[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/EVE.jpg” caption=”The Destruction of Eve“]Standing atop the Royal Mile in Scotland's capital city, hagglers of an artistic sort gather year round from different corners of the globe to entice and cajole passersby. Every August, the celebrated Edinburgh Fringe (the world's largest arts festival) brings together an eclectic mix of acrobats, dancers, actors, artists and musicians alike. Together they take to the streets, pamphlets in hand, in hopes of securing an audience for their comedic, creative, theatrical, lyrical and musical exhibitions.

McMaster's own troupe of actors, actresses, and stage manager found themselves among the hundreds of thousands of visitors and performers that attended last summer's Fringe Festival.

The cast and crew of the School of the Arts' production of The Destruction of Eve spent 10 days in Edinburgh, advertising by day, performing by night, and catching as many shows as they could in between.

“If performers don't make the effort to perform outside or make a personal connection to the public, there's a good chance you'll have a very small audience,” remarks Nea Reid, who was cast as the Virgin Mary in the feminist, comedic rock musical. And yet, despite the daunting task theatre groups face having to take matters into their own hands – or bodies rather, as they gesture, sing, and act to coax the passing public into a performance – Nea attributes a deeper appreciation, and heightened passion for physical theatre to her time in Edinburgh.

The play itself is an alternative take on the biblical story of Eve, in which myths perpetuated over time are reimagined through a feminist lens. Written by the late Canadian playwright, Svetlana Zylin, it enjoyed a brief run in the Toronto theatre scene before making its way to Hamilton. While many performers hope to be picked up by big theatre companies at the Fringe Festival (over 1,000 talent scouts attend), the aim of the McMaster students, says stage manager Laura Brinton, was to keep the work of the Canadian playwright alive. “The more you perform it the better known it becomes,” she states.

Seven of McMaster's top theatre and film students participated in the nightly performances at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh: Marisa Cavatio, Natalie Dukich, Paul Frank, Nea Reid, Abby Sirisegaram, Christine Wallis, and Laura Brinton. Despite all the work involved, including frantic fundraising to reach a goal of $17,000 in only a few months, and the hours upon hours of rehearsal, Laura emphasizes the experience gained and the chance to participate in a world-renowned festival was well worth the effort.

The Fringe was started by gatecrashers in 1947 to the Edinburgh International Arts Festival, and now incorporates performers from 40 different countries around the world. Robin Williams, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Jude Law have all made appearances at the Fringe.
http://www.edfringe.com/