the untold true story of Sara Wesker, who was a trade unionist, feminist and political activist back in the first half of the 20th century. Sara was quite the character – when she realised there was no union representation for women she set up her own union; She led the “singing strikers” who repurposed popular tunes of the day with their own lyrics and sang on the picket lines to raise money. They even got a book of their songs published. Sara went on to fight the fascists at The Battle of Cable Street, lead rent strikes in the East End of London and become the inspiration for her nephew Arnold’s play “Chicken Soup With Barley”. She was quite the character!
It’s the untold true story of Sara Wesker, who was a trade unionist, feminist and political activist back in the first half of the 20th century. Sara was quite the character – when she realised there was no union representation for women she set up her own union; She led the “singing strikers” who repurposed popular tunes of the day with their own lyrics and sang on the picket lines to raise money. They even got a book of their songs published. Sara went on to fight the fascists at The Battle of Cable Street, lead rent strikes in the East End of London and become the inspiration for her nephew Arnold’s play “Chicken Soup With Barley”. She was quite the character!
A one person play with music. We’ve used some of the original strike songs as well as other more well know protest songs and music of the period to set the scene and ensure we’re presenting a play and not just a monologue. I defy anyone not to be humming on their way out. Forty years before Sara’s singing strike the Matchgirls from Bryant and May organised the first proper strike as we’d know it. Forty years after Sara’s strike the “Made in Dagenham” girls walked out of Ford’s. They both get a mention (they’ve both got a musical about them too). Although the times Sara lived in were pretty dark (not dissimilar from today in many ways) the audience is never far away from the chance for a singalong. The play is peppered with that self-deprecating humour that is the trademark of the East End and its people who very often have only had their humour to keep them going. I’m an Eastender myself and one of the first things I learned as a toddler was not to take myself seriously. It’s served me well; very little offends me.
How do/will you prepare for the Fringe?
Tough question, this, as I’m self-producing, so there’s a ton of work to do that is not at all creative. Preparation has included arranging accommodation, booking train tickets, writing lists and lists and lists, doing interviews, trying to keep on top of social media and making sure we have everything we need for the run. I’ve also been rehearsing the play and doing my best to read up more on the background to the story so I’m well prepared for performance. Self-care comes a pretty poor third to all this but I have been eating my greens…
Tough question, this, as I’m self-producing, so there’s a ton of work to do that is not at all creative. Preparation has included arranging accommodation, booking train tickets, writing lists and lists and lists, doing interviews, trying to keep on top of social media and making sure we have everything we need for the run. I’ve also been rehearsing the play and doing my best to read up more on the background to the story so I’m well prepared for performance. Self-care comes a pretty poor third to all this but I have been eating my greens…
Other than the show, what’s something you’re looking forward to doing in Edinburgh this year?
For the first time ever I’m going to take a proper day off from Fringeing and spend one of my two days at the Botanical Gardens on my own. It’s such a lovely, peaceful space and I’ve learned the hard way that it’s important to get away from the madness. I’ve also got lots of shows booked – there’s some fabulous stuff happening this year – and will be catching up with my Fringe chums, who usually live in the weird world of social media but magically come to life in August. It’s so nice to meet people in person.
For the first time ever I’m going to take a proper day off from Fringeing and spend one of my two days at the Botanical Gardens on my own. It’s such a lovely, peaceful space and I’ve learned the hard way that it’s important to get away from the madness. I’ve also got lots of shows booked – there’s some fabulous stuff happening this year – and will be catching up with my Fringe chums, who usually live in the weird world of social media but magically come to life in August. It’s so nice to meet people in person.
If your show was a biscuit, what would it be and why?
Oh definitely a Ginger Nut. No nonsense, familiar and yet never failing to surprise with that kick of an after taste.
Oh definitely a Ginger Nut. No nonsense, familiar and yet never failing to surprise with that kick of an after taste.
Give me a random fact about you/the show?
Here’s one about the show: Sir Arnold Wesker announced his knighthood at a party in the room we rehearse in.
Here’s one about the show: Sir Arnold Wesker announced his knighthood at a party in the room we rehearse in.
And here’s one about me: I genuinely like jellied eels!
What do you hope an audience takes away from seeing the show?
We did the show in Brighton earlier this year and several people there said it was the perfect piece to inspire young women and should be on the school syllabus. That was nice and if we can inspire even one person to take their own future in their hands we’ll have succeeded. It’s also important to remember that we’re in the business of entertainment and if people wanted a lecture they’d go to the Open University. I’m a storyteller not a lecturer and I want everyone to leave the show with a smile on their face, an ear worm in their ear and a badge on their lapel. The badges are fab.
We did the show in Brighton earlier this year and several people there said it was the perfect piece to inspire young women and should be on the school syllabus. That was nice and if we can inspire even one person to take their own future in their hands we’ll have succeeded. It’s also important to remember that we’re in the business of entertainment and if people wanted a lecture they’d go to the Open University. I’m a storyteller not a lecturer and I want everyone to leave the show with a smile on their face, an ear worm in their ear and a badge on their lapel. The badges are fab.
Where can audiences see the show?
We’re at Paradise in Augustine’s in the Studio (Venue 152). Preview is 2nd August at 19.50, Then we run through from 3rd-24th (not 11th and 18th) at 13.25.
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