Hello!
Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
We are The Travelling Sisters, a character comedy trio from Australia.
Tell us about your show?
Toupé is a sketch show that combines physical comedy, contemporary clown and original music to create worlds of tragically charming characters. Among these are a tap dancing cactus desperate for love, a giant diva with a dental malfunction, and three Aussie lollipop ladies that show us life ain’t over when the kids move out. We tread the line between the beautiful and the grotesque, the idiotic and the profound, the whimsical and the downright ridiculous.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is it different from other festivals?
It’s the vibes. You don’t get the same electricity at other festivals. The immense amount of performers crammed into the one city from all over the world is a drug worth chasing...at least we think so!
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
We started off as rather serious theatre actors. As we started to devise together we got rather silly. Silly is fun. Silly is lovely. Rowan Atkinson/Mr. Bean. French and Saunders. Those types. It’s a beautiful world to belong to.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
Our comedy is character based and a little absurd. We never set out to make work that is ‘social commentary’ per say, but a lot of the time we do by accident. We certainly don’t dissuade people from reading into it. Three women on stage...our very bodies are political.
Equally, do you feel there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
The world we live in today is almost another world entirely from when we formed only four years ago. It’s an incredible time to be a female performer, so being a female comedy trio is truly magic. The place we create from is deep in what we find funny. People are not only listening to the female voice, they are seeking it out. Our style is so ‘with’ the audience that it would be impossible not to be affected by the people we perform to.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Colourful, fresh, fast and fun.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Do it. There are many ways to ‘do it’...Depending on where your show is at and what your finances look like. If you have never been to the fringe before, head on up without registering and check out the vibe and get as may gigs and spots as you can. Find your people, see shows that inspire you and connect with other artists. It will make your first official fringe year feel like less of a risky jump. We did a visit year, then a free fringe year, then a paid venue year. All so valuable.
And what advice do you wish you’d been given when entering the industry?
Don’t be afraid to negotiate your rate. You are valuable.
When and where can people see your show?
1st – 27th of August 6:15pm in Billiard Room at Gilded Balloon Teviot
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
www.thetravellingsisters.com facebook.com/travellingsisters insta: travellingsisters
twitter: travsisters
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