It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to members of Frangipane Productions about the show The Party.

Date: 1st, 2md, 3rd August
Time: 9:30pm
Price: £15 concessions £13
Location: The Hope Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/the-party/

Hello! Tell us about yourselves? 

We are Frangipane Productions, a group of friends from uni who have gone into various roles within the artistic world and are reuniting to put on this ridiculous piece of theatre!

How did you come up with the name of your show that you’re taking to the Camden fringe?

Gavin:It was really a placeholder title until someone pointed out that they really liked its ‘dual aspect meaning’. This was totally unintentional and made me realise how those authors on the GCSE English Lit curriculum must feel when the teacher notes the significance of the line, ‘The curtains were blue.’ According to this person, The Party applies to both the celebrations going on in 10 Downing Street as well as to the Conservative Party itself. The part which he plays in each of these weighs heavy on the mind of our protagonist, Samuel, a young Tory SpAd.

I am grateful to my nameless critic for reading so much into the subtitle of the play too: A National Farce and/or Tragedy in One Act, which apparently reflects the dichotomy inherent in the work. As well as denoting the genre, the farce element refers to the state of the Conservative Party, which for a political movement with such a long and distinguished history (despite what people may think of it) is in an extremely sorry state at the moment. On the other hand, the tragedy refers to the sad state of the nation under a political party, which has grown fat, bloated, and corrupt with festering power. Such a well thought through title. I, of course, intended every part of it.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

Miranda: I’ll always jump at grim political satire like The Arsonists and The Visit. Give me the inescapable disasters of classic tragedy and the tingle-up-your-spine strangeness of plays like Heroes of the Fourth Turning – stuff that’s halfway between social commentary and ghost story. On the flipside, I also love immersive / playable theatre and earnest musicals full of heartbreak, redemption, and numbers you can belt in the shower. 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Gavin:Love the look of Lautrec and My Friend, Hershel Fink. Will be popping in to have a peek.

Miranda: Julie, Rome 3000, Tr33 and WOLF all look epic! 

It is your first time doing the Fringe – how do you feel about it?

Gavin:Somewhat terrified – but incredibly excited, and very grateful for the opportunity to present my work before a whole new audience. I sincerely hope they enjoy watching it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.  

Miranda: It’s my first time at Camden Fringe, but somehow it still feels like coming home. Something about cramped rehearsal rooms and buzzing venues and hasty curtain calls and coming back to a thriving grassroots theatre scene after so, so long.   

Maddy: Very difficult to shake the uncomfortable fear that we might not actually be that funny? But mainly very gassed to be in the same festival programme as so many talented people. 

What are your favourite things about London?

Gavin:I love that no one talks to anyone else. That really gets me off. I come from Ireland where everyone talks to each other constantly. So being over here is like a holiday for me.

Miranda: All the wonderful friends who live in this city.  

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Gavin:Graveyards and churches are my jam. So, big fan of St Pancras Old Church, and the adjoining gardens. Particularly the Hardy Tree. That thing has got major Sleepy Hollow vibes which is right up my street. Love a bit of Camden Market too.

Miranda: 1. This toastie van that used to be in Camden Market. Don’t know if it’s still there. 2. Hampstead Heath (not technically Camden, but only Londoners think it’s actually a long walk). 3. The Pineapple, for good memories

Maddy: The vegan options, the thriving arts and cultural scene, and most importantly the largest collection of completely inane and utterly useless purchasable souvenirs I’ve ever seen.

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

Gavin:‘Oh, she’s a thirsty girl,’ when I played Tinker/Twinker Bell in Peter Pan the Pantomime, because I was indeed a thirsty girl, and greatly in need of refreshment.

Miranda: In rehearsal once I told an actor to “make full use of your thrust”.  I was talking about the blocking. Does that count?  

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Gavin:For this show, not going to lie, would be lovely to have Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson in the audience. But he’s got a pretty hectic social schedule I hear. So, I’ll settle for Michael Gove or Liz ‘the Lizard’ Truss. (Seriously though, Martin McDonagh.)

Miranda:My gran, who loved theatre and never found out that I do too

Maddy: There’s a certain list of fixed-penalty notice holders currently doubling up as public servants who I’m sure would really enjoy the show! But obviously, for the sake of all of our future careers, our dream audience member would be Armando Iannucci (tickets are on the house Armando). 

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this years pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why?

Gavin: Clarence. I’ve only met one guy called Clarence in my life and he’s the absolute spit of this pigeon. Filthy. Clarence the Camden Fringe Pigeon.

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

@frangipaneproductions on instagram and @FranigpaneProds on twitter

And Finally in three words – why should people come and see the show? 

Miranda:PM’s Sweaty Crotch. 

Maddy:Your Civic Duty