Now open at Edinburgh Fringe, Lindsay Cole’s children’s book The Mermaid, The Otter, and The Big Poo becomes a lively new show.
“Tired of the state of our waterways? So is adventure mermaid Lindsey Cole and she needs your help to wave the big poo right outta her home so Otter can return.
Expect songs, dance, games, a splash of audience improv and a whole dump of fun.”
Where: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House
When: to 17 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lindsey-cole-s-the-mermaid-the-otter-and-the-big-poo
The Mermaid, The Otter and the Big Poo takes a light but firm approach to sewage pollution. What can audiences expect?
It’s based on my kids book which was based on the actual true story of me swimming the length of the Avon in my mermaid tail, with my big poo sculpture, investigating how sewage waste affects otters.
The show is fun and silly and interactive. Kids can get up on stage. I get a dad in the audience to be the villain – Sue Widgewaste. I’ve thrown in 80s and 90s nostalgia and puns for the parents. I’ve changed the lyrics to well known songs so they’re poo related.
The villain of the story, Sue Widgewaste, loves money so when her toilet breaks she doesn’t want to waste money fixing it, so she blasts her poo business through the cannon outside her castle – which creates the big poo.
How easy was it to adapt the book into a fun, musical, romp?
Not overly easy considering I wasn’t a performer, but it kind of grew which I’m very proud of. I enjoyed exploring how to turn it into a show, so I took improv and clowning classes and went to loads of shows for research. I loved the process of developing it.
How did you make a start in theatre? Do you find Fringe festivals inspiring?
I LOVE the Fringe!
I did my first show about 3 years ago. It was by accident really. I had a friend who just moved to Edinburgh and invited me to visit him. I thought I’d visit whilst the fringe was on because I’d never been.
Then I thought, if I’m coming to Edinburgh for the Fringe, why don’t I do my own show. It was basic and a little cr*p, but I loved I loved everything about the Fringe and learned soooo much.
Someone told me I should flyer outside someone’s show who was similar to me. So I sat outside Julia Donaldson’s in my mermaid tail. One day I saw her in the street and approached her to say hello. Before I did she said “Ah you’re the mermaid we walk past every day. My husband has a photo of you.” She’s the queen of picture books and my idol, and she knew I existed and I felt a little giddy.
The next day, I told the people in the show after mine about meeting Julia Donaldson. They had no idea who she was and told me someone famous they met in Sci Fi, and I had no idea who they were.
I just loved how everyone had their own interests and icons and there were so many different genres that no one genre or performer was really more superior and everyone had to graft. It was really levelling.
What are you looking forward to the most at Edinburgh?
The vibe, the creativity, the colour, the energy, the shows, the people, getting inspired.
Where can we see the show after Fringe?
Anywhere that would like to have it and show it.