“As a producer, and particularly as a solo performer, the whole experience rests on your shoulders- mine are pretty weak and I’m allergic to flyering so that’s a balance I desire, but haven’t achieved yet!”
WHO: Caroline Burns Cooke
WHAT: “Gruoch is a feminist, myth-centred examination of the bereaved and abused girl who became Lady Macbeth as an act of revenge for the death of her father. She did indeed manipulate Macbeth to kill Duncan, but not through vaulting ambition… this “icon of evil” may be the power behind the throne, but as the only woman left alive, her power is used to avenge. A new solo performance, written by David Calcutt and performed by award-winning actor Caroline Burns Cooke.”
WHERE: Hill Street Theatre – Dunedin Theatre (Venue 117)
WHEN: 15:30 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is probably my 20th time at the fringe as a performer, fourth as solo performer; add another dozen as audience. It can be both an amazing, and daunting, experience in both guises but ultimately I still feel if you haven’t done the show in Edinburgh, you haven’t really done the show!
Going as an audience is obviously a lot less stressful but the angst of missing out makes it unbearable too, so I’m hoping to achieve a bit of both this year. As a producer, and particularly as a solo performer, the whole experience rests on your shoulders- mine are pretty weak and I’m allergic to flyering so that’s a balance I desire, but haven’t achieved yet!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
This is my fourth self-produced solo show after And the Rope Still Tugging Her Feet; 2016, Proxy; 2018, Testament of Yootha; 2019. So my main learning is how to take care of myself over a whole fringe. Previously I’ve done that by booking a well known venue, an early slot- by midday- so I can relax for the rest of the day, and hiring a flyerer.
This is my first year back post the pandemic, breast cancer and COPD, with a show written not by me, but for me by the amazing David Calcutt, and I’m doing seven shows in the smaller but beautifully formed Hill Street 41 from the 12th-18th at 3.30. A little late for me, but I’ll cope. And they’ve got a flyering team!
Tell us about your show.
My two first solo shows were written by me and directed by Colin Watkeys who, among other great solo performers, has worked with Ken Campbell, Claire Dowie and Jack Klaff. These were under the auspices of Face to Face, his company. My third show was directed by Mark Farrelly and I went under my own company name, Burns Unit.
I worked as an actor on David Calcutt’s Descent for The Midland’s Actors Company and he wrote this amazing feminist reclaiming of the real Lady MacBeth for me. Ill health held up the process, but Colin agreed to direct again-he prefers to work on performer’s own scripts- as he thinks the script could have been written by me as it encompasses my passions and themes completely! So here we are. I did script in hand performances at Prague and Dundee Fringes in 2023, and premiered with Sweet Venues in Brighton Fringe this year. Buxton next, in July, then one week in Edinburgh. Then it will be a Real Play!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
You must see Ada Campe’s Big Duck Energy at the Stand. She is the amazing creation of Naomi Paxton and I swear I wasn’t keen on character comedy before I fell in Love with Ada, who is so much more than that. Treat yourself!
Also the never to be missed Sarah-Louise Young, both in the sublime An Evening Without Kate Bush-again, never see shows more than once, seen in THREE times. Brilliant, moving and what a voice! Assembly, I think! Also, I’ll be Your Tribute at the Voodoo Rooms, which I just saw in preview. Such a lovely, non scarily, interactive show with ALL your favourite tunes.
I missed Lubna Kerr’s Tick Box, so I am NOT missing Chatterbox at The Pleasance. If it’s anything like her, it’s warm, wonderful, Scottish/Pakistani comedy storytelling. What more could you want?
And last but not etc the fabulous Lottie Walker/Blue Fire TC- a big hit with Marie Lloyd stole my life now wowing NY with Chopped Liver and Unions telling the story of Sara Wesker with song and aplomb. Greenside, and the brilliant Mary Bourke at the Stand, amazing incisive stand up, all delivered with a deceptively soft Irish purr…
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