“Collaborating with another artist who truly understands the content and shares the same love, drive and enthusiasm for a project, can take it to new heights that would not be possible with a single vision.”
WHO: Tracey Yarad
WHAT: “An emotionally raw blend of memoir and song, Tracey Yarad’s All These Pretty Things is a phoenix rising from the ashes story, taking the audience from Australia and the fallout of a devastating divorce following her husband’s affair with their teenage goddaughter, to New York City and an inspiring new life. An evocative portrayal of one woman’s capacity to come back stronger than ever, it is an inspirational testament to the human spirit. ‘Beautiful alchemy: breathtakingly honest, gorgeously sung songs on the themes of loss and abandonment, and the restorative power of music and love’ (BroadwayWorld.com).”
WHERE: C ARTS | C venues | C aquila – studio (Venue 21)
WHEN: 17:10 (65 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes, this is my first time to the Edinburgh Fringe, and my first time to the city. Performing at the Fringe is a lofty goal, so to be invited to perform by C Arts Venues is terribly exciting. I have performed at various festivals in Australia, and the atmosphere created by a captive audience whose main goal is to discover new original music is utterly thrilling. Their curiosity and energy is inspiring, especially when they are lining up backstage to talk to you. Looking at the footage, I know that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s eclectic mix of creative performing arts bundled into a full month is going to be electrifying.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
2023 was a great year for my project, ‘All These Pretty Things.’ It was the year my book was finished and printed. I also previewed the show twice in New York City, and played to packed houses in Sydney and nearby Taree. I learned so much about my show through these performances, and developed it further through the critical feedback from those audiences on how the show worked and flowed. I then came back to NYC where I worked briefly with a Broadway coach, then a theatrical director, which ultimately led me back full circle to my editor and co-writer, acclaimed jazz vocalist and former international journalist Tessa Souter, who agreed to work closely with me in her debut as a director. I think we have both learned that collaborating with another artist who truly understands the content and shares the same love, drive and enthusiasm for a project, can take it to new heights that would not be possible with a single vision. We are really looking forward to bringing it to Edinburgh.
Tell us about your show.
The show is about my devastating midlife divorce, answering the question: “What do you do when your husband of 23 years runs off with your teenage goddaughter?” “Neck him!” a young woman said to me today, miming a slit throat. I should have thought of that before. Instead, I dyed my wedding dress black, wrote some songs and made a show. I also moved from a tiny mountain village in Australia to New York City, where I now live in Brooklyn with my border collie, Billie Rae and where I developed the show. I wrote the music, collaborating on some songs with Aussie and Nashville writers, and then wrote a book, collaborating and co-writing additions with the show’s director, Tessa Souter. This latest edition contains brand new songs and monologues and, aside from the three previews at 59E59th theatre in New York, will have its official premier in Edinburgh at the festival. The plan is to take this show to fringe festivals and theatres all over the world.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I am in awe at the number of incredible shows offered at the Fringe, I cannot wait to get around and see what other artists are presenting. Here’s who I have on my list already, if you want to join me after my show: Two Guys, Three Drams: The Ultimate Live Blues and Whisky Experience. Why see this after mine? Because you will need a good whiskey and this kind of raw energy. I’m definitely checking out the show After the Rainbow: A Mystical Music-full Midlife Journey Through Oz, for more inspiration on being here now and following the rainbow. Gorgeous songwriting. And I can’t wait for this one: One in a Chameleon. The Bloody Ballad of Bette Davis. I plan to see Pretty Delusional in New York before I get to Edinburgh. Something about ‘staying sexy in the face of rejection” grabs my attention.
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