Edinburgh Voices III

"I live 20 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh so it’s just a hop skip and a jump (on a train) away. I shall be thinking like an Olympian - lots of positive energy and smiling, synchronized swimming style. Edinburgh is an amazing showcase, if the audiences come!. There’s a buzz about being part of something so big. I'm hoping to see some great shows and do some good shows myself.

"The Fringe is quite pricey to come to, especially if you are a family, so I want my audiences to get their money's worth. The challenge is to 'keep the ball up' for the whole run and to be brave when there is only one person in the audience. It can happen.

"I’m lucky to be part of 'MADE in Scotland' - a showcase for Scottish theatre so I have the support of Creative Scotland. The only risk for me is making sure the show goes well. I'm lucky financially - all is covered. Phew! Hopefully this will lead to more work and the chance to see a lot of other shows. I haven't done the Fringe since 2002 with Cinderella so it’s good to be back.

"Josephine Bean is a show created around a Victorian Scrapbook and a man who collects seaweed. It’s a love story. I play Dr Patricia Baker (Dr of Scrapology and the founding member of SCRAPS) and I examine the book to discover the story within. Think CSI without any dead bodies. It’s a peep into the past with some surprises, secrets and a little bit of magic.

"The venue is the Edinburgh Book Trust which is down an alley on the Royal Mile, two doors up from the Scottish Storytelling Centre. It’s a great venue and great location. We did White here two years ago so I know the space well. It’s nice having a long run – tiring, yes, but one show a day at 11am is fine. The hardest is when I do a week festival of two shows a day without a break.

"I'll be heading home after each show to see my kids. I don't have to flyer - we are part of the Traverse theatre brochure so they are covering the marketing. I tweet a lot and have a Facebook page. That’s my contribution.

"My first Fringe was 1999 with The Little Red Hen, a show in two shopping bags. I slotted in to a cancellation spot and did a deal so I didn't have to pay any rent. The show was for 2-5 year olds and in those days there wasn't much for that age group. I had mums and their kids coming back again and again – it was great!. Hallelujah for parents who take their kids to the Fringe - pick me, pick me!!"

Credits

As told to Helen Babbs.
The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean plays at Traverse @ Scottish Book Trust until 26 August.

Quotes

"I shall be thinking like an Olympian - lots of positive energy and smiling (synchronized swimming style). Edinburgh is an amazing showcase (if the audiences come!). There’s a buzz about being part of something so big. I'm hoping to see some great shows and do some good shows myself."

Additional Info

Voices is a series of interviews with puppeteers performing at this year’s Fringe. Here Shona Reppe tells us about taking The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean to the festival.

Links

www.edfringe.com/whats-on/childrens-shows/curious-scrapbook-of-josephine-bean
www.shonareppepuppets.co.uk