Writer/performer/producer Feride Morçay has her new show, Chickadee, making its bow at Edinburgh Fringe this summer.
“A female street clown accidentally becomes famous overnight as Chickadee the Sexy Clown. Her childlike mission to bring joy to a chaotic world is misunderstood, leaving her questioning her worth.
A surreal, soul-searching solo show about pop culture, performance, and the price of being seen. Where does the need to bring joy come from?
Why be a clown when you could have a serious job? What makes your heart ache? Dare to be a fool with Chickadee?”
Where: Studio at ZOO Southside
When: 1-24 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/chickadee
Who is Chickadee, and what was the process of developing the show?
Chickadee is the name given to the street clown Dahlia after she accidentally becomes famous overnight on Chickadee Night Live.
The name ‘Chickadee’ appeared to me out of the blue when I was meditating in the winter.
The name comes from the distinctive sound of a type of bird—‘Chick-a-dee’—and in slang, carries the meaning of calling for affection, particularly to a woman.
In the meantime, I was going through an inspiration phase for clowns. I was introduced to clowning at drama school and, since then, I was mainly acting in drama.
I went to see the Slava Clown Show in London, watched a little documentary about Slava Polunin, and signed up for Micaela Miranda’s Clown Workshop.
The philosophy behind clowning—the idea to transform pain and any heavy emotions into something so innocently vibrating, to give joy to people in real time—felt so fascinating.
It wasn’t only about theatre; it was a life philosophy to be able to create joy in the unavoidable chaos we live in.
I felt a new character emerging in me, so close to me that I found myself writing scenes for Dahlia and her childhood. Because the clown is like a wise child, her child started talking naturally to awaken her to her true self—her clown.
I contacted my friend and colleague Aishwarya Gaikwad, with whom I studied MA Classical Acting at LAMDA, who is also in the world of clowns. After reading some scenes together, we decided to collaborate, and she joined as the Director and also became the Dramaturg.
I wrote the first draft and also reached out to my colleague Roxane Cabassut, founder of Emerge Production House, who read the script and, from being an advisor, came on board as the Co-Producer.
We did a rehearsed reading at the Bush Theatre in April, received real audience feedback, developed the script further, started fundraising, and began building the team.
And here we are—having wrapped our London previews at Riverside Studios as part of the Bite Size Festival with a great team of international women: Tanya Zhuk as the Clown Coach, Zidi Wu as Set & Light Designer, Vanessa Garber as Composer & Sound Designer, and Weile Zou as the Stage Manager.
And now, we’re getting ready for Edinburgh Fringe.
Why should audiences come along and see your show?
Chickadee offers a joyful, soulful, surreal, and vulnerable ride—to dare to have full autonomy over who you truly are, to be a fool, and to open your heart.
It is written from the point of view of a young woman who is a street clown, who gets thrown into the entertainment industry where she is valued through her sexual appeal rather than her art.
The way she sees the world, and how she communicates with the world around her, is unique. What the show mainly offers is this unique perspective on life—hers.
The show would deeply resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to balance artistic integrity with external pressure.
I think that it could, in fact, resonate with anyone regardless of age or gender, because once we were all children and we all grow, we are all unique, we are all on the same ship.
And we all go through different struggles at different levels and points in our lives that may make it challenging to be the most authentic version of ourselves.
Because we are born into a world where the system, roads, commercials, and cultures are already built—where we subconsciously or consciously consume others’ inventions—how can we invent our own point of view?
How did you make a start in theatre? Do Fringe festivals inspire you?
I was in dance performances in high school and theatre plays during my exchange AFS year in a US high school.
I have been carrying a lifestyle with somatic practices of dance and yoga, which helped me stay connected to my body and voice.
But at first, I was on the path to be a film director! After having some experience in assisting, directing, and producing, I found myself on stage one day, where I felt like home—and since then, I have only been acting.
I attended multiple acting workshops and schools, including Studio Actors and Identity School of Acting, until I decided to develop my craft further.
I studied MA Collaborative Theatre Making at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance Arts and MA Classical Acting at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).
I also love cinema, and I have been acting in independent films and theatre since I graduated in 2022.
I attended the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time in 2023, playing the role of Moyna in Hayfever (Arcola Theatre, TheSpaceUK), which was directed and produced by the co-producer of Chickadee, Roxane Cabassut.
Whilst performing, I tried to catch two shows a day and watched so many performers.
I have been so inspired by the bravery and creativity of Fringe performers. It takes so much courage and a full open heart to be so vulnerable and dare tomake a fool out of yourself.
To be honest, this show only exists because of the Fringe community and spirit—it fuelled me to write and perform a solo show.
I find it so mesmerising how people can be so vulnerably expressive and fearless, and create something with their own voice.
One day, I asked myself: so, you are alive right now—if not now, when?
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
This will be the first time I am doing a full-month run with a solo show, with a wonderful team.
We are looking forward to sharing Chickadee with wider audiences, performers, industry members, and visitors.
I think Fringe is the place to push creativity and be fully open and vulnerable—express freely!
Performing Chickadee will be a ride full of joy, truth, and connection.
Our team is made up of talented emerging artists, and I am also so excited for everyone to represent their work at the Fringe!
We are looking forward to supporting other artists, getting inspired, watching shows, and meeting fellow creators, industry members, and visitors.
Most importantly, we are looking forward to opening up a genuine conversation through CHICKADEE regarding mental health, innocence, art, ego and soul, self-worth, the symbolism of clowning, being a woman/man/trans, and life.
Part of our ticket sales will also go to the charity Comic Relief to ignite and raise awareness around mental health.
All these topics may be serious and philosophical, yet full of humour and joy!
Where can we see your show after Fringe?
We are currently in discussions to do a full run in London after the Fringe, and we are open to taking Chickadee on a UK and international tour.
We will be building connections with programmers and venues during the Fringe, and we are open to offers and surprises.
We cannot wait to take this inspirational journey to wider audiences!