Anna Krauze of Passing Stranger Theatre Company brings a new show, We Can Be Heroes, to Camden Fringe next month.
It is “a newly written play about what it means to be a superhero in the modern world.”
Anna tells us more about the show.
Where: Lion & Unicorn Theatre
When: 12-14 Aug
Ticket link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/we-can-be-heroes/
What are you looking forward to the most at Camden Fringe?
Quite a few things! Firstly, performing our new show and from a writer’s perspective, getting the first response about it from the audience!
Also, Camden Fringe is such a buzzing festival and a very exciting opportunity to meet other creatives, actors, writers, producers, comedians.
I have met many people that I collaborated with in the past during fringe festivals.
And last but not least, seeing lots of brilliant shows!
Tell me about We Can Be Heroes. What does a superhero mean to you, and where did the lead character, Peanut, come from?
To me, superhero is someone who is kind. It may sound weird, but in the world that often lacks that quality, it is a real superpower.
Kindness is often taken for granted, but also those who offer it are often used and their good nature manipulated. That’s what I wanted to highlight in the show.
The positions we are put in life where we are expected to be the rescuer. Is it our job? Is it our choice?
Where do we draw the line and say, “I can support you, but I am not here to rescue you?” And whether we can even save those who don’t want to be saved.
Peanut is a combination of a few people and stories. I hardly ever base characters on just one person. I think that makes characters more fleshed out.
We are all a combination of many stories, after all. The happy and the sad ones. That’s what makes us human.
This is your third show as the Passing Stranger Theatre Company. What’s been the highlight of working together as creatives?
I think the joy of running a theatre company and doing many shows is that you create a real support network of creatives you can truly rely on.
I like to say that I “recycle” people, but in a good way! Usually, when working on a new show, I already know who I may want to work with. I often base characters around actors, too.
I have worked with Coral Tarran, who is the director of We Can Be Heroes, on my previous show, Daddy Issues.
She is an incredibly talented individual, and I completely trust her as a creative and as a friend. I am sure we will work together many times in the future.
However, I am always happy to work with new people too. In this production I am joined by another actor, Jack Hesketh, who I have never worked with before – but Coral has!
So it will be an exciting journey. I wouldn’t be surprised if I “recycled” Jack in future projects!
You are playing your show at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Has these been an inspiring place to develop the production?
Absolutely! The whole team is wonderfully supportive on so many levels, marketing, production, networking. It’s a great venue as well.
I would happily recommend it to anyone thinking of bringing a show to Camden Fringe.
What’s next after Camden?
Hopefully a tour or a transfer. And potentially other fringe festivals, such as Edinburgh.
I love testing new material and meeting new audiences, so I am very much looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of We Can Be Heroes!
So come join us, watch the show, and get to meet us after to have a chat, I am always open to that!