“Using verbatim, the show and the students voices are built from real queer-experiences that I sourced in making the show.”
WHO: Helen Iley
WHAT: “Meet Miss Elliot – your favourite primary school teacher. Learning objective: how to understand the term baby gay. Incorporating real-life perspectives and voices from the queer community, misSfits focuses on the voices of the “baby gays” and how after coming out they must try to navigate this new community in which they still feel alien to themselves. Through the eyes of Miss Elliot and primary school nostalgia, misSfits transports us into that familiar classroom as past students find their true selves. All whilst Miss Elliot reminisces and reflects on their own sense of identity and self.”
WHERE: Studio at theSpaceTriplex (Venue 38)
WHEN: 12:10 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
First time! The company I have now taken over, Bullet Theatre, did come in 2018 but personally and with my other company ‘hileyproductive’ I have never been. Edinburgh Fringe is such a hybrid of activity but also a space to just be open and explore your work and there is an audience for everyone and everything which I love.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
To be bold and just go for it.
Last year I went as a punter and set it as a challenge to bring something this year. The fact that I am also going to perform and bring these tales of baby gays to Edinburgh is something I never imagined I would be doing. Let’s go for it!
Tell us about your show.
WELCOME TO THE CLASSROOM – Miss Elliot: Year 6.
My show follows a teacher, Miss Elliot, who reminiscences on the previous students that have come through her classroom. Learning Objective: To Understand the term Baby Gay. Using verbatim, the show and the students voices are built from real queer-experiences that I sourced in making the show. I showed it once at ‘A Pinch of Vault’s’ with a wonderful actor, Rhi Bell, which I directed but now (partly for budget reasons but also self exploration) I am performing it. I recently came out as they/them and so this show feels especially important for me to do.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
A wonderful performer, CURLY is going to be on just after my run at the show. A similar, queer act of becoming but they are a wonderful musician as well and have some fantastic musical numbers. I do have some sing-along assembly songs on my old school projector but nothing like this so definitely check them out!
Queer Folks Tales sounds brilliant too on the 6th August.
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