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 The Proposal (by A. Chekhov)

Date: 22nd-24th August
Time: 16:30
Price: £10 Concession £8
Location: Hens & Chickens Theatre

Ticket Link:https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-proposal-by-a-chekhov/

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

Our show is a version of Anton Chekhov’s classic “The Proposal” — so there was no question of the name of the show, except for the detail that we chose to mention Chekhov directly in the title, as the play’s name is rather generic and Camden Fringe has so much new writing.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s a period comedy and we try to stay true to its original style as much as possible. Chekhov wrote the play in 1888/89, and, of course, our society and the whole world has changed since then — but the play remains as funny as ever, surely due to Chekhov’s genius in depicting characters and human nature. The play is full of personal quirks, strong characters and miscommunications — and it’s a treat both to stage it and to watch it!

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

I have my eye on several shows that I am intrigued by — but mostly I am excited to see “Friends Help You Move”, because it’s written and performed by my friends (no pun intended).

How are rehearsals going? 

We’re already very far into the rehearsal process, and in fact we have already performed the show at a small theatre festival in Lausanne. Now, we’re doing minor refinements. In general, the rehearsal process was very flexible, as we all have our schedules and commitments that we needed to work around, and we even had hybrid rehearsals for a while when one of us had to travel. But I am very happy that so far, we managed to find simple and stress-free solutions to all problems, whether administrative or artistic, and we all love getting into the rehearsal room together and work on this show. 

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

This is our first time at the fringe, so we’re very excited. I am really looking forward to the variety of shows I’ll get to see and to meeting likely-minded people — and I am also excited that my London-based friends will get to see our show, as normally my theatre projects stay ‘confined’ to Switzerland.

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

Looking forward to seeing answers from other groups to this question, as we are coming from Switzerland and are totally inexperienced so far!

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Robert Icke — because I’m such a fan. I’d love to tell him in person how much I love his modernisations of classic plays, and in a dream universe I’d love to shadow him — but that’s just dreams.

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?

Prince Norbert — getting a bit of a Nordic vibe from the colours, and had to go a little into the direction of fairy tales because of the human eye. Maybe he will transform into a human when he watches a play he really likes?..

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

You can find out more about the play and the cast on the show’s instagram, @theproposal.chekhov. You are also very welcome to follow me on my theatre adventures — @alex.sasha.shelest.

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

For pure joy

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