Edinburgh Fringe 2022
Interview
Tamsin Hurtado Clarke
PUSH
Pleasance Courtyard (Baby Grand)
Aug 3-14, 16-29, 14:00 / Tickets
June 29, 2022
PUSH is about the ongoing impossibility of deciding what you want to be when you grow up – a parent, not a parent, just like your mother, the complete opposite of your mother, a dancer, a lover, an astronaut.
Hi Tamsin, thank you for talking to The New Current, how have you been keeping during these strange times?
The break from performing in 2020 and 2021 was certainly tough on a number of fronts... But I was very grateful to have kept connected with other artists via some of our digital projects; the Women in lockdown series followed by the Press Play season and now, coming out of it all, via our new Popelei Pints series on Instagram live. All of them have kept the creative conversations alive and us in touch with our peers.
Thankfully we finally feel able to book in live performances with confidence, and it has been invaluable to preview PUSH in Plymouth and Bath to some warm receptions.
How does it feel to heading to Edinburgh Fringe after everything that has happened?
We were lucky enough to be able to reimagine PUSH for film last year and debut this as part of The Pleasance’s brilliant 2021 digital programme, which definitely kept us engaged with the wonders of the festival. But, of course, nothing beats real life engagement with audiences and we cannot wait to be there in the flesh…
Will there be any nerves ahead of your first show at The Pleasance?
100 percent yes! I do think a healthy amount of nerves can be helpful - they show how much you care about giving everything you can to your audience, and remind you to dig deep in each performance.
Have you got your The Royal Mile sales patter down for August or are you still tweaking it?
Last time I was selling a show at the Fringe was our show ‘Manuelita’ in 2014, so I’m aware I may be a little rusty! But arriving in Edinburgh is a massive adrenaline shot to the heart so I’m sure that will energize me enough to go and chat up some strangers.
Can you tell me a little bit about Push, what can we expect?
Of course! I would love nothing more…PUSH is the story of a woman in her late 30s staring down the barrel of motherhood, wondering what the hell she wants in life. It takes a mischievous look at maternal instinct - or rather, what it can feel like to feel decidedly unmaternal in some ways. It’s a solo show, it’s funny, it’s outrageously honest, it has lots of bold and expressive dance and movement in it, alongside an electrifying original soundtrack.
When you preview a show how much does it change before a major festival and do you still allow yourself some flexibility once a run has started?
I think there often has to be some flexibility in a solo show like ours, as you are talking directly to the audience and responding to their mood and rhythm. Generally our shows feature at least a touch of audience interaction, so there is always flexibility there too, that helps keep each performance fresh.
"I’ve learnt how to give myself over to that, and discovered that kind of whirlwind energy can be really exciting for the audience getting swept up in it."
Have you always had a passion for theatre?
A big turning point for me was the passion I felt seeing early Complicite shows when I was younger…I was blown away by their theatricality and precision.
What has been the most interesting thing you have discovered about yourself and the theatre you want to create after making this show?
This show is quite non-linear in form, compared to some work I’ve made - sometimes PUSH feels more like a dream, or an explosion of thoughts and feelings that come pouring out of the character. I’ve learnt how to give myself over to that, and discovered that kind of whirlwind energy can be really exciting for the audience getting swept up in it.
What one word best describes your show?
Well, we do have an emotional twist at the end, and maybe a few along the way….so, perhaps the word would be ‘punchy’.
In-between your show, how do hope to get a chance to see other shows at the fringe?
With some serious organisational skills! We have a lovely group of fellow makers and Popelei supporters going up, among them neuroqueer clown Andrea Spisto, Popelei seed commission winner Paula David and new friend and artist Carly Fernandez with their show Concha. So we’ve already started on our list of must see shows. All the others will have to squished in between somehow…
What has been the best piece of advice you have been given?
Share before you’re ready to share.
Do you have a favourite theatre quote?
‘Tout bouge’ by Jacques Lecoq - it translates as ‘Everything moves.’
And finally, what do you hope your audiences will take away from Push?
I think what you take away depends on what you bring into the room from these massively individual experiences or questions in life, particularly around parenthood, fertility and personal freedom. I’m really excited by the fact that audiences will doubtlessly have a huge range of different responses and take-aways - all equally valid.