“In 2023, I woman a approached scolded me for having flyers at all (it’s true that they are horrible for our environment), at which point, I told her I didn’t plan on giving it to her, it was merely a visual aid and could I please tell her about our show. She came and loved it!”
WHO: Penny Cole
WHAT: “Intrigue. Betrayal. Unconsummated love. Danger. Step into the world of Elizabeth I as she navigates the stormy waters of late 16th-century England. Ascending the English throne in a vibrant but turbulent time she was a brilliant and canny stateswoman, politician and ruler whose own letters provide a captivating peek into her inner thoughts, desires, heartaches, fears, doubts and joys. Intertwined with speeches from the plays of Shakespeare, the letters of the Virgin Queen paint a unique portrait of this remarkable and complex woman.”
WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Haldane Theatre (Venue 53)
WHEN: 13:55 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is not my first time to Edinburgh. I started bringing students from the University of Colorado in 2001 and have since attended multiple fringe festivals over the years as producer, director and audience member. In 2019 I formed Flying Solo! Presents to promote and support new American work and emerging American artists on the international stage, i.e. Edinburgh, although we also perform in Denver (Colorado is home) and New York. Edfringe is the most inspiring, exciting, mind expanding experience I have ever had, allowing me to learn so much about theatre, performance, and humans. It can also, at times be a soul sucking experience when you are playing to an audience of one, with no reviewers in sight and no one will take your flyer. Those are the times you find out just how resilient you are and how to make a great show for all audiences, no matter the size. As a small company the community we build throughout fringe is truly special. I love talking to other performers and companies about their shows and going to see them. I so appreciate how many of us support each other in a multitude of ways. Every year, I make new friends, have my mind blown by new work, and appreciate our art more and more.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Hoo boy! So many lessons over the years, some still to be integrated! I learned in 2019 I need the help of a publicist! I can write press releases but the daunting task of sending out 100s of them and following up is not my strong suit, and somehow I become tongue tied when pitching my show to reviewers. In 2020 and 2021 I learned how to produce virtual shows, prefer not to do that again any time soon, I live for the live audience interaction. In 2022 I learned what I call focused flyering. Instead of dealing out our flyers like a deck of cards, I engage in conversation, sometimes lengthy talks, with fringe goers from across the globe. I don’t give out a flyer unless someone is honestly interested in us. In 2023, I woman a approached scolded me for having flyers at all (it’s true that they are horrible for our environment), at which point, I told her I didn’t plan on giving it to her, it was merely a visual aid and could I please tell her about our show. She came and loved it! This year I am working on creating more connections with other companies pre-fringe and committing to cross-promoting in unique ways.
Tell us about your show.
Our show is about the Tudor Queen of England who cut off Mary Queen of Scots head, Elizabeth I. Can’t wait to have a Scottish audience! Elizabeth never traveled to Scotland during her lifetime but she had a tremendous influence on the governance of Scotland and the ultimate creation of the United Kingdom. The text, created by Elizabethan scholar, Carole Levin and performer, Tammy Meneghini, is taken directly from Elizabeth I’s letters, hence “In Her Own Words”, as well as from letters from Mary Stuart, Robert Dudley, and the Spanish Ambassador. Elizabeth was a great fan of Shakespeare so many speeches from his plays are interwoven into the text as well. It is a unique window into the Elizabeth the woman as well as the Queen that I think will surprise you. The script was originally created to celebrate a traveling exhibit of the first Folio. The play toured in 2019 as a two-hander. It has been revised as a solo show which previewed at the Denver Fringe this June and after further revisions will preview for 2 performances in New York before we land in Edinburgh. While in Edinburgh we are going to begin the process of creating a companion piece about Mary Queen of Scots, to ultimately play in rep with Elizabeth I in the future.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
So many!! I have really eclectic tastes and will be seeing dance, music, and circus as well as theatre. Here are just a few highlights:
Recent Cutbacks is producing Hold Onto Your Butts, a shot by shot parody of Jurassic Park, the movie, performed in 60 minutes by two actors and a Foley artist. I had the pleasure of seeing the company in NY years ago and thought then their work was a perfect fit with Edfringe. This is their first year in Edinburgh and you’ll love them, they are so talented and funny!
Square Product Theatre based in Boulder, Colorado is also coming to the fringe for the first time. Their show, Things We Will Miss, is a personal meditation on the climate crisis. Their story telling is non-linear, driven by light, sound, and images creating a powerful and visceral experience. Their work is lyrical, challenging, and thought-provoking. The climate crisis impacts all of us and we must pay attention.
I can’t wait to see June Carter Cash, The Woman, Her Music and Me, produced by Grid Iron (one of my all time favorite companies) and the National Theatre of Scotland. The quality of the work these two companies have produced over the years means I have rarely been disappointed in anything I’ve seen. I also think there are some parallels to be found between Elizabeth and June in that they were daughters of ultra famous fathers who followed in their Dad’s footsteps to emerge as successful leaders/musicians in their own rights.
Banned the Musical by April Alsup Productions, another Colorado based company is a new musical that follows a group of misfits as prepare a new production all the while navigating the divisive narrative around gender norms. Timely topic, new music, and a committed company will make this a must see. I missed their show last year as they performed at the same time we did but this year you’ll see me in their audience at last.
Come and find me in front of theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, everyday but Sundays, at 1:00 pm (13:00) and tell me about your show, I’d love to see it, seriously!
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