Edinburgh Fringe 2025
An Ode to the Casting Director
Sophie Fisher
Genre: Solo Performance, Solo Play, Solo Show, Theatre
Venue: Gilded Balloon
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
A one woman show exploring the harsh realities of being an actor along with complicated boyfriends, chasing your dreams and trying to make your parents proud.
Review
This is what the fringe is all about. Being in a small room, with a fan on and nervous energy- awaiting for the performer to stand on stage. A camera is present. Is this being filmed? Sophie Fisher appears from backstage behind the curtain. We wait in anticipation for her first words. From the moment she opens her mouth I know I’m going to find this relatable. She doesn’t have an entitled presence or some trying to exude confidence. Quite the opposite actually. She seems nervous. A little awkward. Is this part of the act?
The best part of being an actor is getting to transform into someone else’s skin. You’re protected from judgment and opinions because; ‘they’re judging the character not me.’ It’s hard however when you are playing a version of you- a fragmented hyperbole of yourself. It’s vulnerable and confusing where the lines of truth blur. It’s not stand up comedy. There’s still a veil of separation from the audience protecting you. However it feels like an uncomfortable trapped veil for Sophie. This is the same uncomfortable veil that all one woman shows must thrive in.
Fisher’s writing is funny. Comedy is the glue holding the show together. She’s not polished but it works. She’s vulnerable. She’s relatable. It’s almost as if she’s reading her diary aloud on stage. It’s impressive to see how far she goes in allowing the audience into her life.
Not only is the show relatable to actors but it is totally accessible to everyone. From those of us who have had awful romantic relationships, to the struggle of trying to impress your parents, while you pursue your dreams, in an impenetrable career world. Fisher is reflective and breaks down what has led her relationships to breaking point. It’s a beautifully done exploration- magnified through humour.
The show explores the realities of being a (sometimes) working actor. The lack of glamour and struggle faced daily. It’s a form of therapy for most actors who are struggling to get on their feet and survive this cruel industry. Dealing with unreliable agents, awkward auditions and working opposite the most painful scene partners. A world filled with insecurity and lack stability; which all feels rather relevant in a time like this.
When Fisher is supposed to be seen in a casting office; a camera holds on her face and is projected on a screen for us all to see. This is cleverly done visual aid to assist with those at the back of the space as well as making you immersed into being in a casting office. It’s a really smart and gorgeous insight into what the casting directors see when they watch you. We begin to feel like the casting directors ourselves- critiquing every movement on screen. The camera cuts off when Fisher ‘leaves’ the casting office, she brings us back to ourselves and humorously comments on the bizarre nature of what she’s experienced.
It should be noted though-if you’re sitting towards the back it’s hard to see her. The screen really helps and keeps you in the loop. When the camera is off; we have to rely quite heavily on Fisher’s voice. This is where I think there is more work needed. The writing is solid, the comedy is well placed; all she was missing was that full throttle confidence in herself. I wonder if this was because she was shocked by a sold out audience which may have thrown her off. It reminded me of La La Land when Emma Stone’s character performs to an empty audience versus her dreamscape of a sold out crowd, it made me feel proud of Fisher. The blurred lines of fiction and reality.
Shows can be a hit or a miss but for me, no matter how good a show is- if the ending is bad- I’m not interested. Fisher delivered a stunning ending. You learn what this is all about. It’s hopeful and motivates you to keep on going! So if you have a dream you want to reach for and need a little motivation- let Sophie Fisher humour you.
