Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello! I’m Rowena Hutson. I’m one third of the multi-award winning comedy-cabaret trio Fringe Wives Club. The other two mega talented babes I get to play with everyday are musical comedy powerhouse Victoria Falconer and physical comedy kween Tessa Waters. I’m an Australian (but born in Glasgow so I’m really a secret Weegie!), in my mid 30s, a dedicated fake blonde and ready to rock and roll through Edinburgh Fringe like a Kween.
Tell us about your show?
Glittery Clittery: A conSENSUAL Party is a be-sequined, champagne-fuelled extravaganza of original songs and epic dance moves. It’s fierce, feminist and furiously funny. It’s also a celebration of femmes supporting femmes and taking up space in a gloriously inclusive and loving space. It’s won multiple awards in Australia and we are ridiculously excited to be unleashing it in Edinburgh this year!
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is it different from other festivals?
Edinburgh Fringe is the BIG ONE. It’s the festival where you can place your work in an international context, and see how it fits into the fabric of global culture. It’s also just a gloriously supportive festival and city, and audiences in Edinburgh are so on it, it’s really exciting to be able to bring work to share with such hungry minds! Edinburgh Fringe is very different from any other festival in the world. I mean for one, most other festivals struggle to bring an ancient castle to the table - and Edinburgh just does it naturally. So the location is utterly incredible, but it’s also a festival where you can literally perform to an audience of people from all over the world and then go and see a show from any country you can think of it. It’s an international phenomenon.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I think we’ve all always enjoyed making people laugh. I certainly grew up desperately hoping I’d become Dawn French. But we’re inspired by a whole host of hilarious people. Growing up it was French and Saunders, Victoria Wood, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Ab Fab, Julie Walters. We are also constantly inspired by the incredible work of our peers and other acts in the industry like Hot Brown Honey, Briefs Factory, Yana Alana, The Travelling Sisters, Lady Rizo, Adrienne Truscott, Demi Lardner and Margaret Cho.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
I don’t think it’s a pressure. Our work is actively socially engaged, so reworking and updating material to reflect current events is a chance to keep the work fresh and relevant. It also allows us to find new joy and jokes in the material. I love having writing sessions where we end up just falling about making each other laugh.
Equally, do you feel there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
Yes. When we first started writing our show #MeToo hadn’t yet happened. We previewed the show for the first time the same weekend that the Women’s March happened around the entire world - so it felt like we were writing a show that was really embedded in realities of the feminist experience. But once #MeToo happened, it was incredible to realise how much of what we’d written was being felt or thought or experienced by other people. Suddenly there are people talking about these issues literally all over the world, and it’s exciting and powerful to be a part of that conversation.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Vive la inclusive social change.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Be sure of your goals. Edinburgh is such a huge festival it’s easy to lose your drive in all the hectic energy. But if you know exactly why you’re there and what you want to achieve it’s easier to not get distracted by everything else. That said, don’t forget to get out there and see some shows! You might see something that totally blows your mind and inspires your work. And get some sleep and eat some fruit and vegies. You won’t regret that one early night in bed with netflix and some good food - it will rejuvenate your soul.
And what advice do you wish you’d been given when entering the industry?
Welcome! Remember that there is space for everyone here - so support your friends chasing those dream gigs and they will support you. Sometimes you’ll have a little voice of doubt in your head when a friend or peer seems to move ahead of you in industry faster or more easily than you. And that’s ok. We all sometimes have that voice. But don’t let it cramp your style. Cheer on your mates and your peers and keep working at whatever it is that you’re good at and that sets you apart. The industry recognises hard work. Essentially what I’m saying is base yourself on Dwayne The Rock Johnson and just make sure you’re always (one of) the hardest workers in the room.
When and where can people see your show?
We’re on every night at Assembly Roxy - Upstairs at 8.50pm. Grab a drink and come and party with us!
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
You can find us at @fringewivesclub on twitter, instagram and facebook. We rock a pretty rad #BrunchDiaries so be prepared for pics of a whole host of cabaret kweens having brunch!
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