INTERVIEW: A Digital Pint with… Leyla Aycan, on Loneliness, Likeability, and the Relentless Quest for Redemption

We’re celebrating the opening of Prague Fringe by shining a light on a number of shows headed to the festival this week. Leyla Aycan is the writer-performer of award-winning Glasgow-based SKELF Theatre Co.’s upcoming show Gobstopper. The show is described as a punch-in-the-face tale of self-discovery, accountability, and the relentless quest for redemption. We caught up with Leyla for a pixelated pint to find out more about what inspired the show.

You can catch Gobstopper from May 27th-31st as part of Prague Fringe at Café Club Míšenská at various times (50mins). Tickets are available through the Prague Fringe Online Box Office.

Jake: Hi Leyla! You describe Gobstopper as a punch-in-the-face tale of self-discovery, accountability, and the relentless quest for redemption. Tell us about the story and what inspired it.

Leyla: Hi, Jake! So, Gobstopper really started as a series of unrelated speeches when I started exploring writing for the stage. As I continued to work on these speeches, I realised one voice was really shining through; an outspoken, impulsive (and maybe slightly unhinged) girl. From there I started exploring ideas around cancel-culture, loneliness, judgement, and how these different things can create a sort of desperation in a person – specifically, the desperation to be liked by others.

I wanted to create a character that on the surface most would find unlikeable, but you still find yourself rooting for. Her environment is a bit of a pressure cooker and we watch this actively bring out the worst in her. The question is, can she overcome other people’s expectations and figure out who she really is?

Jake: Tell us about how you came to work with SKELF Theatre Co. and about the experience of developing the show.

Leyla: I came to work with SKELF Theatre Co. on this project having directed their debut Prague Fringe show The Seagull (Not That One). I’ve always thought that the SKELF team, and the work they make, is authentic and super up my street. They were incredibly strong advocates for my creative vision throughout the process. Working in Glasgow, they have made a conscious effort to connect with emerging artists and make space for them to develop and platform their work – something that the Scottish theatre sector needs and appreciates.

I began developing the show in the final year of my degree, which was a great experience but a majorly independent process. To take it to the next level it was clear that it was time to open up the work and invite other like-minded creatives to contribute and help me elevate the material. It was a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the creative team on Gobstopper – I feel like my practice has been challenged throughout the process, and the experience is something that I will carry on to all my future projects.

Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?

Leyla: Well firstly, of course, I hope people are entertained. But aside from that, maybe I would hope that people who see the show will leave a little more open-minded towards the behaviour and actions of “bad people”. It’s so important that people are held accountable for their actions, but it’s also important that we can give room to meaningful discussions and growth.

Jake: Tell us about how the show has ended up being performed at Prague Fringe, and what you’re most excited for about the festival.

Leyla: We had a really great experience at Prague Fringe in 2023, and have been dying to come back ever since. When we started developing this show, SKELF were really supportive of the notion to bring it to Prague. We totally love the sense of community here that can be seen amongst artists, front of house volunteers, and audience members alike – it’s really something special – and we recommend it to everyone back home!

Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?

Leyla: I think a Whiskey Sour! Delicious, but sure to give you a headache.

A reminder, you can catch Gobstopper from May 27th-31st as part of Prague Fringe at Café Club Míšenská at various times (50mins). Tickets are available through the Prague Fringe Online Box Office.