Roe McDonnell
An Ode to the Casting Director is a love letter to actors and anyone who has worked in the creative industries. From being put forward for the most random and ridiculous projects with audition partners who have questionable techniques, the true side of student and indie films where everyone wants to be the next Brando, to being years into your career and still being doubted for your work.
Currently playing at the Gilded Patter House, this one woman performance written and performed by Netflix’s Sophie Fisher this is must see if you want a good laugh and cathartic realisations of either ‘Ok I’m not the only one in the world feeling this then’ or ‘holy hell is this what it‘s actually like’ and answers to both of them are yes.
As fringe shows are with a simple set of a white chaliselong, blankets and a yoga ball this seems like your average exactly what you expect one person show. However, it’s not until the TV screen in the corner flicks to life and the camera is rolling that we realise that Fringe and Jamie Lloyd can mix with powerful storytelling through mixed media. We see live as it happens readthroughs of casting workshop nightmares, crisp advert audition mouth fulls and the Viking scream against a gladiator up close and it’s clear the audience (including myself) loved it!
Fisher is a comedic performer at her core but also sees the raw emotion and hard work that occurs after the cut. The 4am wake ups for your ‘muggle job’, the alternate career discussions with family and relationship struggles you have to deal with off camera no matter how hard you keep it in. It’s one of the most raw fly on the wall performances and you can feel when there is another actor in the audience.
You can catch An Ode to the Casting Director until August 25th at The Penny at Gilded Balloon Patter House from 11:40 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake Mace
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
