UnCouth
C103 (8529 103 street), August 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23
More info: windywynazz.com
UnCouth at Edmonton Fringe Festival. Photo credit Lynne Fried
An interview with Windy Wynazz.
Describe your show in five words.
Wild, Campy, Racy, Comic, Showgirl
Okay, now that we’re intrigued… what’s the longer description?
Comic Showgirl Windy Wynazz has a dream! The world just doesn’t see it quite the same way. Through acrobatics, song, dance, puppetry, and unsuspecting men, she ultimately finds and defines her own subversive sweet success!
You say in your press release that you got into clown 2 years ago. How did that happen and what has it done for you artistically?
I literally accidentally stumbled upon it while researching acrobatics classes at the Circus Center in San Francisco, near where I live. I received my degree in theatre (directing) but had never done much physical comedy. Something hit me as soon as I saw the word clown. I rearranged my work schedule to only work on the weekends for 5 weeks and dove head-first into clowning. Since then I’ve gone back to the Clown Conservatory (San Francisco) at various points to further hone my skills. Clown literally changed my life in that it gave me to the tools to create my own work instead of waiting for the call after auditions.
UnCouth includes ‘burlesque phantasmagoria’ – what exactly is that?
Hah! Good question. The definition of phantasmagoria is: a strange scene, dreamlike in nature because it is always changing in an odd way. UnCouth takes the classic idea of feminine beauty, specifically the art of vaudevillian burlesque, and flips it on it’s head. It’s playing with the subversive nature of this world, all while displaying highly-visually pleasing images of sparkle and beauty, much like images in a dream.
You mention that there’s audience participation in UnCouth – can you give us a bit more of a sneak peak into what audiences can expect to be involved in?
Most notably, a very lonesome Windy Wynazz, pulls up one unsuspecting gentleman to keep her company on stage. Raciness often ensues. Most men leave the stage smiling.
Anything else you want audiences to know about the show?
Buckle up! Honestly, just come in with an open mind and ready to play.
Bonus question: Any names you want to drop who have been involved in your show (Edmonton arts people or otherwise)?
Dan Griffiths, my co-collaborator and director also serves as Director at the Clown Conservatory in San Francisco and trained very closely with Marcel Marceau. Joe Dieffenbacher (Nakupelle) who first introduced me to clown and very much helped to shape this show, and my future trajectory. Amazing clowns I have met on the road who have helped and influenced me along the way: David Cantor & Amica Hunter (we went to clown school together!) from Beau & Aero which is also touring to Edmonton this year. Butt Kapinski of Butt Kapinski fame who toured her show last year to great success in Edmonton. Otto & Astrid from Die Roten Punke who’ve brought their amazing show to Edmonton many, many times! And the always classy Gemma Wilcox who has been a huge advocate of this show since the tour started and is bringing her aptly named show, Magical Mystery Detour, to Edmonton this year!
The 34th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is August 13 – 23. Get your tickets at tickets.fringetheatre.ca starting August 4.