Brighton Fringe returns in May – albeit with a brochure stripped down to a ‘Daily Diary’. But if you are looking for the best local tips, stay tuned to SOURCE!
Covid certainly turned off the theatre limelight for a couple of seasons. So we were delighted to hear that ‘Betsy: Wisdom of a Brighton Whore’ will be making a welcome return to the stage after an acclaimed sell-out run in 2019.
We caught up with Isabella McCarthy Sommerville – the award-winning Brighton-born actor – who is performing ‘Betsy’ for four weeks from the 7th May.
So what drew Isabella to ‘Betsy’, a play of “sex, seduction and survival” set in the Brighton underworld of the 1800s? First, Isabella was very attracted to the script. She described it as “a great piece of writing, great storytelling. Very compelling.”
Second, she sees Betsy as “an incredibly colourful character…a working woman…struggling with being a young mother…” and trying to navigate a very seedy world.
Third, Isabella pointed out that the play’s themes remain contemporary. “It is pretty special and very relevant now…to our histories and where people come from…the women who came before us, the voices they may have had, and their story through generations.”
Arguably, the theme of ‘Betsy’ sadly remains highly topical in relation to the trafficking and exploitation of women across the world.
The performance feels very much like “a collaboration between audience and actors”. Since its debut in 2013, the play has continued to pick up five star reviews. Do note, however, that due to the adult themes, it is not appropriate for young people under 14 years.
Of course, Betsy is a fictional character. However, the performance does feature people from Brighton’s history: from the Prince Regent to Thomas Kemp.
For the first time, this year’s show is complemented by music from Dragonsfly (of Glastonbury fame). Their musical style encompasses a wide range, from French and Breton Dance to Eastern European tracks. And for this show, the music – with lyrics sung by Maya – will follow a Celtic and folksy direction.
‘Betsy’ takes place in the new loft of the Brighton Fishing Museum beneath 200 Kings Road Arches. This red brick chamber on the seafront provides a highly relevant backdrop for the performance. Isabella pointed out that, the arches, the pier and other local landmarks also play an important role in the story.
We’ve previously reviewed other quality productions by the Something Underground Theatre Company, written and directed by Jonathan Brown, including ‘The Spirit of Woodstock’ (2020) and the Lewes Festival of Solo Theatre (2019).
Get your tickets early!
Brighton Fringe: May 7th – June 4th 2022
Photos by JJ Waller and Thom O’Driscoll
