What happens when your dream job turns into a dead end - and your escape plan involves a boat?
Meet Blodwen: Welsh, wide-eyed, and wondering what the hell happened. With original songs, sharp comedy and a big heart, Blodwen Rocks the Boat! follows one woman’s hilarious journey from burnout to breakthrough.
Created and performed by Emily Davis - a former Ysgol y Preseli pupil turned cabaret artist who’s taken her signature character, Blodwen, to stages across the UK - the show is a joyful, satirical, and uplifting hour of musical mischief.
Following a hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe (⭐⭐⭐⭐ Three Weeks, Dark Chat), and direction by Paulus the Cabaret Geek, Blodwen Rocks the Boat! is perfect for anyone who’s ever quit a job, questioned their choices — or just needed a good laugh. With music by Andy Campbell Smith, this is a show for the dreamers, the doers, and anyone ready to jump ship.
We sat down with Emiy Davis to learn more.
Emily, can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to create Blodwen?
She was always inside me somewhere! I realised a few years ago that I would have more freedom as a performer if I didn’t stand on the stage as Emily. I’d been performing on the cabaret scene in London and putting on my own shows for a while, and halfway through a work in progress of a show that eventually turned into Blodwen’s in Town, I thought I’d try coming out on stage and saying ‘Hi everyone, I’m Blodwen’. It was transformational – as if a whole load of day to day baggage had just been lifted off my shoulders and it made it so much easier for me to be in the moment. So I’ve kept her ever since!
She was always inside me somewhere! I realised a few years ago that I would have more freedom as a performer if I didn’t stand on the stage as Emily. I’d been performing on the cabaret scene in London and putting on my own shows for a while, and halfway through a work in progress of a show that eventually turned into Blodwen’s in Town, I thought I’d try coming out on stage and saying ‘Hi everyone, I’m Blodwen’. It was transformational – as if a whole load of day to day baggage had just been lifted off my shoulders and it made it so much easier for me to be in the moment. So I’ve kept her ever since!
What can audiences expect from the show?
Big laughs at the absurdities of modern working life, moments of raw honesty, and an unexpected twist that will have you clapping and singing along and wishing you could do what Blodwen does!
Your show combines original songs and sharp comedy. How do you strike that balance?
It’s really about feeling where the story takes me – is this a moment where music will enhance it? If so, it’s song time. Sometimes the songs work as a gear change, or attitude shift, and they themselves can be excellent vehicles for sharp comedy. There’s something about getting a musical hook and a punchline and making them work together that make landing a message much more impactful!
How did the collaboration with Andy Campbell Smith come about?
A friend of mine recommended him when I was looking for an accompanist for my first Edinburgh Fringe show in 2022. We really enjoyed working together, and talked about collaborating on some writing for a couple of years before the stars aligned in terms of timing and we actually managed to get a couple of songs down. We’ve been working on this show together ever since, and he even plays one of the characters in it now! I love working with him, he’s up for anything and really supportive so we have a great time when we’re on stage together.
You had a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe! What were some standout moments for you during that experience?
It’s the audiences that stick in my mind – the lady from Leicester who couldn’t stop laughing and asked me afterwards if we could come and perform for the WI; the man who looked as if he was sleeping through the whole show then put £20 in the bucket and said it’s the best thing he’d ever seen; the woman who told me that I had just told the story of her life. I’ll also never forget the first time I sold out - I just stood at the door while people packed themselves in until there was no more room, and I couldn’t believe they were all there to see me. By the time you get to the end of the Edinburgh Fringe it feels like you got there yesterday but also that you’ve never existed anywhere else, so the days sort of meld into one. It’s the people that stick with me because they’re the differentiating factor every day.
It’s the audiences that stick in my mind – the lady from Leicester who couldn’t stop laughing and asked me afterwards if we could come and perform for the WI; the man who looked as if he was sleeping through the whole show then put £20 in the bucket and said it’s the best thing he’d ever seen; the woman who told me that I had just told the story of her life. I’ll also never forget the first time I sold out - I just stood at the door while people packed themselves in until there was no more room, and I couldn’t believe they were all there to see me. By the time you get to the end of the Edinburgh Fringe it feels like you got there yesterday but also that you’ve never existed anywhere else, so the days sort of meld into one. It’s the people that stick with me because they’re the differentiating factor every day.
