Performer Jenny Foulds tells us about her forthcoming one woman show Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human, coming to the Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Tell us a bit about Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human.
Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human is whirlwind adventure through my brain. It’s a life so far. I tell stories about raving, queerness, friendship and grief all with a backdrop of finding joy in the most unlikely places. It’s an ode to the people I have met along the way and a love letter to the sticky floors that we’ve danced on over the years. Audiences can expect 90’s nostalgia, the kindness of strangers, Jurassic Park, dancing til dawn, losing a parent, New York City, finding best friends and JOY.
Why did you want to make the show?
I lost my dad in July last year and it’s really pushed me to pour more time into the things I love. There’s nothing like losing a parent to make you think about what your doing with your time in this world. I’ve had a colourful life and I’ve been writing stories and spoken word for years so I wanted to pull them together into a piece of work that would bring joy to the audience through nostalgia and big heart stuff.
Who are you working with on it, and how are rehearsals going?
I’m working with the very brilliant Laura Mugridge who is directing. Rehearsals are going well – we’re at the polishing stage at the moment and finding a couple of banging tunes to compliment my words. I’m a performance poet so I’m used to working on my own but as it’s my first solo show I saw the importance of having another eye on it. I’m really enjoying the process of working closely with someone to make it the best it can be.
What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
Laughter, Sweetness and joy through life and loss. I hope that audiences will leave feeling like they’ve seen a show that they can relate to, that there is joy to be found in the most unlikely places when we’re ready for it, even in the face of grief.
What is next for you?
I will be taking this show to Edinburgh Fringe in August (16-27 August (not 21/22 at 1515-1615) at the Banshee Labyrinth, Banqueting Hall on Niddry Street. I also hope to tour it. Other than that I’m working on a collection of poetry that will run alongside this show.
Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human plays Brighton Fringe 24-31 May and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 16-27 August.
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