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, Callaghan discusses their show Hysteria: A History of Human Sexuality with Callaghans Questions.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
I will always be an educator and sounding board for people to cure their lack of information, #Hysteria is my love letter to everyone who has been failed. I'm making the history of human sexuality, gender, pleasure and more accessible, fun and non-taboo.
I'm giving permission to laugh at how silly we have been and continue to be, whilst also delivering scientifically and historically accurate information.
You'll learn something new, and laugh at least once, or your money back!
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I was a science teacher for a decade, and a consistently shocking aspect of that job was parents who were not equipped to educate their children on their bodies, just in terms of general health, not even in a safe sex context.
They were constantly making the call to take their children out of reproductive and relationship health classes. I’m talking parents who were not literate, could not tell you what the curriculum actually was, didn’t prepare their daughters for their first menstrual cycle in the slightest (leading to more than one kid melting down with me, sure they were dying) who more than anything did not want their children learning about consent in any capacity because that might lead them to realise they are in an abusive dynamic with their families, communities and god.
I think that access to correct information, especially about our bodies, is an immutable human right, and why not be entertaining at the same time? So #Hysteria was born.
They were constantly making the call to take their children out of reproductive and relationship health classes. I’m talking parents who were not literate, could not tell you what the curriculum actually was, didn’t prepare their daughters for their first menstrual cycle in the slightest (leading to more than one kid melting down with me, sure they were dying) who more than anything did not want their children learning about consent in any capacity because that might lead them to realise they are in an abusive dynamic with their families, communities and god.
I think that access to correct information, especially about our bodies, is an immutable human right, and why not be entertaining at the same time? So #Hysteria was born.
How have you approached developing the show?
The show was actually born on the last night of our Edinburgh 2024 Fringe season, I sat raising a glass with my beautiful producer Ray and I said - 'I think I have a show, I think we call it Hysteria and I think we go through the absolutely chaotic journey which is the history of human sexuality'.
Within a week (un-medicated insomnia makes you productive) I had a script drafted and took it to the beautiful Panad team Ray and my amazing director Katie Bonham, who helped me rehearse, workshop and fine tune the script. After a trial run (and sell out show) at the Brighton Fringe, we knew we were edging towards a spectacular climax.
How would you describe the style of the show?
We're combining a few of my passions here, scripted comedy, character comedy, drag, burlesque and wildly accurately facts and research.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Hysterical, educational, intriguing.
Can you tell me an interesting fact about the show?
One of my favourite facts in the show is 'egg inception', so when you're born you have all the eggs you'll have for the rest of your life in your ovaries, meaning when your grandmother was pregnant with your mother, your mother's eggs and the egg that would become you were already in there. Don't think about it too hard.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
We are only doing one week this year, but next year when we do a full run my plan is to just lean into insanity.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh
It's lovely to be in a city full of queer and talented creatives, the Edinburgh bubble is real.
It's also great to be back in my ancestral homeland, my grandfather hailed from Renfrew.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
As A Canadian, I can vouch that the poutine at Down the Hatch (Leith Walk way) is legit.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Jess Carrivick's For Your Consideration, Christian Dart's Gumshoe. Aidan Sadler's Moonshine Rhapsody, and Blues and Burlesque starring Belle de Beauvoir. And anything by a Soho Labs alumni should be brilliant.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
In Chicago I saw the Addams Family musical with Nathan Lane, it was the first time it occured to me that this could be my job. Also, fun fact I almost got named Wednesday.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
Education, catharsis, joy and laughter.
Where and when can people see your show?
Gilded Balloon's Appleton Tower (Ruby), 30th July to 3rd August at 13:40, we're then at the Courtyard Theatre for Camden Fringe the 8th and 9th August at 21:00.
All shows here: https://www.panadproductions.co.uk/hysteria-2025
All shows here: https://www.panadproductions.co.uk/hysteria-2025
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