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 Slovak Theatre in London about the show Extreme [The New Norm]

Date: 22nd, 23rd & 27th August
Time: 19:30
Price: £14 Concession: £10
Location: The Water Rats
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/extreme-the-new-norm/

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

Hi! We are Slovak Theatre London. Our company is run by young Slovak and Czech theatre-makers living in London. It is a devised touring theatre with productions on up-to-date topics often reflecting on their experiences performed in Slovak and English language. Apart from various UK locations, we regularly visit Prague, Brussels and Slovakia. The range of locations, venues and countries where we perform expands year by year. We are also the only organisation of its kind that provides young artists of Central-Eastern European origin with an opportunity to gain the skills required for running their own independent projects.

STL was established in 2009 thanks to the creative efforts of Slovaks living in London. Former amateur productions have become more professional over the years and the audience grew. We maintained the London expat theatre culture by putting new shows on annually until the pandemic hit in the Spring of 2020. “Extreme [The New Norm]”, the fourth production under the STL banner, brings the company back to life. 

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

Every time we sat down to talk about the new show ideas, we ended up talking about the different extremes we experience in life but also in society and the extreme views in opinions. How some current topics which were ignored for a long time are now turned into another extreme and how that all became even more evident during the pandemic. And so, we decided to do a show about covid-19. Each of us has a different and contracting story but all of them relate to one element – an extreme. We’ve experienced so many extreme situations in a short span of time that we had to normalise them. The definition of extreme is something beyond normal. Hence, the name of our show is “Extreme [The New Norm]”.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show

“Reality lightened up with humour.” – devised play inspired by the exact experience that paused our creative work for nearly three years. Pandemic rules brought us contrasting experiences. We couldn’t rely on what would happen in the next hour, let alone in the next month. We find ourselves living beyond the norm. Extremes became the norm.

The show reflects on the biggest event of our century, which globally influenced the life of every individual. In a colourful collage of scenes and characters, the play shows the contrasting situations brought by the pandemic, many times based on true events. Through collaborative devising, by using physical movements, music and songs, the artists explore the patterns of behaviour of society and individuals in a time of catastrophe. While this stage of our lives might already seem distant, their artistic treatment emphasizes the experience of crisis rather than the event itself, as it desires to serve as a mirror to challenge opinions and call to new perspectives. Ultimately, the show, filled with both seriousness and humour, offers a collective therapy through art.

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

So many amazing shows it is hard to choose! But if we must then here are a few picks. Runaway by Zuzana Spacirova, another Slovak actress based in London. We want to support fellow Slovaks! “The Girl” – The Cynthia Lennon Story sounds like an interesting topic one of which we haven’t heard about. It would be great to see how creators captured her story. You Are Alright – a new comedy dance show from award-winning choreographer, Sam Burkett. I Start Things But Don’t Fin – sounds like a familiar problem for any artist. And then acts which will be in the same venue: Truth, Love & Madness or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Depression, The Marilyn Monroe Burlesque Show, Semblance of a Woman 

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

We haven’t! And that makes it even more exciting. For the first time since our start, we feel confident to expand our international audience beyond the Slovak expat community and we think fringe is the best place to do so.

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe next year?

Do it! Don’t hesitate or wait until you feel 100% ready. Just jump in and register as soon as possible. There is a lot to sort out but the whole administrative process is easier than we thought.

What is the best thing about performing at the Camden fringe?

The festival itself does a lot of work for you including marketing and works as a platform for independent artists to get more exposure among wide audiences, get seen by media and critics and maybe… to even win an award! Yes, The Off West End Awards critics also visit the shows but the best advice from us is to invite them personally way ahead of your show dates – you know they are on demand! But most of all, we just feel so understood and already connected to our fellow theatre makers.

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give to performers that is a sort of life hack?

Camden Fringe is a great opportunity to get the best venue hire prices. From our experience when we have a show outside the festival, it is more expensive to do. So, doing a fringe show is actually the best way to put on a show. Lifehack’s advice would be to also explore all financial possibilities depending on the type of artist you are and the type of the show – find funding, sponsors, or do crowdfunding. You can try and approach companies for in-kind donations – meaning getting stuff for free or in a barter exchange. What is it that you can offer in return for the help you receive?

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

The artistic vibe and the variety of people, the old stables at the market – now used for immersive shows too and the street food!

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

Our favourite one-liner is: “I don’t mind that you’re not vaccinated. And I don’t mind you are.” As it shows that people can accept each other despite the difference in opinions, beliefs, or preferences. And that’s what makes us human.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

If you are asking about celebrities, then one and only Meryl Streep but also Ben Kingsley or casting director Nina Gold. Though, the dream audience is anyone who can be touched by our art and the message within it. And we not going to lie that if there is a kind critic among those, that’s ideal! Haha…

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?

The Gentlemen of Camden. If we are correct this year’s pigeon wears a smoking suit and a cylinder hat. What a class?! Hence, we named him the gentleman – an elegant and classy, iconic Camden pigeon.

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

We are on all social media – literally, even on LinkedIn. You can find us as Slovak Theatre London on most of them here are the links: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok. We also have a website www.slovaktheatreinlondon.com 

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

For Collective Therapy – we have been through a lot during the past years, so as we like to say: “Our show is like a collective therapy through art.” So, will you join us to heal through art?