Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello! I’m Hannah Walker- a theatre maker and comedy performer from Newcastle and I’ve made a show about my experience of being in a relationship with a compulsive gambler. It's on at Summerhall for the month during the Fringe. This has been a dream venue for me so I’m excited!
How would you describe your show?
A spangling whirlwind of big wins and flashing lights. It’s about my experience but it also features interviews with compulsive gamblers, family members and gambling industry experts.
It's fun. There's singing. And dancing. It’s also sad and deals with a subject that can cause so much pain. It’s relatable for people who have experienced someone who’s gambled and it’s also for others to learn about it.
We’re also having audience wrap-around events with Dr Matt Gaskell, Clinical Lead and Consultant Psychologist of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, and he’s been involved with the project since the beginning.
What is your favourite part of your show?
I’ve created my own gambling world which is projected onto screens and I love the parts where I interact with it. I’ve always wanted to be a singer but alas I wasn’t blessed with a voice so I secretly enjoy channelling Perrie Edwards from Little Mix when I’m interacting with myself on the screen.
If your show had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Venga Boys - We’re going to Ibiza. The song is an absolute tune! It’s featured in the show and although it’s such a happy song it breaks my heart and reminds me of a very sad time.
Are there any particular themes or messages you hope the audience takes away from your performance?
The show de-stigmatises gambling addiction through sharing a personal story that isn’t didactic. It deals with a taboo subject in its complexity to make people feel less alone. There’s such a stigma around gambling addiction and the more I talk about this show, the more people talk to me about their experience. It’s so important to me that audiences leave the show knowing that gambling has nothing to do with someone's character. We need to campaign for public health messaging similar to those on cigarettes.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
I thought of ‘performance’ quite differently until I studied at Queen Mary Uni. One of my lecturers, artist Lois Weaver, had a big impact on the way I work. I began to create autobiographical work and her practice helped shape the way I devise. She’s incredible. I also met co-creator Rosa Postlethwaite whilst at uni and we’ve now been working together professionally for 10 years. So I guess my uni had a big impact! So did having cancer and children but that’s for another day…
Can you describe your creative process and how you develop your ideas into a full-fledged performance?
The devising process was a lot of playing and a lot of listening. Playing with Rosa on my story and listening to gamblers and their family members tell me about their stories. We spoke with numerous gambling industry experts, both pro and against, to hear different perspectives.
In the devising process I wrote a timeline of my relationship with gambling and then created mini response performances for each memory. I went back to the very beginning when I used to play bingo at the village hall with lovely older ladies to my current understanding of the gambling world. I began making the show in 2019 and in 2020 my partner relapsed therefore the show evolved from that. I think the show will always evolve however long I continue to perform it.
I also still love bingo.
You’ve performed Gamble on tour, what is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you while performing?
One of our tour dates was The Mercury in Colchester and the hotel we were staying in was like Fawlty Towers on steroids. I love Fawlty Towers but this was quite an experience! On one of the nights we were staying at the hotel there was a ghost tour happening. We tried to join in (and we weren’t allowed) but we found out the whole tour was a set up. I used to watch Most Haunted as a kid and now I feel cheated knowing it’s not real!
Who are some of your artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?
I love Lois Weaver (previously mentioned), Ursula Martinez and Lucy McCormick. They’re all unique in their own way but each of them command the stage and I think that’s an incredible thing to be able to do. Oh, and of course Perrie Edwards.
Is there a piece of feedback you've received from an audience member or critic after a performance that’s stuck with you?
We found that many people experiencing gambling addiction who are BSL users often struggle to access support and so it was integral that our tour was integrated BSL interpreted. One of the reviewers wrote that it was "Arguably the best use of BSL in any show to date"- Breaking The Fourth Wall. Also previous conversations during the post show discussions have led to NHS referrals and networking between audiences and activists working in gambling reform.
Is there a show you’re excited to see when you’re up there?
Oh there's so much!Comedy wise I'm excited to see: Lee Kyle- Throwing Bottles Into the Sea, Lauren Stone- Cool for Cats, Amy Gledhill- Make Me Look Fit On The Poster and Elaine Roberston- Delulu. I find these comedians hilarious.
I really like Luca Rutherford's work and I'm excited to see her show-You Heard Me.
Others are Weather Girl- Francesca Moody Productions (excellent poster design), First Trimester by Krishna Istha, B.L.I.P.S -B.L.I.P.S and Oh, Calm Down by Charlotte Anne Tilley
How do you plan to balance performing and exploring the vast array of other shows and events happening at the Fringe?
I'd like to say that I’ll be organised and schedule shows/ life when I’m there but I probably won't and I’ll definitely end up burning the candle. I’m used to being woken at 5.30am every morning by my son so not waking up that early every day will be refreshing!
When and where can people see your show?
Summerhall, Cairns Lecture Theatre, 1 – 26 Aug 2024 (not 12 & 19), 16:30 (17:25)
And where can people find you online?
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