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 Britt Anderson about their new show Arachne/Athena.
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Arachne / Athena brings the Greek myth of the Goddess of Justice and the first spider to present day. Athena’s book launch is interrupted when she is cursed to cough up spiderwebs, which will keep happening until she reveals her past injustices in the Olympian court system. Audiences can expect to laugh, gasp with surprise and sometimes horror, learn some mythology, and think deeply about what creativity means in their lives.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I’ve always been fascinated by different myths. The Arachne/Athena myth stood out to me because it’s strictly between two confident, powerful women (and no male love interest). They have the weaving contest of the century, and Arachne makes a damning tapestry about the gods, and Athena turned her into a spider. I wondered, how ruthless would Arachne’s tapestry had to have been to result in such an outcome? I had an idea for a Zeus burlesque piece to illustrate it. Then I took three years to create the characters, find their relationship, and craft all the webs!
This show belongs at the Fringe because it speaks to justice, art, and how the two intertwine; these are themes that most people around the world have a relationship to.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
Since the idea for the show originated 6 years ago, it kept evolving over time. I worked on it in the background in between other projects. When you work on a piece over so much time, it changes with you! So the challenge was actually saying “This is finished now.” I’ve still made edits even after last year’s amazing Fringe run, including a title shift. But I think it’s done now!….probably. :)
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
One of the other reasons I was drawn to this story was because it’s about weaving, and I’m an avid crafter! Crochet is my main sport, and I dabble in prop and costume making. The aesthetic of the show is DIY all the way. I want audiences to see how you can make an entire world using common items and a bit of creativity. I use sound (expertly designed by Richie Schiraldi) to deepen the world, and I use a blacklight and colored lighting to make the images pop. The show works best in intimate theatre spaces so the audience can appreciate the homemade aspects.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
“I am the material girl.”
This is a feminine, confident statement that references the show’s musical parodies, humour, and what the two main characters are weaving about!
Arachne/Athena runs at Front Room at Assembly Rooms (Venue 20) from August 17th – 30th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/arachne-athena
