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, Brooklyn Boukather discusses their show Strangewife.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
Strangewife is a dark, off-kilter two-hander exploring grief, power, and desire through an increasingly strange arrangement between a grieving widow and her new companion. It’s a blend of drama and bleak comedy drawing on the style of Yorgos Lanthimos that will make you question your relationship dynamics in an increasingly commodified world.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
The piece came from our writer/director, Frazier Bailey, and our company’s shared fascination with the doppelgangers and impostors. We wanted to play with performativity, power dynamics, and the slippery nature of love and relationships.
The piece came from our writer/director, Frazier Bailey, and our company’s shared fascination with the doppelgangers and impostors. We wanted to play with performativity, power dynamics, and the slippery nature of love and relationships.
How have you approached developing the show?
It is written by Frazier Bailey, but he’s incredibly curious and collaborative, so each draft has absorbed a lot of feedback from the actors(Brooklyn Boukatherand Daniel Barney Newton). The show was written with Brooklyn and Daniel in mind, so a huge part of both of us was already existing in the piece, but Frazier was also very interested in our perspectives as actors and writers. Before going into an intense month of rehearsals, we started with a period of research and development to finalise the script. We’ve entered rehearsals with a really tight rehearsal draft and are allowing the piece to show us what it needs to be.
It is written by Frazier Bailey, but he’s incredibly curious and collaborative, so each draft has absorbed a lot of feedback from the actors(Brooklyn Boukatherand Daniel Barney Newton). The show was written with Brooklyn and Daniel in mind, so a huge part of both of us was already existing in the piece, but Frazier was also very interested in our perspectives as actors and writers. Before going into an intense month of rehearsals, we started with a period of research and development to finalise the script. We’ve entered rehearsals with a really tight rehearsal draft and are allowing the piece to show us what it needs to be.
How would you describe the style of the show?
It’s a heightened, stylistic, and semi-absurd reality that utilises defamiliarization to help us assess power, desire, and relationships from a different perspective. It’s quick, off-kilter deadpan comedy mixed in with moments of genuine tenderness, reminiscent of our key inspirations: Yorgos Lanthimos and Harold Pinter. Both in the visual elements and the play’s content, it’s odd, deadpan, and unnerving.
It’s a heightened, stylistic, and semi-absurd reality that utilises defamiliarization to help us assess power, desire, and relationships from a different perspective. It’s quick, off-kilter deadpan comedy mixed in with moments of genuine tenderness, reminiscent of our key inspirations: Yorgos Lanthimos and Harold Pinter. Both in the visual elements and the play’s content, it’s odd, deadpan, and unnerving.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Unsettling, precarious, and strange…
Unsettling, precarious, and strange…
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
We’re using our time now to do the creative heavy lifting, so as we approach our London previews and the bigger run, we feel confident that the work is where it needs to be. Our team collectively agreed we would need rest days, so we’ve scheduled Wednesdays off – which may be our saving grace. Also, Brooklyn’s dog will be in Edinburgh with us so we’re anticipating she’ll play a huge part in keeping me sane.
We’re using our time now to do the creative heavy lifting, so as we approach our London previews and the bigger run, we feel confident that the work is where it needs to be. Our team collectively agreed we would need rest days, so we’ve scheduled Wednesdays off – which may be our saving grace. Also, Brooklyn’s dog will be in Edinburgh with us so we’re anticipating she’ll play a huge part in keeping me sane.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Being surrounded by new theatre makers! Already in our process, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with new collaborators that have made Strangewife infinitely better, so we’re excited by the prospect of expanding our company’s network even further for future projects.
Being surrounded by new theatre makers! Already in our process, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with new collaborators that have made Strangewife infinitely better, so we’re excited by the prospect of expanding our company’s network even further for future projects.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
I’d highly recommend Hey Palu! It may not be hidden to avid cocktail fans or locals (it’s No.5 on the 50 Best Bars list), but if you’re a newcomer to the city, we’d insist you go there for your first cocktail.
I’d highly recommend Hey Palu! It may not be hidden to avid cocktail fans or locals (it’s No.5 on the 50 Best Bars list), but if you’re a newcomer to the city, we’d insist you go there for your first cocktail.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Yes! Luckily, as part of our collaboration with Soho Theatre Labs, we’ve been surrounded by a huge assortment of shows that are well-crafted, vulnerable, and dynamic. Here is our very long list: House Party, BAIRNS, Degenerate, Holly Gifford: Big Little Sister, Jessie Nixon: Don’t Make Me Regret This, Jessica Durand: Over the Top, Facility 111: A Government Experiment, Anais Gralpois: American Fetish, Bennet Kavanagh: Crank up the Volume!! (to a reasonable volume), Caroline Madds: Buzzin’, PLANETS!!!, Alice Frick: Live Like a Criminal, Sheepish, Funny Though, STARDUST Starring Star Dust (In Person), Wummy, This Is Not About Me, and Bonkers.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
Brooklyn: People, Places, and Things at St. Anne’s Warehouse in New York
Frazier: The Other Place at the National Theatre
Daniel: Sizwe Banzi Is Dead at the Baxter Theatre
Brooklyn: People, Places, and Things at St. Anne’s Warehouse in New York
Frazier: The Other Place at the National Theatre
Daniel: Sizwe Banzi Is Dead at the Baxter Theatre
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
How strange love can be.
Where and when can people see your show?
From July 31st to August 24th (except Wednesdays) in Assembly Front Rooms (54 George Street) at 7:45!
But if you can’t make it to Edinburgh, don’t worry! We’re performing three previews July 21-23 (7:30pm) at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in London.
But if you can’t make it to Edinburgh, don’t worry! We’re performing three previews July 21-23 (7:30pm) at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in London.
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