“Never underestimate the power of a lesbian in love. Edie is based on the fabulous life of Edith Windsor and her sexy and tumultuous relationship with Thea Spyer.
Edie sues the United States of America and convinces the Supreme Court to recognise the love that she and Thea share, changing the very definition of marriage.
In her ground-breaking, decades-long journey, Edie struggles with the pain and joy of being herself while proving, once and for all, that love is love.
This remarkable one-woman show stars award-winning actor, Jessica Toltzis.
Where: The Annexe at Paradise in The Vault
When: 1-16 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/edie
Jessica lets us into Edie’s world.
Who is Edith Windsor? Why should we know about her and what drew you to her?
Edith Windsor is an unlikely hero. While most people at 82 years of age are quietly disengaging from society and leading private lives, Edie stepped up and sued the United States Government.
Her victory in that momentous Supreme Court case redefined the legal definition of marriage in the U.S. and led the way to legalizing gay marriage. I was first introduced to Edie through a photo and immediately felt a kinship with her.
There she was, in front of the New York City Pride Parade wearing a shirt that read “Nobody Knows I’m a Lesbian”. From that moment, I knew I had to learn more about her. Edie was brave, tenacious, and committed to love.
I started learning everything I could about her and decided to celebrate her life through my one-woman show, Edie, that I can’t wait to perform at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Edie has already been seen across the pond in the USA. How was she received there, and
what should audiences expect here?
The Off-Broadway run was entirely sold out! People who were directly impacted by her bravery that came to see the show, spoke to me afterwards, thanking me for telling this story and helping them relive their wedding day.
There were also people at the show who didn’t know anything about Edie and were amazed by the impact of her life on society.
Audiences at Fringe are in for the same: an intense, emotional, funny, queer love story that will leave them changed.
Do solo shows and fringe festivals inspire you just as much as big ticket TV and movie opportunities?
Live performances, successful TV shows, and blockbuster movies all start from the same place: people’s dreams and drive to tell stories. I am inspired by all forms of theater and onscreen performances.
But the best are capable of transporting audiences, engaging people’s imaginations, and changing them. I hope that when people see Edie, it will have that effect on them.
I’ve always thought I could develop an onscreen adaptation of Edie. At its core, Edie is a queer love story wrapped in a legal drama.
Although we never see them, Edie interacts with many characters (e.g., her wife, lawyer, conversion therapist, friends and coworkers).
By incorporating them into a script, this production can be developed as a film or a limited series allowing for a richer, fully dimensional version of our hero’s journey.
What are you looking forward to in Edinburgh?
I’m excited to see so many amazing shows and meet other artists! The atmosphere at Fringe is charged with so much energy, it’s impossible not to be excited about the festival.
What’s next for the show?
I’m hoping that Fringe will serve as a springboard for Edie and I’ll be able to bring the show to more theaters and venues and develop the story into a limited series or film.
I’ve always felt that Edie, just like Edith Windsor herself, is destined for greatness.