Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hi, my name's Danyah Miller, I'm a storyteller, performer, writer, theatre producer and mum. I trained in drama, dance and English (BA Degree), and later studied physical theatre at Lecoq in Paris. I'm also a Course Leader at The International School of Storytelling in East Sussex.
As a theatre producer, for Wizard Presents, I co-produced two West End musicals, including Olivier nominated 'Soul Sister'.
I have toured nationally and internationally in two, one-woman, family shows 'I Believe in Unicorns' and 'Why the Whales Came' both based on books by Michael Morpurgo. The former received an Argus Angel Award for Artistic Excellence at Brighton Festival 2014.
Amongst other things I've enjoyed two summer seasons in London's West End, Christmas seasons at Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond and OvalHouse, toured to Hong Kong and Singapore and been part of Imagine Children's Festival at Royal Festival Hall for the past two years, as well as touring across the country into theatres, arts centres, libraries and schools.
For 3 years I was a regular storyteller on BBC Three Counties Radio.
At Christmas this year I'll open a new show, Kika's Birthday, that I also wrote, co-produced with Little Angel Theatre and Orange Tree Theatre
How would you describe your show?
One of our reviewers described our show perfectly:
'it is simultaneously her story, my story, our story'
This biographical wonder tale is essentially a theatrical storytelling show with a dash of stand-up thrown in for good measure.
The show, which I wrote in collaboration with director Dani Parr and designer Kate Bunce, explores what drives us, as women, to want to live perfect lives. So, although it's my search for a richer understanding of what perfection is and what it means for me to accept imperfection in order to connect more deeply to my female line, it is also a universal story about the often complex relationship between mothers and daughters. You might also discover that, like me, you have more in common with your female ancestors than you care to admit.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I love the buzz of the Edinburgh Fringe, the variety and the enormity of what's on offer throughout the whole month. There's a feeling of both continuity and change happening all the time. I love how often I bump into people I know from the business and the possibilities of meeting new people too – so many conversations and stories. It feels like I'm a part of a huge family when I'm performing on the fringe. I love the street shows, the stalls, the visual and auditory noise throughout the day, but if you're up early I also enjoy how quiet the streets are. I love that it's a clean and safe city….
What differentiates it from other festivals?
Of course the size of the Edinburgh Fringe is one of the biggest differences between it and other festivals. But I also love the beauty of Edinburgh, the castle, buildings and the parks, the friendliness of the people and how they seem to open their hearts and their city to allow everyone to stay and play for a month. I get the feeling of really excellent organisation, so the festival is a well oiled machine, but also a sense of new ideas emerging all the time.
Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?
It's changed so much since I first encountered the fringe in 1984, again largely to do with the scale and scope. However my first two years at the fringe were as a member of National Student Theatre Company (10 shows ran, back to back, from morning to night, in a venue in Albany Street) I was as part of the administration / production team so I didn't get much chance to see very much outside our venue and my bed!
As I have returned, year on year, in various capacities; theatre manager, producer, as a mum or a performer, I've enjoyed different aspects of the fringe and seen many sides to it.
There's so much more on offer now than in the 80's, including the free fringe, which didn't exist then. Bringing a show to the fringe has always been a financial risk but it's more so now as the audiences have so many choices – why would they chose your show?… We have to work hard to get the audiences in, but when I'm lucky enough to sell out (and we've done that) it's the best feeling in the world!!
The Festival still feels very safe and accessible and I love that I can walk everywhere.
I like to arrive at the beginning of the month to get a feel for what's in store, what themes will run through the month. what will be different and what remains constant. The hills certainly remain constant and I know one thing for certain, I'll be much fitter at the end of the festival than I was at the beginning.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I remember being taken to the theatre as a child and feeling as if I belonged there, that I didn't want to leave. When I particularly liked a show I had a strange feeling in my stomach and desperately wanted to be on stage. When I was an au pair in London, during my gap year, I went into the West End or to the National Theatre on my one day off each week to see a matinee and an evening show. Thankfully tickets were considerably discounted for students otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see so many. I spent all my money on theatre tickets.
