Ahead of the Lambeth Fringe I have caught up with Camilla Borges to find out more about her show Be Not Afraid! Which is on the 25th September at 7pm at the Effra Social.
What was the inspiration behind your show?
For the past few years, I have been floating a theory that who you played in your School Nativity foreshadows what you will be as an adult. In my Nativity, I was Mary, so I have obviously grown up to be the mother of God. Not quite. Playing Mary was very formative for me, as I remember being, at least for one afternoon, the most important person in the world. Instead of life continuing to live up to this it has… not. The show explores what can happen when someone who promises themselves the world, doesn’t quite get it.
How long has your production been in progress?
Such a long time really. I was rush writing sketches for a show a year and a half ago and panic wrote a scene centred around the Nativity and performed it the next day. It was the highlight of the show and I started having so many ideas about where it could go, and just haven’t stopped developing it since then. I performed a WIP of this show at the 2024 Edinburgh fringe and am hoping to perform it in full in Edinburgh next year.
Where are planning on taking the play next?
I want to take the show to the Edinburgh fringe in 2026, also Leicester, Brighton, anywhere that will take it. I would eventually love to tour it around the country if that is possible.
What would you like audiences to take away from your show?
This may seem obvious, but the audience at my show are the most important people, honestly, I make them do so much, and I love them so much. I guess I want audiences to connect with their inner child, however cringe that sounds. Just how good it is to be silly. Silliness. Silliness is my religion.
What are you looking forward to most about performing your show? Why did you choose your particular Fringe venue?
My show is so much about connecting with people, so I am excited to perform the show and connect with as many people as I possibly can. I love the history of the Effra Social, I love a working mans club and think it will be very cool to perform there. I also don’t live too far away so I love a low travel time.
Which shows at the Fringe are you planning on watching?
So many! Currently I’m hoping to see Roger Prick: The Book Tour, Cameron Sinclair Harris: That’s Me in the Corner, That’s me in the Spotlight Cameron Sinclair Harris, and also anything Comedy Bandits put on, they’re always a great night. Any WIPs will attract me, I love seeing people working on shows.
Have you had any major hurdles to overcome to get this production on the stage?
Mostly myself. Also, I guess the lack of opportunities and funding for artists in the country at the moment. And the cost of living. But very much mostly myself.
What other productions have you previously been involved with?
I have taken three other shows to the Edinburgh fringe- The Iceberg Effect, Vibe Shift and More of a Comment Than a Question.
For more information about Be Not Afraid! Playing on 25th September at 7pm at the Effra Social, please use the link below.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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