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, Emma Frankland discusses their show No Apologies.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
It’s about wishful thinking and how important that is - that, especially as trans or queer people who haven’t always seen ourselves reflected in culture, it is within our power to imagine things how we would like them to be - and in doing so, we could change the world!
It’s also about growing up in a remote, coastal town in the 90’s and how my life might have been changed if Kurt Cobain had come out as trans! Grunge, greek mythology reinterpreted, touchpoints on the current state of the world and exploring interpretations of Nirvana’s back catalogue, all in sixty minutes!? We pack in a lot!
It’s also about growing up in a remote, coastal town in the 90’s and how my life might have been changed if Kurt Cobain had come out as trans! Grunge, greek mythology reinterpreted, touchpoints on the current state of the world and exploring interpretations of Nirvana’s back catalogue, all in sixty minutes!? We pack in a lot!
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I was really inspired by obscure trans internet discourse around Kurt Cobain’s gender identity - it’s been a fun topic for years! And then the aesthetic and the soul of the show really came from Kurt - and in particular the 1993 Nirvana MTV Unplugged gig.
I was really inspired by obscure trans internet discourse around Kurt Cobain’s gender identity - it’s been a fun topic for years! And then the aesthetic and the soul of the show really came from Kurt - and in particular the 1993 Nirvana MTV Unplugged gig.
How have you approached developing the show?
It started as a cabaret act in 2018 but we really started bringing it together as a full show at the beginning of this year. I have been working with an amazing team, collaborating for the second time with the brilliant Harry Clayton-Wright as well as my brother, Keir Cooper who designed the soundtrack.
It started as a cabaret act in 2018 but we really started bringing it together as a full show at the beginning of this year. I have been working with an amazing team, collaborating for the second time with the brilliant Harry Clayton-Wright as well as my brother, Keir Cooper who designed the soundtrack.
Our rule for the show was that if it was onstage in the 1993 MTV gig, then it could be on our stage too!
How would you describe the style of the show?
It’s definitely got that 90’s grunge aesthetic - at times you feel you’re at a punk gig .. but then there’s also moments that are really transcendent and huge in scale, operatic even!
It’s definitely got that 90’s grunge aesthetic - at times you feel you’re at a punk gig .. but then there’s also moments that are really transcendent and huge in scale, operatic even!
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Surprising, passionate, real.
Surprising, passionate, real.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
I’m taking myself and my kid off camping for a week before coming up and I think it’s about remembering why we are coming. I am really passionate about telling this story right now, the current climate for the trans community is really hostile and I want to honour this story and also Kurt Cobain’s life. So that means looking after myself while I am up - early nights and plenty of rest!
I’m taking myself and my kid off camping for a week before coming up and I think it’s about remembering why we are coming. I am really passionate about telling this story right now, the current climate for the trans community is really hostile and I want to honour this story and also Kurt Cobain’s life. So that means looking after myself while I am up - early nights and plenty of rest!
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
I cannot wait to be inspired by the other brilliant artists who are bringing work - the Summerhall programme in particular looks fantastic - and it always replenishes me to see such a variety of world class performances!
I cannot wait to be inspired by the other brilliant artists who are bringing work - the Summerhall programme in particular looks fantastic - and it always replenishes me to see such a variety of world class performances!
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
There’s a cocktail bar in Leith that does the best Martini I have ever tasted - it’s got oyster shell and pine needles and it is truly life changing.Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
I am excited for In Bed With My Brother’s show about the Shaggs (who were Kurt Cobain’s favourite band!) I think our shows will really speak to each other. And one of my favourite Edinburgh performers is Ben Moor, who has a new show (A Three Thing Day) on at Pleasance. I have been watching Ben’s shows since I was a teenager and he is honestly one of the most delightful and clever artists I know - truly a festival must!
I am excited for In Bed With My Brother’s show about the Shaggs (who were Kurt Cobain’s favourite band!) I think our shows will really speak to each other. And one of my favourite Edinburgh performers is Ben Moor, who has a new show (A Three Thing Day) on at Pleasance. I have been watching Ben’s shows since I was a teenager and he is honestly one of the most delightful and clever artists I know - truly a festival must!
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
Other than Ben’s work! I think the early shows that inspired me were the ones put on by my local Amateur Dramatics group - Carnon Downs Drama Group - who put on incredible and ambitious shows throughout my childhood - I really learnt my craft there. And then as an adult, the anarchic flavour of Russian company Akhe showed me how ambitiously messy, dangerous and alive performance could be!
Other than Ben’s work! I think the early shows that inspired me were the ones put on by my local Amateur Dramatics group - Carnon Downs Drama Group - who put on incredible and ambitious shows throughout my childhood - I really learnt my craft there. And then as an adult, the anarchic flavour of Russian company Akhe showed me how ambitiously messy, dangerous and alive performance could be!
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I hope that trans audiences feel seen and uplifted by it - it’s dreaming us a history that we deserve. I hope that a cis audiences feel inspired to step up and be vocal in support of trans people. And I hope everyone, across the board, feels they can take away the message of freedom to live a life where you feel confident to reject gendered or societal expectations placed upon us and aspire to live authentically with absolutely no apologies.
I hope that trans audiences feel seen and uplifted by it - it’s dreaming us a history that we deserve. I hope that a cis audiences feel inspired to step up and be vocal in support of trans people. And I hope everyone, across the board, feels they can take away the message of freedom to live a life where you feel confident to reject gendered or societal expectations placed upon us and aspire to live authentically with absolutely no apologies.
Where and when can people see your show?
I’ll be doing the whole run with the show as a sixty minute solo at Summerhall’s Anatomy Lecture Theatre - 31 - 24 August at 20:45 (not the 5, 11, 18). Then we have two special 80 minute performances with a live tribute band I’m bringing up from Brighton, on the 21 and 23rd in the Dissection Room at Summerhall.
I’ll be doing the whole run with the show as a sixty minute solo at Summerhall’s Anatomy Lecture Theatre - 31 - 24 August at 20:45 (not the 5, 11, 18). Then we have two special 80 minute performances with a live tribute band I’m bringing up from Brighton, on the 21 and 23rd in the Dissection Room at Summerhall.
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