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 find out about the show Black is the Colour of My Soul

Date:  20th – 24th August
Time: 19:30
Price: £14 Concession £10
Location: The Courtyard Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/black-is-the-colour-of-my-soul/

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

I was inspired by how films like “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” by Yorgos Lanthimos use a title that creates such a sense of intrigue and mystique without giving away the narrative. So, I thought that “Black if the Colour of My Soul” gives the play just enough mystery and allure with an ominous feeling, whilst highlighting the mental health themes. In reality also, the title is in opposition to the message the narrative tries to get across; the whole play challenges this title, which is a remnant of 20^th Century perception of mental health, to show to the audience that we need to change our archaic views of mental health to make is a more approachable and understand topic in modern society.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

The show is heavily influenced by the works of Sarah Kane, specifically “4.48 Psychosis” and “Cleansed”, showcasing the dark side to the 20^th Century history of Mental Health in a visceral yet creative way. The play challenges the autocratic, ‘one-size fits all’ treatment approach, and integrates both abstract and physical theatre elements with dark comedy and emotive drama to give the audience an insight into the minds of the so-called ‘clinically insane’, inspired by Fox’s “Legion” and Ivo Van Hove’s production of “The Crucible”.

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

I would love to see “The Unicorn in Captivity” at the Theatro Technis; I’m intrigued to see the nuances and intricacies of the relationship between the characters in the two-hander showcasing the reality of chronic illness and perception of it. Also, “Ripper” at the Cockpit theatre looks very interesting to see an alternative tale of the notorious Jack the Ripper and the ethical dilemmas involved in journalism.

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

Apply as early as you can, so you have the most time possible to email theatres, have Zoom chats and be considered before they start to fill up with other applicants.

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

The opportunity to perform in a London theatre is huge, and the Camden Fringe makes this a realistic possibility for up and coming writers and directors to showcase their most innovative ideas in established theatres.

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

Honestly, not to be controversial, but probably not living in London. For our production, we are running our rehearsals outside of London and just commuting in for the show week to try and keep costs down for everyone involved – especially since the show occurs in the evening, trains will be cheap since they are not at peak times. Also with the increasing prevalence of self-tape auditions it’s not necessary to actually live in London so long as you can get in easily when you need to. … Also the bus is cheaper than the tube which is a good thing to remember.

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

It is such a lively area of London, there’s always something going o and it feels like a place that encourages different ways of creative expression. There’s also a great mash of cultures and a huge history in the Arts scene that makes it a brilliant place to perform.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who loves abstract theatre, is open-minded and takes an interest in mental health.

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?

Aziraphale, as I feel like the pigeon is reminiscent of the character from Good Omens: on the posher side, friendly and approachable and acting as your little guardian angel to help bring your show to life.

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

You can follow us on Instagram (@bitcoms_play), where you can see the latest updates, interviews with the team and some images from the high successful debut run at the University of Cambridge. Also, we are partnering with “Hillside Clubhouse” to spread the importance understanding and supporting people’s mental health. Hillside are a Camden charity which supports individuals struggling with their mental health to provide them alternative support outside of traditional clinical therapy and aid integration back into the workforce, so you can expect to see us on their socials soon too!

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

Stylish, hard-hitting thriller! (What more do you want?!)