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Fringe 2018: Q&A with Alice Mary Cooper on Waves

Alice Mary Cooper talks to us about Waves, her one-woman show celebrating women who performed extraordinary feats before being forgotten in the mundane struggle to survive.

How would you describe your show in one sentence?

An inspiring, joyful, funny dip into the life of an incredible person/woman.

Is this a new show or have you performed it elsewhere?

I have performed it around 300 times- from Orkney to New Zealand! But it still feels new every time I perform it.

Is this your first visit to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

This will be my fourth Fringe.

What’s your favourite thing about the Fringe?

It’s a chance to see my fellow performer/maker friends’ shows. I’ve known some friends from Fringes – here and in Australia (where I’m from) for almost ten years – so it’s always great to see them and their new work.

How have you been preparing for the Fringe? How has the show developed/changed since your original idea?

I have been swimming a lot! The show is about swimming and I find, mentally and physically, it helps a lot. I will continue this routine – about 5km a week during a run of performances.

What do you think sets your show apart from all the other Festival offerings?

It’s a story that starts simply but quickly and builds to reveal a whole other world – the world of small island life in Australia in the 30’s. It is genuinely a show for all ages – it’s not unusual for me to perform to an audience that includes wee ones starting school alongside octogenarians.

What’s the show that you don’t want to miss at this year’s Fringe?

Ooh, I haven’t had a proper chance to go through the programme yet, but I’m excited to see Lauren Hendry’s Tetra-Decathlon at Summerhall, Mamoru Iriguchi’s Eaten and to finally see The Man Who Planted Trees, both at the Centre with me.

I also look forward to finding some great surprises – that’s what the Fringe is all about – taking a chance and finding a gem.

If your show was a place in Edinburgh, which place would it be and why?

Well, the show is partly set at the Glenogle baths, so it would have to be there…

There and Portobello – both the baths and the beach.

Waves

Thu 2 – Wed 15 Aug (not 8), 11am (45mins)

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