| Tamsin Shasha |
| Words: Curio | |
| Saturday, 25 August 2007 | |
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Curio meets the writer and star of Fringe hit play Bacchic.  Bacchic combines aerial theatre, music and movement to tell the story of a modern guru’s fall from grace. Based on Greek tragedy The Bacchae by Euripides, the show has been one of the Fringe’s surprise successes. Curio meets actress Tamsin Shasha, the show’s writer and star. You literally perform an hour every day while up a rope. How tough has this been? It’s been pretty physically demanding. I’ve never done a show like it. It’s intense on your hands and toes as they get the brunt of it. But it’s not as bad as my performance in Edinburgh I use a shorter rope (7metres) and not the usual longer rope (10metres). The shorter rope makes the drama more intense and brings the audience closer to the action. What preparation physically was needed for the role? I’ve trained in aerial work for four years now, and this gave me an advantage because I was already fit. I run a lot and have run half-marathons in the past. I’ve had no energy to run in Edinburgh though! The show has been my work out as aerial is very good for you physically, plus I also do yoga as a warm up. All this talk of rope burns and physical exertion, you truly suffer for your art? I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t like it. I love a challenge and beyond the acrobatics, to be able to speak from the rope was a challenge. With Bacchic I wanted to create an emotional journey, so the narrative is as important as the physical. The Bacchic is a one-woman show. You ever get lonely up that rope? I'm never lonely when on stage, although I do feel exposed! Especially I see reviewers in the front row scribbling away! That’s just off-putting (smiles). The show has had really positive critical acclaim. Was this one of these shows that could have just as easily been a flop? Bacchic is very unique. I have never seen theatre that has combined the rope and theatre in this way. We wanted to make a real visual impact, and so a great lighting and sound team was also needed beyond my investment in time in getting it all right. The story itself that the Bacchic is based on is a timeless drama Critics have said your performance is “sexy”. How does a girl make swinging on a rope sexy? The rope is fairly phallic! However it’s more important to be seen as sensual rather than sexy. Sensuality has more depth and gravitas. I wear an androgonous outfit, and I see little femininity about my body in this performance. I am more focused on making my performance look effortless than sexy. How’s your Fringe month been overall? It’s been really good, apart from when I fell off my bike! It’s been interesting too, as The Bacchae was on at the King’s Theatre during our run. That actually did us favours. We fliered that show every day as people like to compare the shows. Our flyers even upset Alan Cumming as they carried a quote that said our show rivals his. He wouldn’t come and see our show! What shows have you seen and enjoyed this year? The Walwarth Farce at the Traverse. This show won a Fringe First and was very, very good. The play Sting for Nolte (Gilded Balloon Teviot) was my favourite. What’s next for Tamsin? I’m touring Bacchic in the spring we may even go international with the show. I hope so. Tamsin Shasha performs her one-woman show Bacchic at the Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 27 Aug. Related links Review: Bacchic |