Tell us about your show.
Jane: The show is called ’Jazz or a Bucket of Blood’ and this may sound unhinged but the title sums it up pretty neatly. It’s a faux-amateur farce, where Jane and Ange compete for what the show should be about. Jane loves rhyming, hopes her friends from Bunnings* will come to the show, and wants the show to be about Jazz (she thinks Jazz is Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’). Ange is brooding, hates touching and would prefer the show to be about a bucket of blood she “found” and has placed on the stage.
Why should we go and see it?
Jane: Because if you don’t you’re a coward. Also because it’s dumb and absurd but also strangely heartfelt and you’ll leave feeling better than when you came in.
What are your hopes and dreams for the Fringe?.
Jane: I want to meet lots of lovely artists. Yes, that feels as nauseating to write as it probably does to read but it’s true so sucked in!
Ange: To transform my mind into an impenetrable fortress.
What makes you laugh?
Jane: My bank account
Ange: The two funniest things this week were blood-related. I watched the new vampire movie Renfield at the cinema this week and so many people had their arms ripped off. Also I got to cover Jane’s little face in fake blood during a photo shoot. My face was clean. This often happens.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why.
Jane: “Genius gremlin filth” – Fringe darling, Victoria Falconer-Pritchard
Ange: Petty female Stoppard.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
Jane: Well they won’t know anything more about Jazz. And they certainly won’t learn much about “what is a baby?” but they might come away feeling like our existence is fleeting and inconsequential and that friendship is important and that donating blood is a great way to make friends and that the Australian hardware chain Bunnings is a cultural institution and isn’t that a relief.
Ange: Blood is just such a versatile substance. It doesn’t have to be “scary”. Blood can also be fun. If you think about it, we’re all full of blood. Blood is everywhere. Water has a great reputation, but blood has, I think, been unfairly maligned. I hope people walk away with a more open mind about that.
What kind of shows – apart from your own – are you looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
Jane: Lots of international artists. We fell in love with Lara Ricote, Leo Reich, Chloe Petts, Rob Orton and Huge Davies when they were over for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Also Patti Harison. Just to name a few.
Ange: Yes and also Anna Piper Scott, Julia Masli, Natalie Palamides, and Siblings.
The cost of living is a big issue this year – will it make this Fringe more challenging?
Jane: Not for us because we’re rich and perfect.
Ange: Yes, I have no money and I’m approaching a point in my life where I’m not not open to selling feet pics.
What do you predict will emerge as the big themes of this year.
Jane: Hopefully there will be lots about the pandemic and how we all went on zoom all the time.
Ange: I think there’ll be a lot of vitriol addressed at capitalism. Also many casual mentions of how we all have ADHD, because we do.
Who is your showbiz idol and why.
Jane: Ange Lavoipierre because she’s the only person who will work with me.
Ange: At the moment it’s Patti Harrison because I didn’t think you could say that on stage. Also Jane Watt because she can deadlift me. For real.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
Jane: It’s approximately 5:30pm. I’m playing cards at ‘The Salt Horse’ with Angela Lavoipierre, waiting for a cheese burger to arrive. It’s our first meal of the day and our 12th game of cards and in this fantasy I’m winning.
Ange: It’s approximately 5:30am. Jane and I have been kicked out of the artist bar for dancing too well and we are standing in line for a crepe at the crepe stand, which is still open, and the sun is rising. Immediately thinking the better of it, the sun fucks off until 2pm. Jane gets crepe all over her face and my face is clean.
Ange Lavoipierre and Jane Watt: Jazz or a Bucket of Blood
20:50
Underbelly
August 2-27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jazz-or-a-bucket-of-blood
Ange Lavoipierre: Your Mother Chucks Rocks and Shells
16:20
Underbelly
August 2-27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ange-lavoipierre-your-mother-chucks-rocks-and-shells
