EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Agent of Influence

BWW speaks to writer Sarah Sigal and director Jessica Beck about their 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show Agent of Influence.

Tell us a bit about Agent of Influence.

Sarah Sigal: Agent of Influence started as a strand in World Enough and Time, another play commissioned by Fluff Productions that was produced at the Park Theatre in 2014. Becca Dunn and I had collaborated on devising and scripting the character of Pamela and it was clear to both of us that there was enough material to develop her storyline into a one-woman show. As we discovered more about the Abdication Crisis and Britain in the 1930s and 40s, we started to discover parallels between that period in history and issues the country is facing today. We wanted to create a play about what motivates people to become politically active, through a feminist lens, but we also wanted it to be funny, exciting and engaging. S,o we ended up telling a story that's part John le Carré, part Nancy Mitford.

Jessica Beck: It's a spy thriller! You learn a lot about fashion and fascists. I've admired the character of Lady Pamela More for years now and I'm very excited to have an opportunity to work with her finally. As a character she is a force of nature and a hilarious snob. She even has her own twitter account - @undercoverpam!

What have you been up to since last year's Fringe?

Sarah: I've been working on Agent of Influence, as well as a book called Writing in Collaborative Theatre Making that will be published by Palgrave Macmillan later this year. In addition to teaching drama at several different universities, I've also recently taken up the post of Live Performance Programmer at JW3. It's exciting to have the opportunity to make my own work but also teach performance and support the work of other theatre-makers.

Jessica: Since Edinburgh last year, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot by Rebecca Crookshank, which I directed, was nominated for four Broadway World UK awards and embarked on a successful four-month tour around the UK. We've also been working with organisations such as Liberty and UK Says No More to raise awareness about sexual assault and violence against women. Next stop for WTF: New York City for the United Solo Festival.

What else are you hoping to see in Edinburgh?

Jessica: Bubble Revolution, a fairy tale about growing up during and after the fall of communism in Poland, performed by Kasia Lech.

Do you have any advice for anyone making their Fringe debut this year?

Sarah: Always wear a raincoat. Especially if you're flyering. Just in case.

Jessica: Look after yourself. The festival can be such an emotional roller-coaster. Make time to rest and go see other shows and enjoy yourself too. Take reviews with a pinch of salt. Value your audience. Some of the most rewarding moments of being a theatremaker for me have happened speaking to Audience members after the show. So take the time to meet them.

Who would you recommend your show to?

Jessica: Film Noir fans. Brits. Americans. Germans. Everyone really apart from Wallis Simpson fans. Actually they should come too.

Timings and ticket information for Agent Of Influence can be found on the edfringe website.

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