“We have been to Edinburgh, Texas! But I don’t think this is what you were asking…”
WHO: Cara Johnston
WHAT: “France 1817. The French Revolution is over for all except one. Théroigne de Méricourt has stepped out of the revolution and into the asylum. Left unsupervised, she spends her final days crafting her life’s great work, an opera about the revolution she never left behind. As the self-cast leading lady of her own imagination, Théroigne performs to an illusory audience and a standing ovation.”
WHERE: Paradise in The Vault – The Vault (Venue 29)
WHEN: 14:00 (40 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
We have been to Edinburgh, Texas! But I don’t think this is what you were asking…
My sister and I made our Edfringe debut virtually in 2021 (returning in 2022) with our 5-Star reviewed play, “The Little Glass Slipper as Performed by the Queen of France and her Friends.” This is our first in-person Edfringe and our first time in Scotland! So, if you see two lost girls wearing cowboy hats, you will know it is us. Say “Howdy,” y’all!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
My sister and I planned to take our play, “The Little Glass Slipper as Performed by the Queen of France and her Friends” to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2020 and the world shut down. We (thankfully) got our venue deposit back and we pressed forward, planning to attend in 2021… On the day of our first read-through with the cast, my sister received the bad news that she had cancer. We filmed our production from Dallas, Texas and participated in Edfringe online. Now, in 2023, with Covid vaccinations and my sister’s cancer in remission, we have a brand new show coming in-person to Edfringe 2023! The biggest lessons we have learned are to bet on yourself and fight to fulfill your dreams! Also, to have fun and celebrate being alive!
Tell us about your show.
In research for “The Little Glass Slipper as Performed by the Queen of France and her Friends,” I came across Théroigne de Méricourt. She was an opera singer turned French Revolutionist who survived the Reign of Terror by being committed to an insane asylum where she spent the remainder of her life speaking about the Revolution despite it having been over for decades. Théroigne’s story resonated with my sister because she, too, was an artist with a need to create art, despite dire circumstances. Théroigne’s story resonated with me because I, too, had become hyperfixated on the French Revolution, waiting for any excuse to bring up Robespierre in daily conversation. We love bringing a woman forgotten by history back where she loved to be – the spotlight!
Our production team consists of my sister and me. My sister does our show’s visual elements (costume, set design, and graphics) while I do the theatrical elements (writer, director, and performer.) Our set is hand-painted. Our mom even sewed the costumes! We produced and funded the show ourselves by painting murals. You can see our work on instagram: @DallasMuralSisters.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
After you see The Madwoman, go support other one-woman shows at the Edfringe! These are on the top of our “Must See” List. What can we say? We have a thing for historical stories and female voices.
Tennessee, Rose (The Style Theatre) – A show about Tennessee William’s sister? We are only mad that we didn’t think of this first.
Victorine: The Artist’s Model (Moon Rabbit) – We’ve been following this group online since their production of “Philomena McGuinness” and we are excited to finally see their beautiful work in person!
Tituba (Africanus World) – Tituba is the most interesting character in The Crucible. A show from her perspective will be nothing less than amazing.
The Last Flapper (Belle Savage) – The Jazz Age through the lens of an insane asylum? Yes, please! This group is also coming from Dallas, Texas! Texans support Texans.
Marie Lloyd Stole My Life (Blue Fire Theatre Company) – Scandal, betrayal, AND set in a Victorian Music Hall! What more could you possibly want in a show?
Being Sophie Scholl (Acting Coach Scotland) – We loved the Sophie Scholl biopic, “The Final Days,” so we are really looking forward to seeing this one. We won’t tell you how the story ends but after you watch it, you’ll understand why a show set during the French Revolution would recommend this one…
Grown Up Orphan Annie (Katherine Bourne Taylor) – We can’t wait to hear what our favorite orphan has been up to after all these years!
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