Shrinking Violet
The Atlantic Fringe Festival in Halifax continues this week
with Shrinking Violet, the compelling
story of one young woman’s struggles with an eating disorder. Recently, AE
spoke with writer Anna Fraser and director Victoria Houser about the
production.
What are your roots?
Vicky -
I'm a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School, and am now a Toronto based
actor/director/producer. I grew up in Halifax where my early acting career
began at Neptune Theatre School. I've worked with local artists such as Martha
Irving, Jeremy Webb, Garry Williams and Samantha Wilson.
Anna -
I'm also a Ryerson Theatre School graduate, and began writing Shrinking Violet
in 2010 during my high school years. I'm now a Toronto based actor / playwright
/ producer.
How long have you been involved in theatre,
and in what capacity?
Vicky -
I've been involved in theatre for as long as I can remember, and grew up taking
classes and acting in the youth shows at Neptune Theatre here in Halifax. My
professional career began in Toronto upon completing the Performance Acting
program at Ryerson Theatre School. Shrinking Violet was my directorial debut
when it first premiered at the 2015 New Voices Festival. Last year I co-wrote
and produced a full length musical called And
Now, The End which took place
in the 2014 SummerWorks festival. I have participated in a wide range of work
in Toronto, from singing back up for Colm Wilkinson at his tribute concert to
collaborating with various independent theatre companies.
Anna - I
come from a primarily film based back ground. I even appeared in Mr D., which
brought me here to Halifax for the first time! Shrinking Violet is the first
full-length play I've ever written, and it's first draft won the Tarragon Under
20 Playwriting contest in 2011. I completed the Performance Acting program at
Ryerson Theatre School this April.
What inspired this particular
production?
Vicky - I
was inspired to join this production when I first read Anna's script and
realized the important message it carries. She has used the perfect balance of
humour and sincerity in her dialogue to convey this story, which made it easy
for me to jump on board with my interpretation.
Anna -
This story is based off a combination of personal experience and research I've
done on the topic of eating disorders. They are often misrepresented in the
media and are portrayed superficially. I wanted to create something that really
showed what it felt like to have an eating disorder, in order to create a deep
understanding for the audience members.
What are the challenges involved?
Vicky - Directing
a show in one city and bringing it to another is a challenge within itself,
both creatively and financially. Also, being a first time director and trying
to develop a dialogue with your actors can be confusing for everyone involved.
Luckily the cast is killer and have been amazing about solving problems as a
team and not making me feel like an alien when what I've asked them to do makes
no sense.
Anna - As
the script is still a work in progress, it was challenging to act in the main
role and also objectively look at the text as a playwright and see what changes
needed to be made. I was lucky to have a director who has been involved in the
playwriting process before and could act as a dramaturge and help me make the
appropriate cuts and adjustments.
What are the rewards?
Vicky - Being
able to return home with my work for the first time has been so rewarding, and
I feel so incredibly privileged to be working with this fantastic team on this
important story.
Anna - The
goal is to open people's minds about eating disorders, and so the most
rewarding part of this process for me is when someone who has seen our show
tells me afterwards that they didn't realize that that was what eating
disorders were like.
What can audiences expect during
the run?
Vicky - An
important story told with dark humour by an incredible cast of young actors.
Anna – A
lot of costume changes.
What are your thoughts on the
state of theatre in Canada?
Vicky + Anna - We
feel that young artists are the future of Canadian theatre, and we should be
given more opportunity and funding to create and present new work. Young female
theatre artists in particular need more representation, and so we are both
proud to be contributing our work to the Canadian stage.
Shrinking Violet
September 11 - Fort Massey Church @ 7:00 PM
September 13 - Fort Massey Church @ 3:00 PM
September 13 - Fort Massey Church @ 3:00 PM
