A mother dies. A boy eats an ice lolly and freezes internally. A father cries yellow tears into snow. A lover cleans urine from his grandmother’s favourite carpet. Performer and bedroom foley artist Guy Woods tells the story of a cold boy’s adolescence. Puddles & Amazons is a queer coming-of-age story of grief, male tenderness and fluids. Featuring live audio mixing, mild audience interaction, and water.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
It’s a storytelling show about a boy who eats an ice cream when he finds out his mum’s died. He freezes throughout and it’s the story of his cold cold adolescence, turning swimming pools Baltic, hugging radiators and just trying to survive being a teenager.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
My stepdad once told me the one thing he admired about Ronald Reagan was that he wasn’t afraid of being the dumbest person in the room. I try to keep that idea close when working creatively, and my director and producer are both very wise. I, in turn, am a cowboy film star.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
The last time I was there the binmen were on strike. So I’m optimistic it’ll smell less this time.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
There is no other show that is anywhere NEAR being at 4.40 pm in the Summerhall Demonstration Room.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
A couple of laughs, maybe a bleary eye and maybe just maybe an urge to tell everyone about the show via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, tinder, Blackberry Messenger, tin can on a string, etc.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
Andy Murray’s mum is watching. Andy Murray is not.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or wannto recommend?
Probably playing some frisbee with my friend’s son in the meadows. And I will not be going easy on him. Also watching Tim Key and Elf Lyons.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
If it was more affordable to bring a show to the Fringe then we might get a wider diversity of shows rather than a truckload of one-person shows (mine included) because an ensemble cast costs too much. Fair wages for artists, bin men and all those in between!
Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’