Dramaturgywould: Sh!t Theatre @ Edfringe 2017

Sh!t Theatre with Show And Tell present

DollyWould

WORLD PREMIERE

Old Lab, Summerhall, 4 - 27 August 2017 (not 21), 21.15 (22:15)

Oh look, it’s 2016 Fringe First winners Sh!t Theatre again following their Fringe First winning sell-out festival hit, Letters to Windsor House. What is it this time? 

Oh, is it unemployment? Is there a crisis? Did the government do something wrong? No, it’s a show about Dolly Parton. Sh!t Theatre f*cking love Dolly Parton. This sharp and hilarious performance takes you on an adventure into the heartland of Tennessee, USA and beyond to explore life

, death, branding and cloning. Enlisting the expertise of the ‘Nigella of science’ genetic scientist Dr Kat Arney, Sh!t Theatre explore the enigma that is Dolly in this rollercoaster ride of a show complete with live music and sing-a-longs. 

What was the inspiration for this performance?

Dolly. The sheep and Parton. The first and original, unique, clone. And the (probably - definitely) queer legendary country and western singer.

Is performance still a good space for the public discussion of ideas? 

Performance is definitely still a good space for the public discussion of ideas - especially if those ideas are 'Isn't Dolly amazing?' ' Isn't Dolly brilliant?' 'She's so talented' 'Wouldn't it be amazing if Dolly never died' 'What is life anyway?' 'Where's Dolly the sheep right now? Oh what?! Just down the road you say!'

How did you become interested in making performance?

One of us got too much love as a child, one not enough.

Is there any particular approach to the making of the show?

All our previous shows were written from a place of anger, this one from a place of love. Our main approach to making this show is spending loads of money on merch and travel.

Does the show fit with your usual productions?

No. This show is our B-side prog-rock concept album. Sh!t Theatre's Kid A. 

What do you hope that the audience will experience?

Love and fear.

What strategies did you consider towards shaping this audience experience?

We always do work-in-progress showings every step along the way as we write a show. There have currently been about 4 different versions of this show. It is shaped in front of an audience. It's a combination of actual feedback and that intangible feeling in the room of 'How's it going?' The show is also about our experience. Are we getting joy from this bit? No? Don't need it then. This show is more about joy and love than a political message or narrative. It's also about mortality though.