VULVARINE: Saviour of Womankind comes to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Show name: Vulvarine
Venue: Assembly George Square Studio, Two, EH8 9JZ
Time: 19:00 Running Time: 60mins
Dates: 01 – 26 August. No show Weds 15 August.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your performing background?
Hiya! I’m Allie and I’m an actor/theatre-maker from London. I play Bryony Buckle AKA Vulvarine in Fat Rascal Theatre’s Vulvarine: A New Musical. I started dancing when I was 16 with Pineapple Performing Arts School and that’s where I realised that I could really pursue my dramatic tendencies, and I luckily got a place on the Acting and Contemporary Theatre Course at East 15 Acting School which is where I discovered my love of devising, directing, clowning and met the lovely people I get to work with now.

Tell me about your show, what it is all about?
Vulvarine is the story of bored Bryony Buckle who works in a tax office in High Wycombe. After a visit to the Doctor and well-timed bolt of lightning she turns into Vulvarine: Saviour of Womankind! We tell the story of this rising hero as she must defeat the evil marine biologist, Keith Herlit (AKA The Mansplainer) before it’s too late. I am such a superhero nerd so this show is my dream! It’s a fast paced, frenzy of fun. A typical Fat Rascal riot with crazy quick costume changes and songs you’ll be humming all day.

How long have you been working on this show and what is it that makes it relevant to audiences in 2018?
Vulvarine has been in development for about 6 months. During that time, we’ve had read throughs and sing throughs and a bit of play time, then our real process began at the start of July. As a Marvel fan girl, it’s so nice to be making a show with a strong, feisty female as the superhero and not the damsel in distress. This show is a great parody of the superhero genre and highlights the sexism within it. The industry is changing and more women are getting noticed and getting the positions they deserve but we still have a way to go. We still see stereotypical choices in film and theatre but this show defies them all.

Do you have any top tips for surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – both for performers and visitors to the event?
Performers! Keep your friends close but don’t be afraid to take time to be by yourself as well. The fringe is such a hectic environment that sometimes you need a breather to just sit quietly with a cuppa. Also, eat your greens! I think last year I lived off burritos and pad Thai which was delicious, but you need to keep your energy up and immune system strong so work in a carrot here and there!

Visitors! See a range of random things! A couple of recommendations, a couple of risks, a couple that you just liked the poster of. I don’t think you can get the real Ed Fringe experience if you’re not running across those cobbled streets to your next show. Also, be sure to tweet or tell people what you thought of the show, it warms our little performer hearts and it really is how the fringe survives!

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I have done some amazing shows that have each come with their own memorable moments. We did Buzz: A New Musical last year at the Brighton Fringe. It’s about the history of the vibrator so comes with a few fairly raunchy scenes. There was one performance where just as we got to the scene where myself and my fellow actor have a one night stand I noticed a very young audience member. There was a newborn baby watching me sweatily roll around on the sofa. Not only that he was gurgling and laughing along making a wonderful commentary. I found myself giggling and asking him for his opinion in other scenes too.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry and why?
I’m really inspired by women making their own work and just generally taking the industry by storm: Charlotte Josephine, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kat Armitage, Rachel Bloom and Louisa Omielan just to name a few. Whenever I watch or hear these creative women they inspire me to push myself and keep going.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?
We do have a cheeky x-rated tongue twister we do as a cast before every show which I shall not repeat here but it does help to get the mouth moving. I usually pop a lozenge or a vocal zone and then a quick spray of Rescue Remedy to calm myself. Then a group cuddle never does any harm too!

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Edinburgh Fringe?
Gosh! There is so much great stuff going up this year I don’t know how to fit it all in. New writing is always fantastic at the fringe so I’m really excited for Pickle Jar by Maddie Rice and A Clown Show About Rain by Follow Suit! Then there’s obviously the big dogs like Adam Riches, Mr Swallow, Rachel Parris and Kill the Beast!

Why do you think people should come and see your show over the thousands of others on at the Fringe?
Because it’s hilarious! Original soundtrack that you’ll be singing all day, crazy characters you will fall in love with and sweaty actors that will be running riot on stage!

_____________________________________________________________