In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with Kara Lane, who plays Princess Taffeta in new musical Bliss.
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What can you tell me about Bliss and your role of Taffeta?
Bliss is a brand-new pop-rock musical with an original plot that takes the classic fairy tale we all think we know and gives it a completely fresh twist.
Bliss is a brand-new pop-rock musical with an original plot that takes the classic fairy tale we all think we know and gives it a completely fresh twist.
It follows four princess sisters who finally escape the tower they've spent their lives in, only to discover that the real world isn't quite the happily ever after they've always been promised. It's funny, witty and surprisingly thought-provoking, exploring identity, the pressure to be "perfect", and what it really means to choose your own path instead of following the one that's been mapped out for you.
I play Princess Taffeta, who is the senior “Perfect Princess”.
What drew you to this role?
I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that I’ve never had the opportunity to play a princess, and at the age of 45, this may be my last chance to do so! Also, I’ve always been drawn to characters who go on a journey, finding a more authentic version of themselves along the way.
Taffeta represents a dynamic figure in a world where perfection and traditional fairy-tale tropes rule. How would you describe Taffeta’s personality and her place in the world of Bliss?
Taffeta and her fellow Perfect Princesses are the stereotypical fairy tale princesses we all grew up with. They represent the ideal that the character of Glimmermore - the fairy godfather - dangles in front of the four sisters, tempting them to become something they're not, purely to serve his own agenda.
I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that I’ve never had the opportunity to play a princess, and at the age of 45, this may be my last chance to do so! Also, I’ve always been drawn to characters who go on a journey, finding a more authentic version of themselves along the way.
Taffeta represents a dynamic figure in a world where perfection and traditional fairy-tale tropes rule. How would you describe Taffeta’s personality and her place in the world of Bliss?
Taffeta and her fellow Perfect Princesses are the stereotypical fairy tale princesses we all grew up with. They represent the ideal that the character of Glimmermore - the fairy godfather - dangles in front of the four sisters, tempting them to become something they're not, purely to serve his own agenda.
For me, Taffeta is a metaphor for the impossible standards we're constantly bombarded with through social media, filters and AI-generated images. Every night, the Perfect Princesses have to "Dip" in the Pink Lagoon to maintain their flawless appearance. It represents Botox, lip fillers, cosmetic procedures and our obsession with changing ourselves to fit society's idea of perfection.
By dipping they also lose their individuality, and that's actually the biggest challenge for me as an actor. My instinct is always to react naturally to everything happening around me on stage, but Taffeta doesn't really have that freedom. She's almost vacant because she's sacrificed so much of who she is in the pursuit of perfection. It's quite difficult to play because, in a way... she doesn't really have a personality at all! Haha! I’m kidding of course, but she’s so stripped of any free-thought that she only cares about what the outside world thinks of her, therefore, she just smiles all the time.
In standard fairy tales, characters often fit strict archetypes. How does Taffeta subvert or play with those expectations?
I think every character in this show plays with those expectations, not just Taffeta, and not just the female-identifying roles either. You’ll have to come watch the show to see how…!
I think every character in this show plays with those expectations, not just Taffeta, and not just the female-identifying roles either. You’ll have to come watch the show to see how…!
The musical turns classic fairy tale tropes inside out. Why do you think this message is particularly relevant for audiences today?
I think Bliss feels particularly timely because we're living in a world where there are louder and louder voices telling people—especially women—how they should look, behave and define their worth. Our wonderful director, Sheryl Keller, stressed to us in rehearsals that this show is not intended to “man-shame”, but instead it celebrates individuality over perfection and asks what happens when women stop trying to be who they're expected to be and instead decide who they want to become. I think that's an incredibly positive message, and one that's very relevant right now.
Bliss boasts a massive 17-performer cast. What has the energy in the rehearsal room been like collaborating with such a large ensemble?
Oh my goodness, I don’t even know where to start! The moment I walked into the rehearsal room on the first day, the writers, Emma and Tyler greeted me like we were old friends. Every single person on the creative and production teams made me feel so welcome. The enthusiasm and excitement from everyone was palpable, and that has resonated throughout the company. The talent of the cast blows me away every day. They’re a hard working, professional, kind, and talented bunch to say the least.
