1st – 31st July 2019
Welcome to our coverage of Greater Manchester Fringe. This is a wonderful, outreach Fringe, unique in the fringe world.
Essential Links
Visit the fringe web site
Find out what’s on
Find a venue
Book tickets
Engage with Greater Manchester Fringe on Social Media…
Our Recommendations at Greater Manchester Fringe
I want to see…
… a monologue delivered by a retired police officer. Then see Without Malice or Ill Will
… two short plays. Then see 25/The Decriminalisation Monologues
… some clown/physical theatre. Then see 2 Clowns 1 Cup
… so,me spoken word – a tale about “growing up of a queer black girl living in America”. Then see Black, And…
… some site-specific theatre. Then see The Suitcase, The Beggar & The Wind
… a solo hit from Brighton Fringe. Then see 10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew
… a romantic comedy. Then see A Touch of Magic
… a stand up/storytelling show about unconditional love, anxiety, canine pee and being a wolf. Then see Juliet Meyers: This Flipping Rescue Dog has Ruined My Life
… some storytelling theatre for children. Then see The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen
… a play from an award-winning writer. Then see A Quick Guide to Ruining your Life
… some theatre. a contemporary love story. Then see all the bens
… some locally grown improv comedy. Then see Japesh*t
… a radical adaptation of Shakespeare. Then see Shrew
…a semi-autobiographical one-woman play about the power of the past. Then see Best Girl
… some bizarre secret comedy. Then see Thespianage’s Secret Comedy Shindig
… a show using film, physical theatre and music that takes the audience on a journey through decades of bad science. Then see Men Chase Women Choose
… a new comedy musical. Then see How to Use a Washing Machine
… a musical comedy show dealing with the inconsequential irks of modern living. Then see 99 (First World) Problems Ft. Andy Quirk and Anna J
We’ll be adding more recommendations during the Fringe.
Greater Manchester Fringe Link Collage
Our visual way to find a show to see at the Fringe. Click on an image that draws you, follow up, read more and get booking…
We’ll be adding more recommendations during the Fringe.
Greater Manchester Fringe Keyword Chaos
Fringe programmes are full of words. Here, our unique show-finding tool is the result of our trawl of the fringe programme, where we have found intriguing and inspiring phrases from show blurbs. Use your intuition and click on the phrases or sentence that draws you in…
We’ll be adding more recommendations during the Fringe.
INTERVIEW
Anita Giovannini talks about Anita Luna THE DIVA
What’s the theme of the show?
She is The Diva with super powers. She can do everything: she can act, sing, dance.
She is an acrobat. She is a Mentalist: she can move objects and people using solely the power of her mind.
This is a voyage of transformation: from vulnerable tomboy, who everyone made fun of, to becoming the greatest DIVA of all time. This is a story about inner conflict, fighting to fit in and even not to, trapped in a world of stereotypes. In choosing to be different and becoming her alter-ego, Anita Luna the Divine Feminine, she saves herself, maintaining her authenticity, and in turn hopes to encourage others to embrace one’s spiritual concoction of being both divine and human.
The show has travelled to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, Brazil and Rome. This is Anita Luna’s premiere in the UK and she is scheduled to perform in New York (United Solo) later this year.
Written by and starring Anita Giovannini. Co-written and directed by Jango Edwards.
What is new and different about it?
Anita Luna THE DIVA has a unique mix of theatre, clown, dance, singing, tragedy and comedy. Like life, every show is different and unique; she shares her vulnerability with irony on stage, baring her emotions and soul.
The show celebrates life and the joy of being who you really are. It’s about being a human-being who is not scared of being ridiculous doing what he/she wants. Anita Luna is a brave character, who isn’t afraid of not being perfect, breaking the same stereotypes roles that society tries to put us in. She’s a real super hero, a pop gladiator; she’s open, vulnerable out in the arena of life but never a victim.
The show is about embracing diversity and weirdness in their community; nobody is different really because each person is different actually.
How have you experimented or taken risks with your work?
From the beginning, my approach to artistic growth is to always take risks, to be outside my comfort zone. I immediately understood that it was the only way for me to grow.
I have always tried to do new and different things, not just focusing on what I am good at. (In fact I have done many different types of theatres – classic, Shakespeare, contemporary, experimental, comedy, clown, theatre circus.)
