+3 Interview: Tokyo Rose

Posted in EdFestivals, Written Interviews by

“We make gutsy female-led theatre that blends spoken word and music.”

WHO: Tanya Agarwal: Producer

WHAT: “Turn back the dial to 1949. Iva d’Aquino stands accused of treason in one of the most controversial trials in American history. Faced with accusations of peddling Axis propaganda, Iva becomes known as the notorious Tokyo Rose – but was she the villain she was made out to be? Five female wartime disc jockeys spit piercing verse in a rap-packed musical broadcast going live in 5, 4, 3… From the team behind The Half Moon Shania: ‘Best Musical Award 2018’ ***** (MusicalTheatreReview.com). **** (Stage). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly Untapped Award 2019.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Cowgate – Iron Belly (Venue 61) 

WHEN: 18:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our second time and we can’t wait to be back! Last year we took our debut show, The Half Moon Shania, which won Best Musical! It was such a huge learning curve and a really brilliant way to cement what we are about as a company. We can’t wait to come back this year!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

The biggest thing that has happened to us is that we won the Untapped Award in association with New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly. Without this award we definitely couldn’t have made Tokyo Rose, and we feel so lucky to have gained so much support from these two great organisations.

Tell us about your show.

Tokyo Rose is an electrifying new musical about one of America’s most controversial trails. Accused of peddling axis propaganda, Iva Toguri became known as the notorious Tokyo Rose – but was she the villain she was made out to be?

Burnt Lemon Theatre was formed by East 15 graduates Hannah Benson and Cara Baldwin, with Tanya Agarwal joining later on as producer. We make gutsy female-led theatre that blends spoken word and music.

We are so excited to be previewing the show at Derby Theatre as part of Departure Lounge Festival on the 18th of July. We have some plans for after Edinburgh, so watch this space!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Go see the other Untapped Award shows! Poltergeist’s Art Heist and Barrel Organ’s Conspiracy promise to be amazing. Some of our other favourite companies are also up at Fringe this year, including Trip Hazards with their show Progress and Bric a Brac Theatre with Mustard Doesn’t Go With Girls.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!