EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Annie Siddons

BWW speaks to Annie Siddons about her 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show How (Not) To Live In Suburbia.

Tell us about How Not To Live In Suburbia.

It's a show with films, written by me, and the films are made by Richard de Domenici. It has me in it, and another performer called Adam Robertson. It's about loneliness, and suburbia as a real and metaphorical place. It's my second show as a writer performer and my first autobiographical show.

Is it hard to perform something so personal?

Good question. Well.... ummmmmmm...there were some points during the writing and filming that were a bit hard, as I had to re-create some somewhat dark moments of my life. BUT doing the show itself is not hard. Doing the show is in itself a joyous two fingers up to loneliness, as theatre is fundamentally about collaboration and connection. Also the show is really enjoyable to perform. And my team comprises several human beings who are OK to be around. And also the show is not naturalism. It's surreal and playful and, we hope, hilarious. And contains hope. So, yes and no.

Who would you recommend comes to see your show?

Another good question. People who like writing/spoken word, performance and film. People who like honest shows that are funny and dark. People who are fans of Richard's work, or my work. People who are lonely, or know someone who is. People who are displaced from themselves or exiled from their communities. People with big responsibilities. People who are free at 4:50pm and can get to Summerhall. People who lost their tickets for another show at 4:50pm and need something to do for 70 minutes before their next show. I should say that this is a show for adults.

What advice would you give to a performer making their Edinburgh debut?

See everything at Summerhall. Expect some days where nothing makes sense and you look at online courses on how to be a podiatrist. Eat your greens. Go to the sea. Take the reviews lightly, the good and the bad. Try and sleep occasionally. Ignore all advice.

Are there any other performances you're hoping to catch in Edinburgh?

YES of course. Forest Fringe, the programme at Summerhall - can't wait to see what the Big in Belgium crew have been up to - the programme at the Pleasance, some stuff at Underbelly, and lots of surprises. The surprises are the best. I want to see stuff in performance that I don't do, so lots of physical, visual stuff. People who can do extraordinary things with their bodies. And actual comedy. And people who can sing. If I could sing and dance properly, I wouldn't do anything else.

Timings and ticket information for How (Not) To Live In Suburbia are available on the edfringe website.

Photo credit: Claire Nolan

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