Slade Wolf is taking three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. I have caught up with them to find out more about their plans for this year’s festival.

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

Lexi Says: After Shakespeare – I always wondered what happened to a couple of Shakespeare’s characters after the curtain fell, and after a while it just made sense that I wrote that once I started writing my own thing. Also stretches me as I have to play all the concerned genders in the play, and I love doing that.
Baker Street Ladies – I’ve been a fan of Sherlock Holmes for years – I mean, who isn’t? – but always wanted to know more about the women who permeated his life. I just took the main three we really hear about and stuck myself up onstage as the three of them, as is my wont.

Andrew Says: I’ve always had a passion for history, and since I was young (thanks to my history-teaching father) I’ve felt Richard III was given a rough time, so when I was looking for something to write as my stage come-back, choosing something I was passionate about I figured would help me remember it!  We did a show about Richard III for the Fringe last year, and when we were creating it I had this image of an opening tableau showing Richard in his villainous hunch-back caricature Shakespeare gave us, and for the layers to get stripped away, so that was my starting point for this show – give Richard the chance to refute Shakespeare (and the Tudor’s) unfounded allegations of him.

What do you plan on doing to relax and get some “time out” during the Fringe? 

Lexi: I love theatre myself, so I’ll be taking in as many shows as I can, but I’m under orders to both exercise AND develop a de-stressing routine in my life, so there’s that too.

Andrew: Like Lex, see other shows!  It’s actually a luxury for us this year, as for the last 2 years we’ve stayed just outside of Glasgow, so only being a 10 minute walk this year is quite something for us.  Although that being said, with 3 shows of our own, and both managing chronic health conditions, I have a sneaking suspicion there will be more sleeping and nursing aching joints  than I’m hoping.  Edinburgh is such a fabulous city to just relax in and soak in the atmosphere, you can do almost anything you can think of!

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

Lexi:  Nerves often turn into excitement last minute for me. Also, just saying some of my favourite lines helps. At the end of the day, my shows were written by me, so if I get a word wrong or drop a line or two… There’s only me and Andrew who’ll know!

Andrew: Well, I’m returning to the stage after 7 years away – so there are more nerves than I’d have traditionally, but I usually just use slow, deep, circular breathing techniques – same as I’ve done since I was at school!

Where are you staying during the Fringe?

Andrew: I’m so happy – we’re literally a stones throw from Summerhall.  Fabulous location.

Did you find accommodation quite easily? 

Andrew: Yes – ish!  I wanted to make sure I got in early, so I made my initial enquiries back in October!  There were a few minor speedbumps, and we’ve ended up having to pay quite a bit more than our initial quote, but it’s been sorted since mid March, so plenty of time to find other things to panic over!

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

Lexi: The main obstacles I’ve faced this year have been the unexpected death of my father, which hit me harder than I thought and also meant I haven’t prepared as I would’ve in recent years. I’m trying to be gentle with myself but am currently just hoping to get through all the madness with some good shows under my belt and my sanity intact.

Andrew: Oh my – do you have enough space????  So the first was totally self-inflicted – we decided to push ourselves this year and book 2 theatre spaces and take 3 shows.  As we are just 2 neurodiverse, disabled actors that opened up a whole world of additional costs and issues that I hadn’t totally foreseen. Fringe is seriously expensive, and due to our respective health conditions, we really don’t work much outside of Fringe itself, so cost was the biggest barrier, followed by it becoming essential that we had accommodation within walking distance of our venue so that we could give ourselves as much space and breathing room to ourselves before going to our shows.  We both suffer from over-stimulation which affects our chronic fatigue, so planning our shows and getting spots that enable us to focus and yet have breathing room between shows has been a key part of planning and preparation. Unfortunately even in today’s world, the majority of people really do not understand differences in disabilities and capabilities, and occasionally trying to sort out things that need sorting require jumping through hoops and expectations to do tasks that really are not inclusive. And then, as Lexi mentioned, having her father die just 3 weeks before has created extra complications.

What has been the highlight of your career so far? 

Lexi: I won Best Actress at the Buxton Fringe a few years ago, for this same show. Each year I went, I got nominated but 2021, I finally won. talk about validation for what I do!

Andrew: I could be really corny and say getting to spend the last 7 years making theatre and film with my best friend, and witnessing her continuous talent, but that would just inflate her ego…so…I guess getting to be on Dr Who during the David Tennant era was cool, but in all honesty probably coming here to do this show after all of my health problems over the last few years.  I guess I just feel so lucky to be able to do something I love and (hopefully) get paid for it!

Why did you decide to the Venue you are using? 

Lexi:  theSpace have always been really good to us and get what we’re trying to do, so it was nice and easy to come to an arrangement with them and get great theatre spaces for us.

Andrew: What Lexi said – I mean we’d heard some real horror stories about trying to work with some of the venues here, but Charles and the team at theSpace are fabulous, they make nothing seem like a stupid question, or too difficult – they genuinely seem to want the acts to be happy.  I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.

Favourite and worse thing about performing? 

Lexi: I get to hallucinate vividly onstage in dress-up, and occasionally get paid for the privilege. The only bad thing is when I have to do my own makeup because I am horrific at it.

Andrew: Seeing people being entertained, knowing that for at least the 50 minutes (or however long the show is) I’ve enabled them some release and (mostly, I hope) joy.  Worst thing – how hot it can get under the lights, something people who have never been on stage can ever truly understand.

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

Lexi:After Shakespeare – Come see my show if you’ve even a passing interest or knowledge in Shakespeare, but don’t want to see exactly the same thing again!Baker Street Ladies – If you’ve a thing for Mr. Holmes but presented through the eyes of the women, come see how he shapes and is shaped by those closest to him (wittingly or otherwise)

Andrew: Because it’s not every day you get to argue with Shakespeare, judge a king, and possibly rewrite 500 years of history — all in under an hour!

Name one other show that you plan on seeing at the Fringe? 

Lexi: I’m really looking forward to seeing Becoming Maverick because I am a HUGE fan of Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca and what a wonderful idea to do something as Mrs. Danvers. Can’t wait to see it!

Andrew: I’m with Lexi above, however I’m also looking forward to seeing Mark Simmons (stand-up) and Ben Macpherson Does Poems at Adults – I saw his show last year which was primarily aimed at children (of any age), and his writing, linguistic ability, and delivery is sublime!

Where are you taking your show next?  

Lexi: Last stop for the year is home. Folkestone Fringe in late September for both shows, then hopefully some of my friends will actually be able to see my shows at last.

Andrew: Wow….that’s bizarre, I was about to say that…..

                    ……………….   

Show Title, time and Venue. 

After Shakespeare – 16:15 – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall Theatre 1 (venue 53)

1 King, 2 Princes, & Shakespeare’s Lie – 19:10 – theSpace @ Symposium Annexe (venue 43)

Baker Street Ladies – 19:05 – theSpace @ Symposium Annexe (venue 43)

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/1-king-2-princes-and-shakespeare-s-lie

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/after-shakespeare

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/baker-street-ladies