EdFringe Talk: Gate Number 5

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“You generally have no idea what’s going to happen. And meeting one special person, who inspires you, can take your life to a whole new place”

WHO: Henriette Laursen

WHAT: “A half-live, half-virtual interracial lesbian love story between a white European and a black former refugee. Become a passenger on a funny and heartfelt journey from their first date to a loving, cheeky, honest (sometimes too honest) lesbian relationship, told in a mix of film, visual media and live performance. Inspired by true events, prepare to fall in love as they begin their extraordinary, almost too good to be true, love story that leads them through life to Gate Number 5.”

WHERE: C ARTS | C venues | C aurora – studio (Venue 6) 

WHEN: 16:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is not my first time in Edinburgh, no. Years ago, I was fortunate enough to get an Erasmus spot at Glasgow University (granted I was the only one applying for it), and I got to spend 4-5 months roaming the Scottish landscapes – and Edinburgh was one of them. And what a contrast this stunning, old city was to the edgy life of the home of Trainspotting.

Although I partook in drama, starring as the fearful pirate #4, in the student production of Peter Pan, I surprisingly never made it to Edinburgh Fringe during my time there.

Years went by, and instead I was to pop my Edinburgh virginity with my own comedy show, Going Straight to Gay, when I secured a great spot at a great venue in the year of 2020.

Since the year that never happened, performing at Edinburgh Fringe has been at the top of my bucket list, and I think the magic of it is, that between thousands of shows, yours might stand out, and that thrills me. Furthermore you get to see a bunch of new theatre all in one place and all in a few days – how often does that happen? (I guess the answer would be once a year and all over the world at theatre festivals multiple times a year, but you know what I mean).

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Depends on when in 2022 we are referring to. At the beginning of 2022, I was recently dumped, 30 years old, living in a flat-share and had next to no income, sure that this would be my life for the rest of my life (because, you know, women’s worth declines after 25 right?), so I was ready to invest in a pet – had I had money for it.

Then, later that year, I met my girlfriend (when we first met, she was just a hinge date – the girlfriend part came later that year), and I fell in love. She did too. We became a couple, and she inspired me to write a story about two women in love, who are not traumatised by being queer, which is – surprise, surprise – the story I’m bringing to Edinburgh this year.

Fast forward to 2023 – I’m only a year older, but no longer live in a flat-share, are thankfully not recently dumped and have a proper income (the last bit is a lie, there’s still not a proper income).
So what I learned, is that you generally have no idea what’s going to happen. And meeting one special person, who inspires you, can take your life to a whole new place – whether that person being a friend, a date, a co-worker or partner.

Tell us about your show.

The show is a half-live, half-virtual interracial lesbian love story between a white and a black immigrant told in a mix of film, visual media and live performance. So, opposite traditional theatre where all the characters are on stage, and opposite the general one-person show, my show is a mix of both, where I’m the only one on stage and the other characters are projected onto a backdrop. Why you may ask? That good question will be answered during the show.

The main team consists of Rasheka, Callista, Vincent and I, and we came together through different platforms.

Vincent, our DOP, and I went to East15 together, and we’ve been creating short films on-and-off since, so when he offered to film the show for me, I was extremely happy to say ‘Yes, please!’.
Rasheka, my director, and I met last year when this show was an 8-minute monologue. I loved her vibe and asked if she wanted to join as director for the full 1-hour performance. So, in other words, she’s really been part of the show from the very beginning.

Callista, my co-producer, I contacted through Young Vics program, and after a chat over coffee, she was keen to help bring this story to life.

We’ve had some work-in-progress and pre-views in London but our premiere will be on 20th August at Edinburgh Fringe. Our goal is to tour the show after Edinburgh and the dream would be to perform this piece again with a proper run in London – and in Denmark where I’m originally from, as I believe this immigrant story is important to share.

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

I’m basically sharing the list of shows I have on my GET-TO-SEE LIST, and it keeps growing, so i do apologise for the shows I think you should see, but don’t currently have on my list.

Paved with Gold and Ashes (another show about immigrants, YES!)

Apple of My Eye (Steve tends to do one-person shows that excel in all its form)

An Evening With the Ladies of The Sutton Coldfield Cliff Richard Fan Club 1995 (Paul is by far one of the most talented performers – although he’s not performing in this, he wrote it – so I have high expectations and he normally lives up to them. He’s also just a bloody lovely human being, that anyone would be lucky to encounter)

INSIDEREN (Anne, who wrote the play, is a talented Danish play writer, that I’ve been fortunate to work with back when I started out. I’m extremely excited to see what she does next!)

Actually, Good (when anyone gets compared to my absolute favourite play writer Duncan MacMillan I’d be stupid not to go see this play by Gillian)

Trojan Women (I’m a history geek and love everything ancient greek – especially with stories from women’s perspectives as they are often missing from history. I’m guttered I’m not in Edinburgh when this is on).

I’m also excited to see a bunch of female-driven and queer theatre!

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