The Honeymoon Period is Officially Over
Rutherford School (8620 91 street) August 14 – 23 (every day)
More information: gemmawilcox.com
An interview with Gemma Wilcox.
Describe your show in five words.
Virtuosic (according to Liz Nicolls when I performed it in 2009). Physical. Humorous. Poignant. Award-winning.
Okay, now that we’re intrigued… what’s the longer description?
Sex tips from auntie, secrets held and stormy releases, a magical feathery unfolding, an unexpected visitor from the past, domestic blues jazz explosion, love crossed furry friends, flaming truths, toxic take over, and feline reality calls…
Gemma Wilcox (London, UK) embodies 20 characters in this humorous, poignant, captivating tale of love and letting go. Telling the story of Sandra and her world of complex relationships, Wilcox transforms seamlessly from male to female, from frisky feline to flickering flames, in her acclaimed, not-to-be-missed, one-woman show.The Honeymoon Period is Officially Over is a two-act performance, spanning 2 years of Sandra’s life, where we are carried along by the unavoidable truth in this young woman’s journey as she navigates the challenges of love and work while remaining true to herself. We journey with her as she grapples with her dissolving marriage, and a visit from an old flame that awakens her suppressed creativity and calls into question what she truly wants.
“A tense, moving and remarkably accomplished account of a relationship. What puts Wilcox into the elite of soloists is the economy, wit, ingenuity and sheer quicksilver precision with which she distinguishes some 20 characters on a bare stage…This kind of virtuosity is dazzling, but it’s at the service of nuanced characters and emotionally complex moments.” 4 1/2 Stars
– Liz Nicholls, Edmonton Journal (2009)
“The Honeymoon Period Is Officially Over is a strong, tightly written and superbly acted exploration of a difficult topic…Wilcox is a master of the theatre, and there’s no better person to tackle such an ambitious one-woman show.” – Amanda Ash, The Victoria Times Colonist“Wilcox moves easily through the nuances of London’s class-tinged dialects and accents, mixing vocal virtuosity with imaginative expressions and postures to herald each new personality, establishing a set of instantly recognizable icons that facilitate quick-paced, multi-character conversations.” – Bob Bows, Variety
You showed The Honeymoon Period is Officially Over at the 2009 Edmonton Fringe. Why did you decide to bring this show back to Edmonton? How has the show, and the way you perform it, grown in the last five years?
In 2009 I was in a smallish venue (about 100 seats) and sold out my whole run. Especially after the 4 1/2 stars from Liz Nicholls in the Edmonton Journal there were tons of people who could not get in to the show, and so I wanted to bring it back, for those who got turned away, and for those who wanted to see it again. I have also performed 2 other one woman shows since then (Shadows in Bloom and Magical Mystery Detour) that were also very successful, and so there are more people in Edmonton who are also aware of my work. ALSO, I just LOVE the Edmonton Fringe and couldn’t stay away!!! 🙂
I have been touring this show – as well as touring my other shows – for the past 10 years. It has grown and matured in many ways. I have performed it well over 100 times. It is in my bones and blood, and I still love to perform it!
In The Honeymoon Period is Officially Over you play 20 different characters. What is your preparation process like for a show where you have to embody that many characters?
Yes. It physically and mentally demands a lot of focus and energy. So I find the following things help me considerably: Good rest. Good food. Yoga. Walks in nature. And, even after doing the show for so long I like to do a speed run through before the show to warm up and get into the characters.
Anything else you want audiences to know about the show?
Just get your butts there – you won’t regret it! I play talking chickens and flickering flames! Get ready to laugh tons and possibly cry. It’s at a BYOV venue, so plan your trip over the Rutherford School – Venue #48 – 8620 91 St.
Bonus question: Any names you want to drop who have been involved in your show (Edmonton arts people or otherwise)?
Hmmmm… Not this show. But there is a Shana Cordon from this years show “Dancing with Demons: a fractured fairytale” co-directed one of my other shows I performed in Edmonton “Shadows in Bloom”. I worked with Claire Paton from another show this year, “The Awkward Art of Flying” , this past spring on generating new material for future work of mine! So, go see their shows too! They are both great!
The 33rd Edmonton International Fringe is August 14 – 24. Get your tickets at tickets.fringetheatre.ca.