How would you describe your show in one sentence?
The name of the show says it all. A bonnie fetcher is someone who stands up for themselves or a cause that they believe in. I was inspired to share songs and stories highlighting women of courage throughout the world and over the centuries. Their lives and how they lived both humble and challenge us to keep on dreaming and stand up for what we believe in, no matter what.
Is this a new show or have you performed it elsewhere?
I wrote the piece in 2015 and have previously performed it at the Edinburgh Book Fringe 2015 at Word Power Books, alongside great talents like Mark Thomas and Janice Galloway; the Scottish Trades Union Council Women’s Conference in Perth; Woodland Creatures in Edinburgh; Verdant Works Museum in Dundee; Theatre Royal Dumfries and a sell-out show for the Audacious Women Festival 2016 at the Storytelling Centre.
It is an international show with Scottish links so I am keen to tour it across Scotland, the UK and abroad.
How many times have you performed at the Fringe before?
I have taken part in many capacities in too many Fringes to count!
Performances include ‘M’lady Malade’ by Zinnie Harris, ‘Out of Boundaries’ by Witch Theatre Company and ‘Heebie Jeebies’ which was a two woman street performance spoof on the commercialisation & stereotyping of Scotland. Directing credits includes ‘The Censor’ by Anthony Neilson and ‘I Vant to Be Alone’ by Ailie Cohen.
What’s your favourite thing about the Fringe?
My favourite thing is its original concept and the fact that in amongst all the commercialisation and the Industry Fair that so much of it has become, it still attracts renegades & dreamers.
What do you think sets your show apart from all the other Festival offerings?
I think it is unique in that I name and thread together the stories of many unknown women from throughout the world and over centuries who have responded to hellis
h circumstances with courage, independent thought & creativity. This has helped others and can continue to inspire by re-telling their lives and actions. Where better to tell their stories than an International Festival set up as a response to war and a Fringe set up to include the excluded?
What’s the show that you don’t want to miss at this year’s Fringe?
Best not to miss Bonnie Fechters – because that’s my show – it’s a one woman show – and if I miss it I am in trouble!!! And I will see as many as I can at the Scottish Storytelling Centre because I love their inclusive, international, warm, open-hearted approach.
If your show was a place in Edinburgh, which place would it be and why?
Oh – that’s tricky – the show features so many people and places from throughout the world – including Edinburgh. It could be the site of the Magdalene – where women and girls were put who had disobeyed society’s rules – more information here in my Scotsman interview from earlier in the year.
Bonnie Fechters – Songs and Stories of Hope and Resistance
Fri 18 – Sat 26 Aug (not 21 – 24)
1.30pm (50mins)
£9 (£7) (£28 family) (£6.50 SCS)
