Had a nice catch up with Alessia Siniscalchi to find out about the intriguing play Garden Party- Truman Capote‘s Black and White Celebration which is going to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

Where did the inspiration or ideas come from for your show/production?

The show is inspired by Truman Capote’s legendary 1966 Black & White Ball—an extravagant, deeply theatrical celebration that in my imagination blurred the lines between high society and outsider art. We imagined what would happen if Capote invited not only stars and socialites, but also the ghosts of his own fears and fantasies. It’s a surreal party where glamour meets inner darkness.and reality mingles with fiction. 

How do you deal with stage nerves before each performance, if you have them?

Nerves are part of the ritual. I embrace them with breath work, an espresso ( I am neapolitan) , and  having a laugh with the cast—then I step into the chaos. Capote loved conflicts so if necessary I use nerves to create more in depth experience  in the work.

Where are you staying during the Fringe? Did you find accommodation quite easily?

We’re in a campus just outside the city centre. It wasn’t easy—everything gets booked so fast—but we found something just in time, and it’s turned into a kind of a solution even if I find prices ridiculous and against my philosophy of art that should be a social exchange with the community.

What obstacles have you faced preparing for the Edinburgh Fringe this year?

Balancing logistics, budgets, and creative energy across an international cast has been intense. Adapting a show to a crazy short slot and being technically limited compared to what this show will become in the future. We’re coming from France and Italy, so aligning everyone’s schedules, rehearsals, and travel wasn’t easy—but that’s also part of the adventure.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Staging an nuit Blanche in the centre of Paris in an old church and old mayoral house, or staging shows in in archeological sites in Naples with an audience seated among ruins, and haunting live music. Art and real life completely collapsed into each other.

Why did you decide on the venue you are using?

The Space @ Symposium has a raw, intimate feel—perfect for creating the atmosphere of Capote’s celebration. It allows us to blur the boundaries between stage and spectator even in a small space.

In one sentence, why should someone come to see your show?

It’s not just a performance—it’s a wicked, elegant invitation into a dreamlike celebration of beauty, madness, and identity.

Where are you taking your show next?

We’re planning a French and Italian tour, and are in early talks to bring Garden Party to Avignon Off 2026, but I need to wait what happens in Edinburgh and surprise myself.

Garden Party – Truman Capote’s Black & White Celebration at the Edinburgh Fringe, dated 13/07/2025:

Garden Party – Truman Capote’s Black & White Celebration

The Space @ Symposium (Annexe)

1–9 August 2025 at 16:05

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/garden-party-truman-capote-s-black-and-white-celebration

https://www.facebook.com/Kultursciok/videos/garden-party-edinburgh/1006092661402538/