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 Lorna about the show The Suitcase – Losing Famagusta

Date: 13th – 15th August
Time: 19:30
Price: £15 Concession: £10
Location: Theatro Technis
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-suitcase/

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

The idea was sparked by the suitcase my family took when we were made refugees in 1974 during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. There were random items that we grabbed. The test performance last year was called The Suitcase. This year I’ll be performing exactly 50 years after leaving and losing our family home in Famagusta. The suitcase in the image is that suitcase, and the polka dot dress was what my mother was wearing on the day we fled. In the show I unpack my memories from the suitcase. 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show.

I’m embodying myself as a child from 0-12, along with my parents and grandparents as viewed by me as a child. So it’s playful, funny, and very physical. There’s some audience participation for anyone who wants to join me in recreating my amazing childhood in Famagusta.  As we know children love being silly, and I love being silly on stage with anyone happy to join me. But it’s also an emotional show because I lost that childhood. 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Fringe?

Refuge at the Etcetera Theatre

Another play about the experience of becoming a refugee. 

The Etcetera is one of my favourite venues during the Camden Fringe. 

How Can’t I Help at the Lion & Unicorn

I love a good situation comedy and this one set in a GP surgery has a big buzz around it. 

I’m very fond of the Lion & Unicorn as this is where I really learnt to be a solo performer. 

The Martyrs at Theatro Technis

The programme at Theatro Technis What’s On has some gems. One of the great things about the Camden Fringe Festival is being able to see work developing. This rehearsed reading has all the ingredients of a cracking thriller: history, activism, war, and friendship, set in Iran and London. 

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

Do a test performance and use this to get feedback, images, and videography. I wish I’d thought of having an image of me looking direct at the camera before I did my test performance last year — but I didn’t know then it would go really well, and I’d go on to do the Camden Fringe. 

Go see lots during the fringe this year and strike a relationship with a venue so they know you before you even apply. Talk to the ushers, bar staff, and anyone who looks like they’re part of the team. I love the Theatro Technis team and they’re really supportive. It’s important to feel good about the people around you as inevitably we the artists are nervous. 

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

The fact that I’m a Camden Borough resident and don’t need to worry about accommodation and transport is a huge plus. It takes me 20 minutes to get to Theatro Technis. 

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

DIY. Whilst developing my solo practice I’ve learnt to do costume, set design, marketing, anything involved in making a show. It’s empowering. Then later when you have someone on your team you’ll know how to brief them, and you’ll really appreciate their skills.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Cypriot restaurant Daphne’s I’m Cypriot and fussy as everything has to live up to my mother’s food. This tiny little place is tucked away in Bayham Street. Take a look at the stunning photos from Cyprus on the walls. 

Greek restaurant Yamas  This is my top choice with Greek friends. I was a fan well before meeting the owner Fani at Greek dancing lessons.  

The bar at Theatro Technis Alongside all the brilliant pub theatres, there’s also the bar here for before/after seeing a play. In the summer when the Camden Fringe Festival is on, there’s a great outside space plus a little intimate courtyard tucked away. The theatre is also something of a community theatre history site. This year for me will be special as there will be an exhibition of the items we took as a family when we suddenly had to leave during the invasion of Cyprus in 1974. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Alex Christophi author of Cypria and Pete Paphides author of Broken Greek 

I’m currently reading Cypria, an evocative history of Cyprus with the author’s own heartfelt memories and observations. I read and listened to Broken Greek and didn’t want this memoir about identity and music to end. I know where both Alex and Pete are coming from, and of course I will be inviting them to the show. 

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

Maverick –Camden Fringe gathers a tribe of artists having to deal with the theatre system yet who relish making work that is as experimental and exploratory whilst also entertaining. 

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

TWITTER / X ACCOUNT: @LornaVwriter

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: @LornaVPerformer

Facebook page: Facebook page  THE SUITCASE: Losing Famagusta

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

This is Cyprus