“It’s a celebration of the working class and its resilience and uses protest songs to illustrate specific moments in history.”
WHO: Lottie Walker
WHAT: “The East End of London has burned with the fires of rebellion for centuries. From the Matchgirls in 1888 to the Made in Dagenham workers at Ford’s in 1968, its women have fought for change. In 1928, Sara Wesker led a 12-week strike with the workers literally singing for their suppers on the picket line. In 1936 she fought at the battle of Cable Street. But did this formidable woman’s passion for the cause destroy the passion for the love of her life?”
WHERE: theSpace on the Mile – Space 2 (Venue 39)
WHEN: VARIES (45 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
It’s my third time at Edinburgh as a performer and 4th as producer; I’ve experienced other, smaller fringe festivals, which has been lovely but there’s nothing like Edinburgh! The “spirit of the fringe” is very much alive and well; despite there being so much competition people look out for each other and support other people’s shows.
It’s an in your face experience however you’re involved, but if you think Edinburgh Festival Fringe is overwhelming from an audience perspective-imagine what it’s like from a performer’s. It’s full on sensory overload for an entire month. I’ve certainly learned to pace myself over the past few years!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Tough question – every day’s a school day! I think the most important thing I’ve learned over the last year is to concentrate on fewer things and do each of them well. And to be consistent – whether it’s remembering to do vocal exercises, promote my shows, take my vitamins or achieve that elusive 10,000 steps a day!
I’ve also learned to go with my instinct; This show has been over a year in the making and I wish we’d bitten the bullet and got it out on the road last year. Had we moved a little faster and debuted it at the 2022 fringe we would have really captured the zeitgeist; Imagine doing a play about singing strikers amidst the mayhem of the refuse collectors’ strike last summer. The publicity would have written itself.
Tell us about your show.
Chopped Liver and Unions is the story of Sara Wesker, trade union activist, communist, refugee, top party guest – and aunty to playwright Sir Arnold. It’s written by J.J. Leppink with whom I share a love of history, especially the forgotten stories of people who should be remembered and particularly forgotten women. It’s a celebration of the working class and its resilience and uses protest songs to illustrate specific moments in history. Feel free to join in – you’ll know the tunes if not the words!
The production company, Out of the Fire is the new sister company to Blue Fire Theatre Co. Both companies produce plays about forgotten heroes but whereas Blue Fire focusses on theatrical themes, Out of the Fire has a broader remit and community focus. We’re hoping once we’re back from Edinburgh to tour this show, bringing Sara’s story to a new generation. We’re particularly keen to work in East London and similar working class areas where the locals will relate to Sara and her story and if we can tie in the performances with some textile -related workshops we’d love it. It would be great to share a stage with union banners made by that night’s audience.
We did a short preview run of the show at Brighton Fringe, followed by one performance locally in London and have been touched by how many people the show resonates with. It is a play for today. Sara’s fight is our fight. Nearly 100 years after she led her first strike and fought at the Battle of Cable Street we are seeing civil unrest across the world, war in Europe, the rise of populist political parties and the erosion of workers’ rights. Nothing has changed except the names. The struggle continues.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Oh there is SO much good stuff this year! I’m a sucker for the historical and female focussed stuff but if you can’t broaden your horizons at the Edinburgh Fringe, where can you..? I’m going to be checking out all of these:
Marie Lloyd Stole My Life This is a bit of self interest – it’s my own Victorian Music Hall show – all together now!
Havisham The story behind the tragedy of Dickens’ Miss Havisham. Missed this in Brighton – can’t wait to catch it in Edinburgh
The Last Flapper – brings Zelda Fitzgerald out from the shadow of her husband, the novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Really looking forward to some 1920’s decadence – Zelda’s experience was a world away from my Sara Wesker’s!
OTMA – the final few hours of the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Right up my street!
Mrs President – the widowed Mary Lincoln’s quest to find her own identity and image following the assassination of her husband
And This is My Friend Mr Laurel – seen this already and seeing it again! moving and veyr entertaining account of the life of Stan Laurel
Ay Up Hitler – the “true” story of what happened after Hitler escaped the allies and fled to – Yorkshire!
Diana: the Untold & Untrue Story – an outrageous imagining of Diana Princess of Wales.
A Gefilte Fish Out of Water – Stacey looks to her (Jewish) heritage to cope and heal with food and humour.
Godot is a Woman – “A whip-smart interrogation of gender, authorial copyright and the cultural significance of Madonna’s 1989 album Like a Prayer”- who could resist?
The Last of the Soviets – “Two Russian artists in exile reveal the cruelty of Soviet life with a good dose of dark humour”
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