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 team behind the show SpaceEater.

Date: 18th &19th August
Time: 18:00
Price: £12 Concession: £8
Location: The Courtyard Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/spaceeater/

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

EMMA: During one of my visits to Budapest (where I’ve grown up) I went to the Light Art Museum that recently opened at the time and was very popular amongst locals and tourists alike and included a lot of installations from old and contemporary artists. There was a piece by Viktor Vicsek titled Space Eater, where you would enter this huge air balloon, and inside there was an all-round projection show going on underscored with music. It simply transported me to a different dimension, I sat there for a good half an hour I think, fully immersed in what I was seeing. This is where the inspiration for SpaceEater came from. In those projections I saw an Astronaut lost in the cosmos, pondering about the questions of humanity.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

EMMA: I have a deep love for absurdist theatre and while this is the route I originally started heading down during writing, SpaceEater really took control over its creation and became a mix of many things. The actors had a lot of influence on it after the first 20-minute showing, I feel like they gave a soft edge to my harsher existentialist style, made it a bit more approachable for general audiences. There are a lot of hints to philosophical movements such as stoicism or nihilism, a bit of science involved, both physics and medicine. Overall, I would say it’s a colourful mix of scifi and absurdism, and a sense of boldness we all share about theatre. 

COREY: SpaceEater is about the existentialist journey of life. But if we think about it I do think that all theatre is existentialist a bit, or at least holds a mirror up to life. So I would say it’s also about love and all the things in-between. Sometimes emotions like that are so complicated and everyone interprets them in a different way. This show is similar, there is so many ways you can think about it. For me it’s a lot about the acceptance of nothingness and knowing when to let go.  

ALICE: This is a show about knowledge and sacrifice. It’s all the questions we as humans scared to ask or think about. There is so much that we don’t know and will never know and that can be daunting. Hopefully SpaceEater will help with that a bit. The Astronaut is all of us and he is dissected on stage as he navigates the unknown.

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

EMMA: Our goal at the fringe is not only to perform but to get to know the amazing performers from other companies too. I’m arriving without plans in regards of what to see, I want to be swept away, end up where that day takes me really. I looked at the website and there is a lot of interesting things going on that I will be definitely trying to see. It would be very exciting to connect with young and student creators like us.

COREY: I’m excited to see Two Come Home, it originates from the same place in Colchester as our show and its great to see our community representing itself. And of course, I can’t wait to see all the other shows in Courtyard Theatre too. 

ALICE: I would love to see London Cycling Man and the Womb.

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

EMMA: The most important step is to apply. Personally, I was scared to apply, there is always that little voice in the back of your head saying that your show might not be good enough or that you are not on that level in directing or writing to do such a thing. This is so not true. I truly believe that every show is worth enough to have a chance to be shown and taken on to such a big fringe, we theatre makers do this because we have something important to say. So, say it, and say it loud. 

GABRIELLE: It’s important to work with people who love and support you no matter what, it gives you that sense of safety that is required during the making of any work. At Kraken Theatre we are literally each other’s favourite people on the planet, and we wouldn’t have this any other way. Theatre creates special bonds, and I wouldn’t step on stage if I didn’t have this company by my side. I wouldn’t do this show with anyone else. 

COREY: Go for it. If you have a project that you are excited and passionate about just do it. It’s daunting to put yourself out there at first, but its so worth it. Someone will be interested, even if its just a few people and the experience you will gain will be so valuable in the long run. 

ALICE: First reach out to as many people as possible. If someone shows interest tell them about what you are working on, why is it important to you. People usually attracted to things others passionate about and this is also great advertising. On that note, don’t underestimate how much self promoting you will have to do, you can’t do it enough. It’s never too much. But most importantly get your friends and loved ones to see your beautiful work.

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

EMMA: The opportunity to connect with many other amazing creatives and see shows that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. I think the theatre community is incredible, but I do believe we have to reach out to others more, we could provide each other with so many new opportunities. And also as an Essex based company it’s great to experience the London stage, this is one of our biggest dreams coming true. 

COREY: Camden is a really cool place with a lot of vibrancy and creativity and that reflects on the arts scene too. This is where you go when you want to see something new and exciting and that’s exactly why our company is going too. 

ALICE: Hard to say as this is our first time, but I’m excited to experience the variety of culture and art. I’m sure we will leave with unforgettable memories and many things learnt about this area and fringe. From now on we will definitely frequent every upcoming Camden Fringe.

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

EMMA: As a director I make sure that the cast and crew doesn’t spend money on anything that is not absolutely necessary. After making the creative choices I think this is my biggest job. Also, if you are a small company like us or doing the fringe solo definitely start a fundraiser and be loud about it. 

COREY: Save up and fundraise. Get support from your loved ones. 

ALICE: Fundraise and get help from your friends. Don’t be afraid to be fugal.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

GABRIELLE: I love the vibrancy of it, there is so much colour wherever you go be that culture, arts or anything really. There is always good food to be had too and life seems to be so elevated there. There is always something to do, somewhere to go, things to see. 

COREY: Food, density and the theatre, experiences reach each other there and create a blend. It will be good to spend more times there and get to know Camden on a deeper level. See the theatre side of things. 

ALICE: Culture, history and (for the sake of my sister) Amy Winehouse. No matter where you go history just surrounds you there, so many things to learn about that I’m excited to explore. Doing a show here will be something we will talk about for a long time.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

EMMA: If I would have everyone there from my family. They live at the far side of Europe, so coming to London from there can be really expensive. It would be truly amating to have all of them in the auditorium. I know some of them are coming, but everyone who is staying at home will be missed. (And yes, I also have an embarrassingly long list of celebrities I would love to see and say hi to, but what are the chances.) 

GABRIELLE: Tom Holland… But really my nan, she is my biggest fan and she is always there to support me, despite never seeing me perform in person. I hope this changes, it would be truly special to know she is in the audience. 

COREY: Honestly? Denzel Washington. 

ALICE: Mitski. (She’ll cancel All Points East just to see us.) 

GEORGE: Cristiano Ronaldo I think. I always wanted to meet him.

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?

EMMA: He gives me Edward. I think the bow tie and the top hat does it. 

GABRIELLE: Wiley, because maybe the pigeon is just the friends we made along the way. 

COREY: Felix. 

ALICE: Richard. 

GEORGE: Earnest. He just gives me that vibe.

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

EMMA: We are active and always sharing news on our Instagram (@kraken.theatreco) and we are more than happy to answer messages about our shows or engage in conversation with our audience. Through our Instagram page you can also find us on YouTube, where we share the previous versions of some of our shows, or on X and TikTok.

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

EMMA: (To) dare ask questions. 

COREY: Introspective, devastating, daring. 

ALICE: New, authentic, wild.

GEORGE: Intense, dark, engaging.