Claire Sullivan: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018
© Nayt Housman
Who? Claire Sullivan
What? I Wish I Owned A Hotel For Dogs
Where? Gilded Balloon Teviot (venue 14)
When? 22:15
Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?
I have asked so many people, but like, woah!! I can’t quite imagine the size of the beast that is Edinburgh Fringe! This will be my first Edinburgh. And performing EVERY DAY is… fuck me! I’ve never performed the same show 4 weeks straight, you know? I know I have to make sure I eat lots of veggies every day, yoga, meditation, not drink every night. Basically look after my body and mind because it’s a marathon.
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
Well, it’s a show about dogs and feminism, in short. I take the audience on a fast-paced surreal journey through my mind. So like, short stories, sketches, dogs, some absurd observations etc. It’s totally wack, and out of this world (off da leash hehehe).
What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
Hahaha Umm, LEARNING IT. I have actually have a bad memory and making sure I keep every little piece in my head in the correct order, and make it seem effortless… That is actually a huge obstacle for me. I have a hard time learning scripts when I go for auditions, and in my previous shows there’s been some sort of plot, so this happens therefore this etc. But with this show, there isn’t a plot, so I have to remember the bloody order. Other performers are like ‘CLAIRE WTF, it’s not hard to learn your show.’ But, it is for me.
Who would most enjoy your show?
Young women in their twenties and thirties love my show the most. Also members of the queer community seem to love and relate to my show. Which is interesting because although I am a young queer woman, this show does not necessarily touch on that at all! Maybe because it’s easy to make humour out of dating cishet men hahaha.
But really, people who love dogs, who are into the surreal/weird/out there, and who are into feminism and human rights.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
Oh my gosh, yes so many. I’d recommend Two Little Dickheads, The Travelling Sisters, any of the Fringe Wives Club whether in their show or solos, Clara Cupcakes, David McIver, Laura Davis, Alice Fraser, Garry Starr just to start with. But holy hell, you know, go see comedy by people you’ve never heard of. Especially Australian comedy. Australians are making some bloody amazing stuff now.
What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?
I have no idea, But I’m excited to find out!
What are your plans for after the festival?
I’m going to visit a friend in Italy, then going to a friend’s wedding in France and then I’m flying back to Australia in time for Melbourne Fringe. But after Melbourne Fringe I am going to recoup all the money I spent on Edinburgh by working in a pub in a very small coastal town in Tasmania for the summer.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CLAIRE SULLIVAN: ‘I WISH I OWNED A HOTEL FOR DOGS’ HERE