How do runs like at the Fringe help you grow as a performer?
Actually performing every day is so constructive because you get to exercise all the muscles – if something doesn’t land you can try it a different way, or write it a different way even. You don’t have time to wallow after a bad show, and you don’t have time to gloat after a good show, and I think that’s enormously helpful in keeping you grounded and remembering that ultimately - this is a job. There will be good days and bad days. Every audience is different – in size, in noise, in attitude – so you learn never to take anything for granted and appreciate every single person who makes the effort to come along to your show. The Edinburgh Fringe has made me more resilient, confident and disciplined and it’s massively broadened my creative horizons, made me braver and more imaginative.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
I like to swim on show days because I find it has a very calming and grounding impact on me. I do all the usual things, stretch, vocal warm ups, drink lots of water, eat sensibly – anything to counteract any potential dysregulation in my body that’s going to come from the inevitable nerves. I also like to make friends with the space I’m in – especially if I’ve never been there before – so I can feel like this is my kingdom and I’m welcoming people into it. I think of performing as inviting people to a party – it’s lovely when they accept and do turn up so I want them to have a good time.
I like to swim on show days because I find it has a very calming and grounding impact on me. I do all the usual things, stretch, vocal warm ups, drink lots of water, eat sensibly – anything to counteract any potential dysregulation in my body that’s going to come from the inevitable nerves. I also like to make friends with the space I’m in – especially if I’ve never been there before – so I can feel like this is my kingdom and I’m welcoming people into it. I think of performing as inviting people to a party – it’s lovely when they accept and do turn up so I want them to have a good time.
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
I remember going to see The Wind in the Willows when I was about 6 or 7 and just desperately wanting to be on the stage. I don’t think I wanted to be in that show particularly, just something about the curtain that called to me. The first musical I ever watched was Guys and Dolls with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. My nan recorded it for me and every time I used to go and stay with my grandparents I would watch it 3 or 4 times in one weekend. I fell utterly and completely in love with all the characters and would act out the film from start to finish. I can still recite that film word for word now!
I remember going to see The Wind in the Willows when I was about 6 or 7 and just desperately wanting to be on the stage. I don’t think I wanted to be in that show particularly, just something about the curtain that called to me. The first musical I ever watched was Guys and Dolls with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. My nan recorded it for me and every time I used to go and stay with my grandparents I would watch it 3 or 4 times in one weekend. I fell utterly and completely in love with all the characters and would act out the film from start to finish. I can still recite that film word for word now!
With your show appealing to dreamers and doers alike, what do you hope your audience takes away from Blodwen's journey?
I think the world would be a happier place if we didn’t feel the need to pigeonhole ourselves and each other, and we were able to run towards what makes us feel fulfilled as opposed to what’s going to fill our bank accounts. We have such a narrow idea of what it means to be successful, and I think that’s really sad. Why do we all have to chase the same stuff? I would like audiences to feel encouraged to scratch their itches, throw caution to the wind and believe wholeheartedly that it’s possible to be as content as Blodwen is by the end of the show.
I think the world would be a happier place if we didn’t feel the need to pigeonhole ourselves and each other, and we were able to run towards what makes us feel fulfilled as opposed to what’s going to fill our bank accounts. We have such a narrow idea of what it means to be successful, and I think that’s really sad. Why do we all have to chase the same stuff? I would like audiences to feel encouraged to scratch their itches, throw caution to the wind and believe wholeheartedly that it’s possible to be as content as Blodwen is by the end of the show.
Blodwen Rocks The Boat plays at Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on 17th March, Quay Theatre in Sudbury on 27th March, Blackwood Miner's Institute in Caerphilly on 9th April, Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan on 22nd April, The Blue Room in Lincoln on 1st May, Blakehay Theatre in Weston-Super-Mare on 6th May, The Woodville in Gravesend on 13th May, Swindon Arts Centre on 20th May, Y Glowyr in Ammanford on 22nd May.
For full tour dates and venues, visit https://www.welshgirlsings.com/
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