A Very British Lesbian comes to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Name of Edinburgh show: A VERY BRITISH LESBIAN
Venue: GILDED BALLOON TEVIOT
Performance time: 1:45 P.M
Show length: 1 hour
Ticket price: £11 (£10)

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
Apart from a brief stint playing Satan in a a performing missionary team in Honduras in my 20s and then doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles for the last seven years, this is my first directed one-person show. Oh and I was in a film in Los Angeles called The Beverly Hills Massacre.

Tell me about your new show, what it is all about?
A Very British Lesbian is an autobiographical solo play – a comedy. I spent three decades lying to myself about the fact that I am gay.Despite religious exorcisms, a lifetime of jungian analysis, dating countless beautiful but unavailable women and one very available but sweaty man, there can be only one conclusion: I am and always will be A Very British Lesbian!

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2019?
About 18 months ago, I started working on this show – Once the title came to me, it’s sort of wrote it self. I was greatly supported by a wonderful director: Wendy Hammers.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
This is my first time at the festival as a performer.… It’s hard to imagine what it will be like to do 26 shows. I bought myself a magic bullet…I’m going to put some spinach on it every morning and drink it… I think making new friends will be helpful, I really look forward to Supporting other performers.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
My most embarrassing moment: my mother not just coming to the show but sitting on the front row. I think I got much of my homophobia from her – she knew and had already expressed her horror at the title of the show. I had told her she didn’t have to come but, poor thing, she was also a very devoted parent. I could see her face contorted and suffering throughout the show, and I could see the faces of friends suffering as they watched her suffering… It was agony for everybody! Thankfully she had a great sense of humour and also couldn’t help finding it funny…

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
Victoria Wood was my big comedy idol and now an American comedian Paula Poundstone, she’s a genius. Also grateful to Hannah Gadsby – courageous and hilarious!

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Before every show whilst doing my makeup I listen to Ave Maria for cello by Giulio Caccini, played by Julian Bream. It is a melancholy and uplifting piece. It connects me to myself and my desire to connect with the audience – to put them first.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
I love Frank Sinatra and I’ve heard great things about Raw And I want to see Hitler’s Tasters – an amazing story about the women who tested the food before Hitler ate it to see if it was poisoned. Ive also heard That Nick Dixon is very funny and thought provoking in his show: Christianity and Me.

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the fringe?
It’s a great adventure, there is pathos, and a lot of laughter…The comment that I get the most is that it inspires others to be braver and more true to who they are – it’s a universal story.

Thanks for having Tea With Wilma

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