The Edinburgh Fringe is almost upon us and to get prepared for another Scottish summer Read About Stuff is running a ‘Five From The Fringe’ interview series, where creative teams answer five questions about their upcoming Festival shows.
In this interview, I chat to Tristan Wolfe about their new show Ghost Songs To Die For With Madame Isolde.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Ghost Songs To Die For with Madame Isolde is a new show about the haunted history of Brighton and Sussex. Madame Isolde is a glamorous 1930s medium who accidentally became the only ghost she ever summoned and has returned, conveniently in time for the Fringe, to share some ghost stories with audiences by turning them into original songs.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I was haunted by a ghost. Well, I didn’t know that until I was told there was a ghost where I was staying. It woke me up, and the obviously sensible thing to do was write a song about it. Then, by sheer chance, I sat next to a book in Hove Library about local ghost stories. One song became two, and I suddenly thought, “Why not make a whole show about ghosts?” From there I started researching more haunted histories from Brighton and Sussex, and Ghost Songs To Die For was born.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
Finding the right character was probably the biggest challenge. I wanted someone who could bring another spooky dimension to the show, and that’s where Madame Isolde appeared. She’s a glamorous 1930s spirit medium who accidentally became the only ghost she ever summoned, so she’s uniquely qualified to tell ghost stories. She’s been fascinating to develop because she’s wonderfully eccentric, completely committed to the spirit world, and, well… she’s a ghost herself, so naturally she thinks being ghosted is hilarious.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
Although Madame Isolde likes to be funny, she still presents the stories and songs with a certain amount of respect and decorum, exactly as she would have during one of her séances back in the day. Her vintage clothing and 1930s look help transport the audience into her strange little world from the moment they arrive.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
The phrase I’d use for the show is “Musical séance”. Not because the audience are taking part in a séance, but, in her own weird way, Madame Isolde is convinced they are. It’s a celebration of folklore, original songs and ghost stories, wrapped up in an hour of comedy and theatrical imagination.
Ghost Songs To Die For With Madame Isolde runs at Just The Cask Room at Just The Tonic at The Mash House (Venue 288) from August 6th – 17th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ghost-songs-to-die-for-with-madame-isolde
