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 Writer and performer Arden Winant and Director and co-producer Grainne Robson about the show Bea P. Deigh

Date: 15th –17th August
Time: 20:30
Price: £14 Concession: £12
Location: Lion & Unicorn Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/bea-p-deigh/

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

AW: The title of the show is a play on the acronym BPD, which in this context stands for Borderline Personality Disorder. I wanted a name for this character that was both tongue-in-cheek, but also left the audience with no question as to what this show was going to be about. And since she’s the star of the show, both literally and metaphorically, why not name the whole thing after her?

GR: Unless you’re my mates who thought it was BAY PAY DEEG, they lost a bit of context there.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

AW: When I was a younger artist I was really wary of comedy for some reason – I convinced myself that I couldn’t do it. So once I decided that I wanted to write this, I instinctively went in a direction that scared me: clown. Specifically, Bouffon clown and the Commedia dell’Arte. The idea of pulling comedy out of tragedy, and the clown figure in general, turned out to be a really good storytelling mechanism for a subject matter that’s pretty dark and uncomfortable to sit with at times, both as a performer and as an audience member. So going through my old therapy journals with an eye toward the absurd and exaggerated was almost a therapeutic experience, and I hope that the audience has a similar feeling once they leave the theatre.

GR: Arden and I worked on a previous project together and as soon as she mentioned this play she had written I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Characters, clown, comedy, tragedy and also representation on a mental health issue that is personal to a lot of people and not discussed enough. I was all in. We gained lovely support from our previous WIP run at The Pen Theatre and knew we had to do it again.

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

AW: I’m really excited to see “Go! The Musical” .It’s being directed by friend and fellow Mountview alum Nick Bond, and it sounds like a blast.

GR: I have some very talented friends performing after us at The Lion and Unicorn. The show is called ‘Bogging-Off From Blighty’ by Second Jest Theatre, also ‘Gloria’s Gift’ at The Old Red Lion looks brilliant.

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

AW: Honestly, to just bite the bullet and do it. Yes, of course you should have a plan for things like budgeting and marketing and the like, but what I’ve learned producing my own work in general is to just press “send” on that application and get the ball rolling. The funding and the publicity and everything else will fall into place. Be brave and put your art out there.

GR: I like Camden Fringe because it feels a lot more accessible than other Fringe Festivals (cough, Edinburgh, cough) and I think my advice would be: keep the passion alive (feel like a couples therapist), but do a show you are passionate about, with people you like and a theatre you trust. Enjoy the process.

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

AW: Well I’m a Camden Fringe newbie, but I will say that the thing I’m most looking forward to is the community that’ll come out of this experience, the people I’ll meet, and the art that I’ll get to see. I can’t wait to show-hop!

GR: I have been three times to Camden Fringe so I clearly love it. I love the sense of community, I am interested in other people’s shows and sharing the love.

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

AW: Don’t be afraid to use online fundraising sites! It feels like everyone and their mother has a GoFundMe nowadays, and I know it feels weird to ask the internet for money, but no matter what your show is about there are people who will gladly support you and your art. Greenlit was a big part of our fundraising push to get our show to the Fringe, and now we don’t have to worry about breaking even – makes everything a lot more enjoyable!

GR: I re-wrote this a hundred times because I kept getting too political. I love creating theatre, the hardest part is financials of course, as freelancers we all feel the pressure and the burden to keep the industry going and to prove it is important to keep independent theatre alive through these hard times. We were so lucky to have lovely support through our online fundraiser which we are so grateful for. I have done all sorts of financing from putting my own money into a show to fundraising, so it’s trial and error on what works for you!

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

AW: Well I’m a New Yorker who’s only been living in London for the last three years, and I love that Camden feels a bit like Brooklyn! It’s artsy and eclectic, and I got my most recent tattoo there…which from what I understand, is a fairly universal Camden experience. 

GR: I am from Nottingham but when we visited London I would beg to go to Camden for the goths and punks and the market to buy weird jewellery, and like Arden I have also had my fair share of tattoos in Camden (none got infected). I still love to go for the theatre, the canal, and the food (and saying “Hi” to Amy Winehouse of course).

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

AW: Gonzo. Or Sam the Eagle, if Gonzo isn’t available.

GR: My therapist. 

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?

AW: Marsha Linehan. She’s the woman who developed DBT therapy specifically for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, and I don’t know, there’s something a little haunted behind that pigeon’s eyes…

GR: Fluoxetina, Sertralina, Citalo-pam.

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

AW: Website: www.ardenwinant.com ; Instagram: @ardenwinant ; Spotlight Pin: 8131-6726-5458

GR: Grainne Robson, the director, who directs comedy, clown, tragedy in theatre and stand-up is on instagram as @grainne_robson (www.grainnerobson.com) or she has her own company @saltcircleproductions

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

AW: Community, visibility, and Muppets.

GR: Therapy Too Spenny