Leah Shelton is the writer and performer of BATSHIT – a show about female madness, with elements of clowning and cabaret. The play, at the Traverse, is directed by Ursula Martinez.
Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
BATSHIT takes an axe to the lies we are sold about female madness.
It’s inspired by the story of my grandmother Gwen, who was incarcerated and given a cocktail of drugs and shock treatment in 1960s Australia, basically for wanting to leave her husband. Fiercely feminist, the show is an exploration of how gender is weaponised to discredit women by painting us as delusional, irrational, unreliable, hysterical and – my favourite – ‘hormonal’.
It sounds dark I know – but don’t worry – I am a professional idiot / psycho-siren with a love of theatricality, so there’s also false eyelashes, wigs, fashion, glam-horror, fake limbs, pop-psychology and prozac-laden humour.
What makes you laugh?
My friends / artistic collaborators make me laugh. Especially when we are under the pump, shit is going south, and we somehow find a way to laugh at the ridiculousness of this life and the fact that we are busting our guts to create an imaginary world of sweat, tears, smoke & mirrors.
What three words best describe your performance style?
unapologetic subversive ridiculousness
Do you have nerves about going on stage and how do you cope with them.
There’s definitely an influx of adrenaline and anxiety – knowing anything could happen is both thrilling and terrifying. This isn’t my first rodeo, so these days I just try and harness the energy, breathe, focus, and ride the excitement of it.
What’s your idea of a perfect Fringe feast and where will you eat it?
I do love a bit of fine dining – although the vibe for me this Fringe will definitely be more champagne taste on a beer budget! So, I’ll be asking the locals for hot tips on places I can feel a little bit fancy without blowing the budget.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
Having toured this show in Australia, the audience response has been profound – I’ve seen tears, joy, rage, empowerment, hope, and heartbreak for Gwen’s story and those like her.
I really hope people will feel a sense of being seen – many of us have been called unreliable and crazy b*tches in this life, and to feel like you’re not alone in this experience can be really powerful. And, as an activist artist, of course I want people to be moved enough to want to make change in this world in some small way.
When did you first realise you were born to be on stage?
I think the fact that I forced my sisters into putting on shows for the parents, and then signed my name “Leah Shelton – the famous” from an early age were a few dead giveaways! Haha. I’m still working on the famous part.
Why do you think Edinburgh Fringe is so important to performers and artists around the world?
It’s mind-blowing how many artists and shows are all gathered here in this small city, all at once. There’s something potent and powerful about this sense of community and gathering, being able to experience so many different artistic perspectives in this condensed space. Can’t wait to get amongst it!
How do you plan to relax and enjoy the city when you’re not performing.
I want to spend some time learning more about the history of the intense witch hunts that took place in this city. So you know, just relax by getting angry about the mass burnings and drownings of women. That’s what us rage-fueled feminists like to do, ya know?
Who is your showbiz idol and why.
My art-wife and bestie Lisa Fa’alafi is my showbiz idol!
You may know of her as the Co-creator and Director of the smash hit Hot Brown Honey.
I am so honoured to make work with Lisa and I love being shouty zero-f*cks aunties together, scheming and dreaming new ways towards intersectionality, decolonisation and collective liberation.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
OMG that’s a hard question. To be honest I’m just focussed on surviving..!
But, it’ll probably be the small moments – the random conversation with a stranger, the pure satisfaction of seeing a brilliant performance, the sun coming out after days of schlepping through the rain, or an unexpected wild moment on a dancefloor. Here’s to a bit of all of that this month!
BATSHIT, 15:30, Traverse 2, Until August 25
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/batshit
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