Oh my goodness, I don’t even know where to start! The moment I walked into the rehearsal room on the first day, the writers, Emma and Tyler greeted me like we were old friends. Every single person on the creative and production teams made me feel so welcome. The enthusiasm and excitement from everyone was palpable, and that has resonated throughout the company. The talent of the cast blows me away every day. They’re a hard working, professional, kind, and talented bunch to say the least.
If you could ask Taffeta a question, what would you choose to ask her?
I can’t think! Usually, if I don’t know the answer to a question about a character I play, I make it up myself - I give her a back story - and that makes it fact in my head, so I can’t really think of any questions that I don’t already know the answer to! But I guess, if Taffeta was a real person, I’d ask her things like “at what age did you first dip” and “what did you dream of being before you dipped for the first time”? Then we’d compare notes.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’ve never performed at the Fringe for the full season before, only for short runs - a few days at most. It’s a lot! The crowds, the flyering and performances, plus trying to see as many other shows as humanly possible, can make your time here exhausting. So I think I need to treat it like I would if I were in any other show, even though it’s a short show (80 mins I think). I’ll be doing yoga every morning, eating healthily, keeping hydrated, getting a full 8 hours sleep.. All the usual stuff.
I can’t think! Usually, if I don’t know the answer to a question about a character I play, I make it up myself - I give her a back story - and that makes it fact in my head, so I can’t really think of any questions that I don’t already know the answer to! But I guess, if Taffeta was a real person, I’d ask her things like “at what age did you first dip” and “what did you dream of being before you dipped for the first time”? Then we’d compare notes.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’ve never performed at the Fringe for the full season before, only for short runs - a few days at most. It’s a lot! The crowds, the flyering and performances, plus trying to see as many other shows as humanly possible, can make your time here exhausting. So I think I need to treat it like I would if I were in any other show, even though it’s a short show (80 mins I think). I’ll be doing yoga every morning, eating healthily, keeping hydrated, getting a full 8 hours sleep.. All the usual stuff.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
I’d be spraying everyone with “Perfection” by Glimmermore.
I’d be spraying everyone with “Perfection” by Glimmermore.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
Comfy shoes! There’s a lot of walking and a lot of hills.
Comfy shoes! There’s a lot of walking and a lot of hills.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
A West End transfer. Anyone?!
A West End transfer. Anyone?!
How do you reflect on your own career to date?
I feel pretty content with what I've achieved. Of course, there are moments when I wish I was a little more well-known, simply because it might mean I'd be considered for more roles. But at the same time, I also feel incredibly lucky to have played some truly wonderful roles throughout my career.
I feel pretty content with what I've achieved. Of course, there are moments when I wish I was a little more well-known, simply because it might mean I'd be considered for more roles. But at the same time, I also feel incredibly lucky to have played some truly wonderful roles throughout my career.
Like most actors, I have to consciously stop myself from comparing my journey to everyone else's. It's not always easy, especially in an industry where everyone else's successes are so visible. But I've realised that it's possible to be genuinely thrilled for other people—especially friends— while also quietly wishing you were in their shoes. Those two emotions can exist at the same time, and I don't think that makes you ungrateful—it just makes you human. I think I’ve also become very good at accepting rejection and moving onto the next project.
What keeps you inspired?
I often ask myself that question. If I'm honest, there are times when I don't feel inspired at all… and then there are moments when I couldn't possibly explain why I do feel so inspired.
I often ask myself that question. If I'm honest, there are times when I don't feel inspired at all… and then there are moments when I couldn't possibly explain why I do feel so inspired.
Sometimes it's as simple as hearing a song that really speaks to me. I immediately want to learn it, make it my own, and hopefully share it in a way that reaches someone else. If a story or a song can make someone feel seen, teach them something, or even help them heal in some small way, then that's incredibly special.
And then there are curtain calls. For some reason, watching or being part of a company bowing at the end of a show can completely overwhelm me. I often burst into tears, and I honestly couldn't tell you why. I think it's the magic of live theatre. Hundreds of strangers have just shared the same story, laughed at the same moments, cried at the same moments, and experienced something that can never be recreated in exactly the same way ever again. There's something incredibly powerful about that, and it touches something deep in my heart every single time.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing Bliss?
I hope the theatre kids will geek out about it, the adults find it funny and poignant, younger children will be inspired by the four sisters, and everyone will go away humming these epic tunes!
Bliss runs at the Pleasance Grand Courtyard at the Edinburgh Fringe from 6th to 31st August at 1pm. Tickets are available from https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/bliss
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| Kara Lane. |
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