I saw 'Me and my Girl' with Emma Thompson and Robert Lindsey. I danced and sang all the way home, and I couldn't stop beaming! I remember seeing Geraldine Chaplin in Le Cirque Imaginaire, I'd never seen anything like it and immediately longed to be part of that world.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I've only ever wanted to be in the theatre, on stage, so I'm not sure I would want to do anything else. However whatever it was, I would want to be creating something, even if it was only mischief!
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
As a child I wanted to be a Blue Peter presenter. If I could have any job in the world I would be a radio and TV presenter who tells and listens to lots of stories!
In another lifetime I want to be highly skilled acrobat and dancer.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
Being taken to see the pantomime at York Theatre Royal. The Dame, Berwick Kaler, threw wagon wheels out into the audience, my brother caught one but he wouldn't share it with me.
Kaler is still the Dame at York and is still handing out wagon wheels!
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
I don't feel pressure to be a social commentator. I create work about which I feel passionate, of course I always hope that the shows will speak to the audience, but first and foremost I want to create high quality work which is filled with truth and heart.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I'm interested in creating work for families, whether they be young children with parents and grandparents or work for teenagers and adults to share. I feel strongly about offering theatrical and storytelling opportunities for families to experiences together. I'm certainly influenced by events, moods and public opinion but I tend to focus on that which I feel drawn to express and then as it emerges I realise that it has a relevance and a connection with what's happening around me!
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
An intense, tough, rewarding period
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
This is much too difficult a question - I have pondered it a great deal, There are plenty of people I would love to work with (or would have wanted to work with at different times in history), directors, designers, producers, actors, storytellers, poets, musicians - but each time I think of someone I wonder if I want to work with them above someone else.
So, I decided that the only way for me to answer this is to say that I'd like to be a part of a 'troupe' of the best artists working today… so that we can inspire and learn from each other, developing new ideas and new productions in a flexible and creative way.
Is that a cop out?!
Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?
I know very little about the free fringe except that I've seen it grow in strength and popularity since its inception in 2004. I have a good friend who's a superb street performer who definitely prefers the idea of his shows being free and that the audience pays what they like at the end, depending on what they thought of the show. The free fringe is based on this same principle. I love that as one part of the festival becomes main stream another strand bubbles up to serve another need and a new way of expression. Art and artists should be forever evolving and the free fringe is part of this evolution.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Top six tips, always assuming that you already have a superb show, artistically speaking
- Make sure your show has a catchy title and good visuals as you're up against 1000's of other options for people to see. Be clear of who is your target audience.
- Research the various venues and make sure that the venue you choose is compatible with your audience profile.
- Raise enough funds to be able to pay for everything including marketing, food and accommodation. Don't expect any financial return. If you make any money this is a bonus and possibly a miracle!
- Make sure you're happy with the deal you strike with your venue (what do they offer and what do you provide?) and consider the time of your show as this is very important in terms of your target audience.
- Work hard throughout the festival to bring your the audiences in, word of mouth is your best tool and this includes leafleting and promoting the show yourself. If at all possible I recommend working with a Press Rep as this is definitely worth a great deal both in advance and throughout the time of the festival.
- Enjoy and make the most of all the wonderful people you'll meet.
When and where can people see your show?
PLEASANCE COURTYARD (That) 12.45 daily (except 14th/21st/28th)
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
- www.perfectlyimperfectwomen.co.uk
- www.danyahmillerstoryteller.co.uk
- F: Wizard Presents Theatre Company
- T: @wizardpresents @danyahmiller
- Instagram: Danyah Miller
Perfectly Imperfect Women is performing at Pleasance Courtyard at 12:45 on 2nd - 27th (not 14th or 21st). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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