In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, Kate Skinner discusses their show Help! I’m Trapped In One Woman Show.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
It is an exploration of what it is to try to restart your life after losing your partner in love and all that that entails—the good, the bad & the ugly—and the hilarious.
It is an exploration of what it is to try to restart your life after losing your partner in love and all that that entails—the good, the bad & the ugly—and the hilarious.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I found myself telling my misadventures of starting to online date at 70 to my friends who all, to a person, found them hilarious (even if I didn’t!) and they encouraged me to “do something” with them but I didn’t know what until I had a dinner party and one of the guests asked each guest, “Where do you see yourself next year?” and out of my mouth popped, “I am going to take my one woman show to the Edinburgh Fringe.” I didn’t have a one woman show to take so then I had to get cracking!
How have you approached developing the show?
I have worked with a writer who I have also known for over 40 years. Luckily we have a similar sense of humour and also share the experience of losing a beloved partner. We had a close collaboration that involved long late night phone conversations, zoom sessions, an intense week long in-person session. We then did a public reading, a slot in a SoloFest at a theatre upstate New York, and a presentation in New York City. All of which taught us an enormous amount about what the show was and what it should be.
How would you describe the style of the show?
True life storytelling
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Hilarious, Insightful, Heart-wrenching
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
I have been a professional actor for over 45 years and each show has its own requirements. It has been a real learning experience for me to understand what doing a solo show truly requires as I have never done one before. Vastly different than doing a lead role in Shakespeare or an episode for Netflix.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Of course seeing a wide variety of other artists doing their “thing” and exploring the city of Edinburgh as much as my schedule permits.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Jeremy Stockwell is doing a show about Alan Watts which I am very much looking forward to.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
2 shows I have seen that are burned in my brain are Giorgio Strehler’s LA TEMPESTA and a production of EDWARD II in Vienna at the BurgTheatre also THROUGH THE LEAVES by Franz Xaver Kroetz. at the Public Theatre.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
Laughter of course and the recognition that no one is exempt from the trials of life and we must face them with courage, resilience and humour.
Where and when can people see your show?
My show is playing at the Dome in the Pleasance venues August 14-25 every day at 13:25pm.
Tickets are available https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/help-i-m-trapped-in-a-one-woman-show
Post a Comment