Lottie Walker and Blue Fire Theatre return to Edinburgh Fringe this year with a new solo show, Bloody Mary(s). Read on to find out more about it!
“What’s in a name? Revered, despised, forgotten; the past is packed with remarkable Marys. From Biblical times to the present day, across cultures and continents, Marys, Mariams and Marias have featured in news reports, gossip columns, storybooks and holy tracts. Who wouldn’t love the chance to talk fashion with Mary Quant, politics with Mary Robinson or childcare with Mary Poppins? The team behind Fringe hit Chopped Liver & Unions invites you to take an interactive plunge into history, rediscover these uncommon women with a common name and answer the big question: which Mary are you inviting to dinner?”
Where: Willow Studio at Greenside @ Riddles Court, Thistle Theatre at Greenside @ Riddles Court, The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club
When: 7-30 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bloody-mary-s-1
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
The show is an exploration of the name Mary (the most popular female name for the last 500 years) and some of the women who have shared it; some more well-known than others. We’ll be asking the audience to create their own fantasy dinner party list, there’ll be songs and excellent prep for the pub quiz – or for impressing random people at bus stops with historical trivia. The original idea of covering 60 Marys in 60 minutes (can we do it?) came upon us at a post-Fringe social. It seemed like a good idea at the time…
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
We’d love you to join the world’s only Maryologist on a journey to learn some fun facts about the famous, not-so-famous – and infamous -women of history who share the same name. As we try to beat the clock and talk about 60 Marys in 60 minutes, you can plan your own fantasy dinner party, complete with playlist and cocktails and gain valuable knowledge to help you win your next pub quiz.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
The short answer is “yes”, we’re big Fringe fans, love performing here and missed it last year; but it’s an environment like no other and it’s not for everyone. The Fringe is gruelling, frustrating and exhausting (and that’s just the prep before arriving in Edinburgh). It is also exhilarating, satisfying and fun. So anyone reading this who’s performing at the Fringe for the first time and feeling overwhelmed – hang in there!
One of the best things is meeting like-minded people, both performers and audiences. We’ve made some fabulous friends and contacts through the Fringe. We’ve had lots of memorable moments – from the drama of trying to dry out costumes after a particularly heavy downpour of rain and the nightmare of navigating the university hall’s laundry systems, to the surprise of getting booked for an Off-Broadway run, and everything in between.
The Fringe is a rollercoaster ride. Not for the faint-hearted, but what an achievement to complete.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
We’re looking forward to catching up with fellow performers whom we only ever see in Edinburgh and seeing their show, and also taking some time out away from the madness to visit the Botanical Gardens and – for the first time – going to the seaside at Portobello.
For the first two weeks, we’re performing in the morning, and it’s going to be brilliant to have the rest of the day to ourselves to explore the City more than we have before. There are SO many good shows to see this year, and at the moment an unhealthy amount of our time is being spent poring over the Fringe programme.
What’s next for the show?
We’d love for this show to have a life going forward, and are hoping we can tour it; it really has got something for everyone (we all love a pub quiz and a TV quiz show, don’t we), so hopefully it will pop up at a theatre, history festival or cruise liner near you next year!
Post Fringe this year, the Marys will be visiting a London venue in October in an extended version of the show with more music, which is exciting.