“YES, this is my first time in Edinburgh! I am certainly terrified and have felt the urge to throw up several times today. But more than that, I am rife with excitement.”
WHO: Isabel Renner
WHAT: “Shy people, you there? This hilarious and tender tale follows Shy Girl’s ambitious attempt to open up (emotionally, spiritually, uh… physically) in hopes of expanding her social life beyond the feeble realm of her imaginary friends and finding real human connection. Following sold-out, highly-beloved runs in NYC, Wyld Woman (written/performed by Isabel Renner, directed by Cameron King) is officially joining the ranks of international legendhood. ‘A great triumph over shyness’ and ‘a powerful catharsis for anyone who has ever crossed the street just to avoid someone they know.’ (BroadwayWorld.com).”
WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Drawing Room (Venue 20)
WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is my first time! But I promise I won’t get clingy and text you 82 times a day. I’m not that kind of virgin.
Sorry, that was weird. Starting over.
YES, this is my first time in Edinburgh! I am certainly terrified and have felt the urge to throw up several times today. But more than that, I am rife with excitement – to meet so many other artists, to get inspired by their work, to become dear friends with all of them (oh how I pray). I have never taken part in a festival like this before, but I cannot think of a better place to put on a solo show. It can be quite lonely and vulnerable to be up on stage all by my lonesome, but there are going to be so many people doing the exact same thing. And that pure feeling of camaraderie is all I could ever dream of!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
After some deep thought and honest reflection, I’ve narrowed my lessons of 2023 down to the most impactful ones:
1. If a crush says they don’t like you back, they’re probably not going to change their mind (even if you get a new wardrobe and personality). Have not absorbed. Will keep trying.
2. Best to always wear headphones so people will just think you’re on the phone when you’re talking to yourself on the street (having imaginary arguments, imaginary marriage proposals, etc.). Have absorbed for the most part. Sometimes I still forget to put them on and make a fool of myself.
3. Toothpaste can be a great acne remedy. Have absorbed. Will be bringing extra to Edinburgh (just in case it’s out of stock).
Tell us about your show.
Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl is a solo show, written and performed by Isabel Renner (that’s me, hi), and directed by Cameron King. It tells the story of Shy Girl, profoundly timid but desperate to be cool, as she attempts to open up enough to make actual friends and find an actual boyfriend and lose her actual virginity, as most of her life until now has been limited to the imaginary realm. She wants more than anything to become a “legend” (AKA a very cool person), but her lack of social skills and excess of sexual ineptitude prove to be quite tricky adversaries.
Alongside beautiful and brazen Cameron (and my beautiful/brazen-in-training self), the team is comprised of absolute legends. We have the hottest DJ in all of NYC, “SHAUNIE”, as the perfect antidote to my uh… awkward energy, and the show is produced by Robin Aren and Sheer Figman, two powerful and precious women who teach me how to be an adult. We have spent over a year workshopping the show in different, often bizarre New York venues (including a stint in the basement of a taco restaurant). But we have been dreaming of taking it to the Fringe all along. I am so new to all of this (doing a solo show, going to Edinburgh, having friends), but this team has been lifting me up throughout the entire process. And that is really the whole point of Wyld Woman – to celebrate the most precious treasure on earth: real human connection!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
– Abrasion. A dark comedy (written/starring Meg-Rose Dixon) that highlights the inadequacies that are so frequent in gynecological care. This is so important!
– Barbaren Barbies: A Wild Woman Circus. Wild. Woman. Circus. Need I say more?
– Character Flaw. A solo show legend (Philippa Dawson) joyously and smartly exploring the deeply personal worlds of ADHD and queer identity.
– HYPER. Hyperpop and live vocal modulation and trans identity. Literally see you there.
– Ladies Who Ranch. Epic improv from some LEGEND Brooklyn-based comedians. A friend group I yearn to be a part of. (Us Wyld Women are also Brooklyn-based, so we can hang out in Edinburgh or back home or both please!).
– Maeve Press: Failure Confetti. Another Assembly legend who will be unboxing 17 years worth of special education observation reports written about her. Count me in.
– Main Character Energy. I have heard literally nothing but amazingness about this show and the genius that is Temi Wilkey. So ready to give her all the attention she deeply deserves!
– no no no please no god no, nevermind i’m fine. Life after an LSD trip. Sarina Freda is both hilarious and wise. I’ve met her only once and have already decided she’ll be the maid of honor at my wedding.
– PALS. Friendship? A camping trip? Crude women? Just hoping I can join the crew!
– Serious Theatre from Serious People. As a former acting school student (cult member), I am so looking forward to this one.
– Weather Girl. Billed as “a dizzying rampage into the soul of American strangeness” with talk of wildfires and prosecco. Um yeah… I need this.
– Yoga with Jillian. Your chakras will align themselves from laughter. A Goop-era necessity.
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