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, Cerys Bradley discusses their show Queer Tales For Autistic Folk.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
The show is a semi-improvised choose your own story telling show. In each performance, we selected someone from the audience to come up on stage and play through a choose your own story which makes the show different every single time it is performed. The story eventually opens out into a more improvised story told by everyone in the audience and then it ends and we all return to the real world and our lives.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?The initial concept for the show was inspired by In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, there’s this incredible bit in the book where you try to play through her experience of being in an abusive relationship in this impossible to win choose your own story format. I know that doesn’t sound like fertile ground for a comedy show but often, being autistic feels like you are kind of trapped in a series of choices where all of your options will lead to failure and so the beginning of the show is a, sort of, heightened, ridiculous version of that.
How have you approached developing the show?
The show has been developed very collaboratively – both with audiences (the show is different every time but the audience suggestions and responses feed into future shows) and with a team of wonderful creative friends (Adam Larter, Amy Greaves, Beth Watson, Edy Hurst, Mikey Bligh Smith, Steffan Alun…). We were supported by Arts Council England for the development of the show and so I got to go to Leicester for a week where the Attenborough Arts Centre very kindly provided us with a rehearsal space and I got to work with lots of different people messing around with the show.
How would you describe the style of the show?
The show follows a pretty classic choose your own story format which then opens out to become more improvised and more like a tabletop role playing game. It leans into a lot of fantasy type stories but every single show is unique and the plot lines have been very bizarre and like nothing you have ever seen before.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
No I can’t. (Only joking… probably… interactive, silly, collaborative.)
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
I’m going on holiday! Holidays are amazing, I don’t know if you know this? I’ve only recently started doing them (properly, I mean – before last year all of my holidays were long weekends tacked onto the end of having a gig somewhere slightly interesting). I’m in Wales this weekend for a gig so my wife and I are going to spend a week in Bangor afterwards and avoid the heatwave in London and go cycling and swimming and I can’t wait.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Seeing everybody else’s shows. I’m aiming to see 50 this year. We’ll see how I get on.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
Everyone always wants hidden gems! Or unusual tips or whatever. I’m sorry. I’m a basic bitch. I like to go to the top of Arthur’s Seat and I like Lighthouse Books but I wouldn’t consider either of them hidden gems.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Yes. How long have you got?
I, personally, am looking forward to seeing Su Mi, Alice India, Priya Hall, Mr Handsome, Leila Navabi, Edy Hurst, Christian Brighty, Sam Nicoresti, Lorna Rose Treen, Rosa Garland… There’s 10. 10 is enough right?
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
That’s a good question. I actually don’t know. I do remember reading Macbeth at a very formative age and I have been terrified of self-fulfilling prophecies ever since.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
A small piece of a prop that they have sneakily bitten and then smuggled out in their mouth (please don’t do this the paint is not good for you).
Where and when can people see your show?
2:45pm EVERY DAY (except the 14th) in the Daisy Room of Underbelly in Bristo Square.
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