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 Cait Roddam Jones about the show The Girl With The Glass Heart.

Date: 20th-21st August
Time: 19:15
Price: £8 Concession: £5
Location: Camden People’s Theatre
Ticket Link:  https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-girl-with-the-glass-heart/

Hello! Tell us about The Girl With The Glass Heart? 

Hiya! My first complete one-person play “The Girl With The Glass Heart” is essentially some form of sophisticated rant, if you will, detailing the life-story of a British teenager dealing with bouts of anxiety and depression after enduring an emotionally traumatic childhood. From this, you might gather that it’s just going to be 50 minutes of pathos with no light and shade, but this in fact couldn’t be further from the truth.

Granted, the subject matter and content is heavy and at points difficult to listen to, and trust me, some aspects were very difficult to write, but humour and positive moments were still absolutely essential, because for many of us dealing with mental health issues in whatever shape or form, sense of humour is often the most effective coping mechanism.

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

Strangely enough, coming up with the name of the show was probably the easiest part for me overall. We’re all familiar with that famous turn of phrase “Heart of Glass” that most people know from Debbie Harry’s explosive 1978 single, and something about the title made me think that it would be brilliant to apply to a character, particularly a character who could very much be described as having a glass heart as a result of emotional fragility and sensitivity.

By utilising this saying that often receives negative connotations, I felt I was reclaiming it and essentially stating while, yes, I am deeply sensitive and my emotions are more often than not a bit all over the place, this actually helps me to be the empathetic and creative person that I am. I want it to be clearly understood through this piece that sensitivity doesn’t have to be your weakness. It can be your greatest asset.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

I’ve never done any fringe festival before, and as a soon-to-be seventeen-year-old I did initially find it somewhat daunting being in a position where I was writing, directing and producing my own show for the first time. But the Camden Fringe and the Camden People’s Theatre have been beyond supportive and helpful throughout the whole process, and I feel so grateful for all of it.

The Girl With The Glass Heart is a piece of work I’m too proud of to leave sitting on my laptop for all eternity. It’s a story that really needs to be listened to, and an intimate audience/venue with a big and bold sense of community is exactly what I wanted for this piece, so win-win! I saw an amazing production just the other day at the Southwark Playhouse featuring two young talented women called “Shewolves”.

That also started out as a Fringe production, and so it was a brilliant source of inspiration as well as being thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Number one, the people. They all have their own style and completely own it. It’s so great for young people, particularly young queer people. I’ve never felt so at home being an openly bisexual teenager with a unique sense of style as I do in Camden town. Finally, and most importantly, it’s that spirit of Amy Winehouse that follows you whichever street you go down. She’s everywhere – on walls, posters, and her music plays in almost every shop and café I’ve been in. She’s referenced quite a lot in this play, and I just hope I do her memory justice.

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

One of my favourite lines in this play is quite simply “I’ve noticed a lot of the most revered and celebrated artists – particularly writers – they seem to be some of the most f***** up people on the planet.” Need I say more?

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

In the perfect dream world, all the actors who have inspired me since becoming a part of the industry. Isis Hainsworth, Judi Dench and Viola Davis would be the absolute dream team!

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

You can find my show easily on the Camden Fringe’s Facebook account on their Events page! You’ll find my show in the brochure coming out soon. More information and tickets to the show is also on their website, you just need to search “The Girl With The Glass Heart”!

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

Beautifully challenging chaos.