Séayoncé: The Edinburgh Interviews 2019
Who? Séayoncé
What? Déjà Voodoo
Where? Assembly George Square – The Blue Room (Venue 8)
When? 22:20
What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
I’m really excited to bring Séayoncé back to the Fringe this year, contact some spirits, sing some songs have a hot festival romance. Last year I met so many amazing people I’m excited to reunite with them and meet new people this year, especially because this year there is such an amazing number of queer performers coming up! I’m also a little nervous this year, I am at Assembly in a large venue and there is more pressure and expectations as it’s my second show!
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
Well it’s a comedy cabaret séance run by the legendary Ghost Whisperer Séayoncé. We will contact the dead, read some futures, spirits will take me over, practise a little voodoo, I’ll sing some songs all with a sprinkle of sordid hilarity. This year we focus on our notions of good and evil, the strength we find from our identities and what it’s like to date the Devil. I’m excited to take the Fringe audience to the darkest depths of the spirit world.
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
I think the biggest obstacle is getting past the negative voices in your head when creating. Last year I went into the festival with no ideas or predictions on how well the show would do, and I was incredibly lucky and had a great Fringe and after toured the show to venues and countries I could never have even fathomed I would be in. This year is more stressful because people know about the character and there is more pressure to create a good show, and we all know sequels are the worst obviously not including Sister Act 2.
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
My attitude towards the Fringe has changed but I still see it as an amazing opportunity; it has honestly propelled me forward in my career. But as a sole performer who personally funds everything themselves, it is so expensive and such a struggle to get your show together and perform up there for a month. I wish there were more schemes or that it was cheaper so that it could be more accessible for performers, I speak to so many incredible artists who can’t afford to take shows up.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
There are so many amazing queer performers going up this year with incredible shows. One who I particularly love and am constantly inspired by is Xnthony who is bringing up their show Confirmation to the Pleasance this year. Definitely worth checking out the show, as a performer they are constantly challenging and evolving the queer scene in London and I can’t wait to see the effect they have on the fringe this year.
Where would you like to be in a year’s time?
I would love to be touring Séayoncé around the world, performing to all different types of people who are in need of drag, cabaret and alternative character comedy. I would love to carry on meeting amazing performers and collaborating and being inspired by all the hilarious creatures in the world.