Rogue Dramaturgy: Anya Anastasia @ Edfringe 2017

Anya Anastasia will be performing her new cabaret show ‘Rogue Romantic’ at the Assembly Checkpoint for the month of August for tickets  go to www.edfringe.com

What was the inspiration for this performance?

Imitating the egotistical traits of my exes in Cabaret Diva form. It came from a desire to try to break a negative personal cycle of self-sacrifice in relationships, and finding empowerment through laughter and catharsis. 

I took things that men had said to me and spat it back out as lyrics with vengeance and disdain. This new alter-ego was born, Rogue, strident, cavalier, completely outrageous.

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

Absolutely. It is a vital part of progressing our society and eliciting social change. Especially in an independent platform such as the Fringe- here are the street philosophers, and the uncensored voices challenging and poking fun at the society we’re living in.

How did you become interested in making performance?

Started with social observation and lyrics, but I’ve always been a flamboyant kook so I fell into the cabaret genre pretty seamlessly and was delighted to discover my singing voice.

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

As I write all my own material, I write to understand and interpret, so the seed of a show has to come from a burning curiosity to understand something, or get to the bottom of a mystery. (Or at least a little closer to the bottom)

Does the show fit with your usual productions?

This show is a lot more personal than my usual productions, exposing things that were very painful once, in a completely ludicrous and humorous way. Hopes desires and confessions. It’s also a bigger stage show, full band and full spectacle!

What do you hope that the audience will experience?

This show is very much about audience experience, it should feel like you’re at a party with a mad diva as your host. High level of audience interaction, and lots of surprises as people in the audience become part of the show in strange and unexpected ways.

What strategies did you consider towards shaping this audience experience?

It’s a delicate balance with audience participation and engagement, I want everyone to feel in completely safe hands and also a little bit on edge at the same time. The theming of the stye of music sets the tone for the party atmosphere, it’s a Tropicana exotica vibe with plenty of rum!