“There’s an old Hewlett Packard report that cites men will often apply for jobs they’re only 60% qualified for, whereas women will only apply for jobs they’re 100% qualified for; I’ve certainly found myself contributing to this statistic.”
WHO: Brooklyn Boukather
WHAT: “What if you could build the perfect partner from scratch? When Lauren’s husband dies, the young widow stumbles upon an unsettling solution to her loneliness – one that involves moulding someone to her exact specifications. But as her desires grow increasingly specific and strange, the facade starts crumbling. Inspired by the absurd humour of Yorgos Lanthimos and the power games of Harold Pinter, Strangewife is a darkly comic two-hander exploring identity, power and love in a world where every aspect of our lives is under threat of commodification.”
WHERE: Front Room at Assembly Rooms (Venue 20)
WHEN: 19:45 (65 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is not my first time to the city, but it IS my first time at the Fringe. I’ve grown up in performance spaces, so the idea of Edinburgh Fringe has always been present in my mind – almost as this radical, larger-than-life hub where everything artistic must pass through. The lore around it might be bigger than the Festival itself, but I’m eager to see for myself. I’m honoured to be jumping right into the deep end as both a performer and producer of my company’s debut production, Strangewife. Though I’m classically trained as a theatre actor, this is my first time producing (anything, ever!) so it’s been an enormous learning curve. Luckily, I’m working with a trusted and proactive team, we have Storytelling PR handling our press and marketing, and we’ve been working in collaboration with Soho Theatre Labs; altogether, this is possibly the smoothest introduction to producing an artist could have. As an actor, I’ve never performed at a Festival – let alone one as chaotic and prolific as Fringe – so I’m bracing myself to be challenged creatively, physically, and emotionally.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
For me, the past couple years have been consistent growing pains. My mother passed in 2022, and as life threatened to continue on without me, I realised that it’s essential for me to do things without waiting for the moment to be right because I knew nothing would feel right for a very long time. This philosophy – of jumping before you’re ready – led me to earn my Masters degree in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media (despite never writing professionally before) at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Here, in 2024, I was presented another life lesson: do things even if you think you’re unqualified. There’s an old Hewlett Packard report that cites men will often apply for jobs they’re only 60% qualified for, whereas women will only apply for jobs they’re 100% qualified for; I’ve certainly found myself contributing to this statistic, especially as someone who already feels out of my depth in a new field. I was hesitant to take action with creating my own work until my company co-founders both suggested what I had privately been dreaming of – taking a show to the Fringe. As I navigate producing Strangewife, I find myself applying this lesson with every unfamiliar task and new fire to put out. It would be bold to say yet if it’s been fully absorbed, but we’ll see how I feel post-Fringe.
Tell us about your show.
Strangewife follows one grieving woman’s quest to satiate her needs after the death of her husband. The actor who arrives to play the part of companion is a seemingly acceptable stand-in, but as her demands become increasingly disturbing, they both must decide what they’re willing to endure for the façade of love. Written by Frazier Bailey, it is a dark, off-kilter
Strangewife is written by Frazier Bailey, produced by and starring myself, Brooklyn Boukather, and Daniel Barney Newton. Together, the three of us comprise Capgras Theatre Company. We met in the Royal Central Masters program and we were immediately drawn to each other. Since the inception of our friendship less than a year ago, it quickly became clear we wanted to make work together, and all three of us were willing to jump into the deep end. Since the moment it was suggested we create a show with the aim of bringing it to Fringe, it’s been a long, winding road of us.
Strangewife will debut at Edinburgh, but we have three London previews at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town (July 21st – 23rd). We are in negotiations with several London venues for a continued run, but we are also very tempted by the possibility of bringing it to New York and expanding our audience and network across the pond.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Through our collaboration with Soho Theatre Labs, I’ve been in the room with a lot of fiercely talented, interesting artists. I would recommend the following: Bairns, a one woman dramedy by Annie Davidson about sisterhood, selfishness, and surrogacy; House Party, Chakira Alin’s one-hour mission to bring back house parties, via a dance party exploring the housing crisis, generational wealth, and the state of Britain today; and Clare Noy’s Funny Though, a stand-up comedy routine about a comedian’s terrible life choices that interrogates how much performers must give of themselves. All these productions are equal parts funny, poignant, and cleverly crafted, and I’d recommend prioritising these pieces in your crazy, Fringe schedules!
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