Performer: Ania Upstill Show: Transhumance Venue Laughing Horse @ The Counting House Time: 11:45am Dates: August 4th – 16th Photographer: Luke Neville Links: Profile and Social Media
Tell me about your 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.
Transhumance is my solo clown show about being a trans person and feeling like neither of the options of ‘female’ or ‘male’ really reflect who I am. It’s not a topic that’s often approached in a playful or joyous way, but that was my goal in creating this show. I hope that by laughing together at the restrictions of the gender binary we can see how arbitrary they are, and create space for people outside of the binar. My favourite review called it ‘a work of joy and playfulness – whimsical, witty and replete with wonder’ and that was the highest compliment I could have received!
Tell me about your previous Edinburgh experiences, or if it’s your first time, tell me about your expectations.
This is my first time! I expect to spend more money than is technically wise, see a truly large number of shows, get occasionally overwhelmed, and generally have an absolutely amazing time.
Who inspires you?
People who do things their own way, who can manage to see past how ‘society’ tells us to behave. All teachers. And anyone who works for a better, more socially just, and equitable world.
How hard was it to get back on stage after the pandemic lockdown?
I haven’t done a solo performance since lockdown, so we’ll see how hard it is! Luckily, I have a London Preview before the Edinburgh season. Getting up on stage in general felt surreal, and it still feels like a miracle every time I get to do it.
Finally, ask and answer a question of your own.
If you could be any type of pie, what type of pie would you be?
That’s a really hard question. As a clown I should probably say some kind of cream pie, but unfortunately, I’m lactose intolerant so, if we’re talking sweet pie, I’d have to say you can’t beat a strawberry and rhubarb pie. If we’re talking savoury, the kumara pie from New Zealand petrol station Zed is honestly very surprisingly good.
