Do you believe in true love? Meet Odette, a chain-smoking half-swan, half-ballerina stuck in limbo, looking for someone to give her an undying vow of love to free her. Come to a love story you will not forget, filled with pointe, comedy and heroes, where anyone can break her curse, maybe even you. Special thanks to the creative team of Mump and Smoot and Meegan Sweet.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
OWEaDEBT is a parody of the classical ballet Swan Lake, where you get to hang out with the leading Swan, Odette. She gives you a tour of the lake and introduces you to all of her favorite buds. It is an immersive experience and she loves making new friends at each show, which makes every performance unique and special!
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
OWEaDEBT has been a year in the making. I grew up as a ballerina and I wanted to make a show where I could express my passion for pointe and clown. After the first draft was written I worked with mentors (Micheal Kennard & Karen Hines, the creative team of the Canadian clown duo Mump and Smoot) as well as various outside eyes. I am incredibly lucky to have found Nicole Maloney as a directing consult because we share experience in clown, ballet and physical theatre and her input on the text has made my performance grow immensely.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
I am incredibly excited to be going to the festival this year. I have previously toured Canada and Australia (Adelaide Fringe) but this will be my first time performing in Edinburgh.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
Everyone who has seen OWEaDEBT has left in a state of awe and disbelief at what they just saw because it’s a hybrid of so many things I love. There is clown, chain-smoking, bouffon, song, dance and pointe. It is truly a unique performance to watch (and maybe participate in). If you love dark comedy, and appreciate ballet and immersive theatre then you can’t really miss this show.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
Hopefully a little bit of pain from laughing and general wonder. But also, social issues deeply inspire me. I believe comedy has the power to let audiences digest upsetting content. So, I make dark comedies that disguise upsetting topics like self-worth and patriarchy and root them in comedy, hoping that you will laugh and walk away lighter with something to talk about.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
A whole bunch of people, or fellow swans, frogs and owls who aren’t afraid to make some noise and befriend a half-swan, half-chain smoking ballerina. Also no children – this show is a true dark comedy and would be a rude awakening for anyone under 16.
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 want to recommend?
I am fortunate to have some friends doing shows in Edinburgh and I am so excited to see and support them:
Pineapple Princess – One woman. One pineapple. A comedy show about falling in love.
BANGTAIL – an epic tale of a man in search of his manhood.
Singh’ing in the Rain – characters and songs you will gladly sing along
In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
As it’s my first time at Edinburgh Fringe, I’m not sure just yet – I’m just excited to be here and immerse myself in the festival!
OWEaDEABT runs at Venue 26: Summerhall: Red Lecture Theatre (1 Summerhall, EH9 1PL)
Photo credit – Joel Sims
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’