What is the best or most inspiring show you’ve seen at the Festivals?
In 2017 I saw Lucy Hopkins’ Ceremony of Golden Truth in the Yurt at the Blundagardens, the venue they co-ran at Potterrow Underpass. The show and the whole place, the Yurts and Blundabus, were like lightning to me back then. I won’t ever forget Lucy walking out completely naked painted head to toe in solid gold. She is the dark clown mother and master.
In 2023 I saw The Stones, written and directed by Kit Brookman and performed by Luke Mullins. One guy telling a single folk horror tale that dips into sci-fi and black humour: A little bit of dry ice and just the most incredible writing. It checked all my boxes; queer new writing, dark comedy, true tension building horror and really simple, well-performed storytelling.
And in 2024, Salty Brine These are the Contents of My Head (The Annie Lennox Show). I am rapt by everything Salty Brine does. Every show they create they take an album by an iconic artist and weave it with a story from classic literature, plus stories from their own life. And they do it in the most deeply glamorous, cabaret style. It is pure God-Given ENTERTAINMENT.
What’s one piece of advice someone has given you for your first show at The Fringe?
Take some time by yourself everyday to do something completely unrelated to your show and Fringe business. Literally eat an ice cream whenever you want.
Tell me a little more about your show and what audiences can expect?
It’s the Speed Queen, the last launderette on the Isle of Wight!
The show is a dark character comedy and clown show. It is also eerie storytelling and cabaret. Pet from the Launderette, my darling lead hag, airs the Island’s dirty laundry for your entertainment, with real stories from the overlooked archives of the Isle of Wight. She tells of all the folk you meet in the faded glamour of the Island’s past and its unsettled future. It has been a way to help myself understand England and its peculiarities.
You know a woman like Pet. She’s spooky, a little dangerous, but incredibly familiar. The lady from the bus stop, the empty post office. It’s Little Eadie (and Big Eadie) from the iconic documentary Grey Gardens, tap dancing in their dilapidated mansion. It’s your own Grandmother in the care home, singing loudly in French as you leave her with the nurses.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your work, both in terms of creation and performance?
The thing that kicked off the initial idea for Speed Queen, way back in 2019, was a mysterious letter in the Launderette I went to every week, left by the lady that did the service washes:
“Dear customers,
It is with great sadness that I am informing you that I will not be returning to my duties at the launderette.
This does mean that there will no longer be any service washes or dry cleaning services in this launderette.
Thank you for your custom over the years, I hope to see you around.
Stay safe,
Pet.”
Since I started working on the show I’ve uncovered other mysteries, myths and little known histories from the Isle of Wight, but it’s been working with my director, Tanika Lay-Meachen, that has been the most inspiring part of creating Speed Queen. Tanika’s dramaturgy has brought the stories I have collected over the past two years to life. They are a hugely talented director, with so much knowledge of theatre, comedy and literature, endlessly generous with their time, and a total gas (complimentary). Working with the right people is magic.
My inspiration for performance is Edith Piaf. Every song she sings for her LIFE.
Have you got your eye on any other shows that are part of the programme?
My day off is the 12th of August, which luckily coincides with the opening day of Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine. It’s a mini festival of theatre, dance, comedy, food, storytelling, music and poetry, showcasing artists from Palestine and the Palestinian diaspora, running from the 12th-15th at Portobello Town Hall. I’m particularly excited to see the incredible clown Sami Abu-Wardeh on the 13th at 8pm.
How can Edinburgh audiences keep up with you beyond the festival?
Follow me on Instagram @ozzyalgar
Ozzy Algar: Speed Queen, Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul-24 Aug (not 12), 10.30pm