Jake Mace
Content Warning: Discussion of Infant Death
Beth Mullen describes her upcoming EdFringe new writing debut A Minor Theft as a love letter to all those grieving deaths so painful they “upend our worlds”. The show follows a character called Sophie, played by Beth, who has just stolen a baby, and explores themes of working class on working class judgement and infant death. With such an intriguing premise we decided to catch up with Beth for a pixelated pint.
Catch A Minor Theft at Playground 2 at ZOO Playground from August 1st to 16th at 13:05 (45mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi Beth! A Minor Theft is an exploration of infant death, working class on working class judgement and the strange things that grief makes us do. Tell us what inspired the show and about the journey the main character Sophie goes on.
Beth: The show was first conceived in a pub. I was back home on the North East coast and there was a baby with a broken arm in a pram and I just wanted to scoop her up and away – but I couldn’t do that (because its illegal) so I created a character – Sophie – that does. I harboured a lot of judgement and ill-will for the young mother who was deep throating fags and sucking the lyfff out of a voddy-coke. How DARE she have a child with a broken arm. W h a t a b a d m o t h e r but the truth was that I judged this girl on a chance encounter. The show was built out from that image: the baby with a broken arm, my judgement and the wish but not the will to steal the baby away.
In terms of the character’s journey – Sophie’s expedition is a wild one. She goes to Ikea on a Sunday (whatamadbitch) and whilst finding safe refuge for the baby she’s stolen she makes peace with a great loss.
Jake: Tell us about what the audience can expect coming into the show, and what they might not expect about the show.
Beth: I think the audience will come for a laugh and stay for the heart… and stay because it’s only 45 mins and no interval and they’ve already paid for a ticket.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Beth: This isn’t a show that’ll change the world but it’s a show that might inspire change on an individual level. Perhaps it’ll encourage someone to have more patience when a mother lumbers through with a big-fuck-off-pram that she can’t quite ‘drive’ yet. Perhaps someone will give up their seat for a pregnant woman on the tube rather than stare at their phone hoping she disappears. Maybe it’ll make people think twice before rolling their eyes out loud at the new mother who can’t get their crying baby to sleep.
Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Beth: I’m excited to take my daughter to some children’s shows and I’m excited about the lifespan of ‘A Minor Theft’ – I think it’d make a beautiful dramady TV show. I’m also interested to see some clowning and movement work AND I’m excited to leave my daughter at home and go for a night out with some pals. I’m a greedy gal and I’m buzzing for all of it.
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?
Beth: I think it has to be a double-voddy coke in solidarity for the young mam I saw at The Ship Inn Saltburn, just trying to get by. Cheers to you. Now I have a daughter of my own; I understand.
A reminder, you can catch A Minor Theft at Playground 2 at ZOO Playground from August 1st to 16th at 13:05 (45mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Shahin Fard
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
