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 Halfway Down about their show Saint.
What can you tell me about your show?
From listening to Abba to first seeing Keira Knightly in Bend it Like Beckham, Saint explores many of the revolutionary and queer-coded moments we experience growing up. An intimate one-woman performance with striking honesty and humour, Saint is a bold new show that dissects sexuality and the social pressures of growing up gay.
From listening to Abba to first seeing Keira Knightly in Bend it Like Beckham, Saint explores many of the revolutionary and queer-coded moments we experience growing up. An intimate one-woman performance with striking honesty and humour, Saint is a bold new show that dissects sexuality and the social pressures of growing up gay.
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Inspired by many conversations with queer people about their own coming out journeys and pulling from the exceptional work of writer Jeanette Winterson, Saint is a down to Earth, funny and hopeful play full of queer joy. Whilst our character Candace dissects the pressure religion has on her queer identity, her storytelling is full of fun, whether inviting puppet Mary on stage for a song or having her own Christingle service with the audience.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Performed, directed and written by Kayleigh Benham, the piece feels personal and heartfelt. Although there are laughs throughout, there’s a dramatic crescendo and deep feeling ending that brings the show together. We’ve enjoyed making our audiences laugh, cry and gasp in equal measure.
How do/will you prepare for the Fringe?
Currently we’re making oranges out of air-dry clay.
Aside from that, we’re rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing, and signing up for just about any networking event we can find. Hope to meet some of you there!
Other than the show, what’s something you’re looking forward to doing in Edinburgh this year?
We’re really looking forward to meeting some other companies. We’ve been talking to many other incredible creators online and we’re itching to get to Edinburgh so we can meet them in person and make connections. As a new company, these meets are often inspiring, revitalising and validating.
If your show was a biscuit, what would it be and why?
A jammy dodger - hard and serious on the outside with a gooey, silly centre.
Give me a random fact about you/the show?
I LOVE the muppets! I wrote my dissertation on them! Our designer James is a puppet maker too, and including our judgemental Virgin Mary puppet in the show was a later addition as our creative practice changed to include more felt friends. We love all things puppetry, and we’ve loved seeing people’s reactions to our Mary.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Performed, directed and written by Kayleigh Benham, the piece feels personal and heartfelt. Although there are laughs throughout, there’s a dramatic crescendo and deep feeling ending that brings the show together. We’ve enjoyed making our audiences laugh, cry and gasp in equal measure.
How do/will you prepare for the Fringe?
Currently we’re making oranges out of air-dry clay.
Aside from that, we’re rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing, and signing up for just about any networking event we can find. Hope to meet some of you there!
Other than the show, what’s something you’re looking forward to doing in Edinburgh this year?
We’re really looking forward to meeting some other companies. We’ve been talking to many other incredible creators online and we’re itching to get to Edinburgh so we can meet them in person and make connections. As a new company, these meets are often inspiring, revitalising and validating.
If your show was a biscuit, what would it be and why?
A jammy dodger - hard and serious on the outside with a gooey, silly centre.
Give me a random fact about you/the show?
I LOVE the muppets! I wrote my dissertation on them! Our designer James is a puppet maker too, and including our judgemental Virgin Mary puppet in the show was a later addition as our creative practice changed to include more felt friends. We love all things puppetry, and we’ve loved seeing people’s reactions to our Mary.
What do you hope an audience takes away from seeing the show?
Hope. That’s the biggest message. The show explores some of the trials and tribulations of coming out and growing up, but there’s a real sense of joy around it too. A reminder that there’s a whole world of people out there who will listen to you, relate to you and accept you can be a revolutionary thing!
Where can audiences see the show?
theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall - 2nd-10th August at 23:10. See you there :)
theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall - 2nd-10th August at 23:10. See you there :)
Tickets are available from https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/saint#:~:text=An%20intimate%20one%2Dwoman%20performance,pressures%20of%20growing%20up%20gay.
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