EDINBURGH 2023: Katy Berry Q&A

BWW caught up with Katy Berry to chat about bringing Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy.

DGCP is glimpse into the slapstick disco ball of my brain. It's a hybrid of stand-up, storytelling, cabaret, musical improv, and immersive theater, but it's all sewn together into one cohesive narrative. The premise is that I've discovered my real dad is Poseidon, the Sea King, and I am the product of a saucy one-night stand. I'm a bit miffed because I grew up as a hairy weirdo who was teased a lot, but it turns out I wasn't weird, I was just a demi-Goddess. If only I had known!

Throughout the show I tell awkward true stories of times that I wish I had known I was a Goddess, and I conduct a series of spells to help the audience unleash their own repressed power. By the end of the show, I am ready to relinquish my human side forever and ascend to full Goddess status, but I have a pesky interloper - Billy Joel - who keeps trying to dissuade me from my plans. 

Why did you want to make this show?

I wanted a show that let me flex all the skills I've acquired from more than ten years of doing comedy. It's very much a 'look what I can do' situation. I've identified and honed my comedic voice, it's unique, it's mine. Now I am taking it out for a spin. I'm used to performing in ensembles so it's an exciting moment to connect more directly with audiences. I also think I have something meaningful to say. I don't think anyone should thrust their internal monologue on paying customers if they don't have something coherent and valuable to share. My show is about turning down other people's noise and learning to hear and trust our own divine instincts. It's something I believe in and wanted to share with audiences in the best way I know how: butt jokes. 

Where might we have seen you before?

Chances are you've seen me perform in either Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, or Thrones! the Parody Musical. I've been to the fringe three times before with BWC so you've probably heard me freestyle rap about my bowels at some point or another. I'm so sorry. 

 

Who would you like to come and see it?

The show is about giving yourself permission to change and take up space at any moment. It is a big, goofy, heartfelt celebration of authenticity. Who would I like to see it? Everyone. Young people who are finding their voices, adults who feel dead inside, people on the precipice of a life change, people who love musicals, people who need a hug, people who've lived in small towns, people who are hard on themselves, people who need a boost of inspiration. Listen, I am so very critical of myself. I would not bring a show to fringe if I didn't know that you were going to be entertained and surprised for the entire hour. And the themes I talk about, while through the lens of a cis-woman, are universal. Everyone has felt like an outsider at some point, and this show invites the outsiders to come revel with me in a safe space. 

What would you like audiences to take away from it?

I hope one person watches the show and feels seen. Maybe even a tiny bit called out, but in a good way. In one of my stories, I talk about the years I spent diminishing myself and seeking validation from others. I disregarded my own instincts to follow other people's advice, and it wasn't worth it. Phyllis Diller once said not to take other people's advice, especially if you have a dream. "If they knew what to do, theyd be doing it." I think that's golden. If just one individual watches my show and it serves as the nudge they need to trust their gut and do what makes them happy, whether it's dumping a lame partner or just wearing a crazy pair of pants, I hope they do it. We're all very trained to check-in and make sure we don't stand out, to see what the rest of the crowd is doing first. It's a trap!

Katy Berry’s debut show ‘Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy’ is at Just The Tonic @ The Mash House – Bottle Room  at 2.10pm from 3rd – 27th August (not 14th & 22nd) for tickets go to www.edfringe.com

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