When I had the chance to attend circus school, it was tough at the beginning. Most people are only focused on perfection and doing something just to impress others. What’s more important for me is to find my own breath, my own flow and style; it may not always be perfect but it’s with personality – it’s about authenticity and about being human.
The same when I take the chance to perform in English. I know my English isn’t perfect but it’s a plus point for me because it’s more risky but way more interesting because my accent and my speaking style highlights my uniqueness.
Like everyone, I am afraid of not being perfect and being judged. But with my art,
I want to overcome my fears, to help myself and others to embrace the imperfection.
How did your show come into being?
In 2014, I was working on my trilogy, in the role of actress, writer and director; the first two were adaptations of the works of Tonino Guerra and Antonio Tabucchi, two famous Italian writers. The third was my first one-woman show “Leap into the Void”. At about the same time, I met Jango Edwards in Paris when I went for his masterclass in clowning; he saw the potential in me and encouraged the development of my one-woman show. This started our collaboration, evolving Leap into the Void to Anita Luna THE DIVA ; we worked on this show for 3 years, presenting parts of the show and then six previews of the whole show in different arenas (theatres, pubs, cabarets, festivals) in Europe and Brazil. In 2016, we premiered the full show in the Teatro Furio Camillo, Rome.
What is your take on the world right now?
Superficially, you can think there’s still this search for perfection but I think we are almost at the end of this homogenisation.
We are becoming more aware that if we put our attention only on things external to us, we will lose the sense of life, our inner personal growth.
Everyday I work towards this goal, working on myself, to become a better human being. I practice transcendental meditation and yoga everyday.
By having your own personal path and not continually making a comparison to others, you can be happy.
Happiness is always underestimated; this is weird as we are only here for a second on Earth.
As Aristotle quotes, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”. We should remember this more.
The simplest things are often the most difficult.
Why are you bringing your show to the Fringe this year?
I have always liked Fringe festivals because of its concept , a big chance for outsiders to be seen in a new arena.
I waited until now to propose my show, because when you propose your show, your soul is totally naked up there.
I needed the time to get stronger and be ready for this. And now, I’m ready !
Describe one of your rehearsals.
What makes this show special is Anita’s emotional link with the audience; the connection is profound, a sharing of feelings in situations that most people have experienced and can relate to. It’s all about love and acceptance. Be it in a rehearsal or a live show, it’s always a shamanic experience, a ritual with the Luna (moon). ART comes from the heART.
Who inspires you most, and why?
I am inspired by many in life, there is always something to learn from others. If I have to mention some :
Pippo Delbono. Artists are often focused on using pain to bring creativity. In part, this is true but in part, it’s too much of a cliché. What’s amazing about Pippo Delbono is his ability to focus on joy and not pain, in his work; he’s like a lotus flower, able to flourish in mud. In his works, he is able to transmit loss in a profound and delicate way; not focussing on the shortness of life, but appreciating the NOW, being alive and giving value to being different.
This is the same approach I choose in my heART and ART.
Freddie Mercury. He always sings from his heart, he’s immortal. On stage, he’s the performer. I have a tattoo of him, he gives me strength.
Alan Cumming. I saw him perform in Cabaret, in New York, it was an enlightening moment.
Last but not least, I want to mention the director of my show, the king of clowns Jango Edwards; he put his faith in me and he let me see my real potential.
What can the audience expect?
Anita Luna THE DIVA has a unique mix of theatre, clown, dance, singing, tragedy and comedy. Like life, every show is different and unique; she shares her vulnerability with irony on stage, baring her emotions and soul.
The show celebrates life and the joy of being who you really are. It’s about being a human-being who is not scared of being ridiculous doing what he/she wants. Anita Luna is a brave character, who isn’t afraid of not being perfect, breaking the same stereotypes roles that society tries to put us in. She’s a real super hero, a pop gladiator; she’s open, vulnerable out in the arena of life but never a victim.
The show is about embracing diversity and weirdness in their community; nobody is different really because each person is different actually.
Your show listing details: Greater Manchester Fringe : 2 July 2019, 7pm @ Lock 91
https://manchesterfringe.
Camden Fringe : 6 August, 6pm; 7 August, 7.30pm; 8 August, 9pm @ Hen & Chickens https://cam.tickets.red61.com/
We’ll be updating this page in the run up to, and throughout the Fringe.
