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The Camden Fringe Interviews
Arden Winant and Grainne Robson tell us all about Bea P. Deigh
Arden Winant‘s Bea P. Deigh attempts to demystify the stigma surrounding those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, but in a way that is much more accessible than any heavy textbook on the subject! And as we are always interested in hearing how fringe theatre is tackling important topics, we couldn’t turn down the chance to chat to Arden, along with her director, Grainne Robson, who tell us about the play’s journey to Camden, and why it might be our only chance to catch it in the UK for a while!
Hello to you both, shall we begin with who’s who.
I’m Arden Winant (AW), and I’m the writer and performer of Bea P. Deigh!
I’m Grainne Robson (GR) and I am the director of Bea P. Deigh.
What can audiences expect from Bea P. Deigh then?
AW: A little bit of everything…you like clowning? We got it! You like crying a little bit? We got that too? You got a “thing” for Muppets? Don’t worry about it! Do you think your therapist is your best friend? Us too!
GR: Our aim is to laugh, cry and inform. We also want to do a play about mental health that isn’t an hour of sadness or trauma but something that people can see and either be educated or see themselves relating to in a chaotic, clown mess.
Where are you playing, and why that venue?
AW: We’ll be at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre from 15-17th of August.
GR: At 8:30pm, not too late not too early, the perfect time for an hour long show.
What was the inspiration behind Bea. P. Deigh then?
AW: I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2020 after nearly two decades of struggling with my mental health. The diagnosis was a relief in that I finally had a name to what I was feeling, but the more I Googled, the more aware I became of the deeply entrenched stigma surrounding the diagnosis. Many mental health professionals flat-out refuse to treat people diagnosed with BPD because we’re considered “lost causes” which, if you do your research, is patently untrue. And media representations of the disorder are equally as unkind, so as a creative, I felt compelled to put a different narrative onstage so those with BPD can finally see themselves as they truly are.
How long have you been working on this play?
AW: The show itself is three years into its development. It started as a final project for my Masters in Acting at Mountview, but after a one-night fringe run after I graduated, I was compelled to keep developing and producing it.
Is the version coming to Camden Fringe how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
AW: It is and it isn’t – the original project had a time limit of 30 minutes, but I wrote it with the idea that it could be added onto and elongated into a fully developed piece. The first bit of the show is more or less what was presented at Mountview with a few rewrites, and everything in the second half of the show is new and developed with my director Grainne.
GR: The beautiful dancing is all Arden and Daniel Keogh, I have two left feet.
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
AW: That she’s me, technically. Or rather, Bea is a physical amalgamation of this condition that’s taken up residence in my brain. Then when I transition into the client that she controls, that’s really just my time to talk openly and frankly about how this over-the-top character actually affects my life.
How challenging has it been to put yourself on show like this then?
AW: It’s been a journey of discovering how best to tell the story without damaging myself in the process. Autobiographical performance is amazing, but given the subject matter and what I talk about every night, I’ve had to put a lot of safety measures in place to protect my own peace as the performer. It’s exhausting, but I’ve gotten to a place where it’s almost cathartic, a bit of therapy for me every night.
What do you hope audiences think about your character?
AW: I hope that they see the hilarious duality of Bea – she’s absolutely awful and crass and gross, but deep down she’s looking for companionship and purpose.
Grainne, what was it that attracted you to this project originally?
GR: I was actually working with Arden on another project when she mentioned this play and instantly I was like, “Send it over.” Clown and mental health? I am in. BPD is also a subject that feels really stigmatizing and the way Arden writes and explores it at both its most basic and understandable form but also interesting and enlightening. We had some lovely audience members from BPD online support groups who thanked Arden after the show and brought their partners along to feel heard and seen. So lovely (thank you, if you are reading).
What is your favourite element of the show?
GR: It’s so fun to play between the transitions of characters Arden is playing. The challenge of keeping the show upbeat about a topic that can at times be dark is fun for both of us. Also a bit of puppetry(?) You’ll see.
What’s been the biggest challenge in realising Arden’s vision for the show?
GR: As a director it’s a rare and a new experience to work with a piece that is semi-autobiographical and also a sensitive subject matter to both the author and audience. Arden is put through the mental and physical wringer through this piece but it’s trusting each other that we know our limits and creating a safe and fun rehearsal environment. We also eat a lot of blueberries and hug a lot of cats, that helps.
What is it you hope the audience will think after watching the show?
GR: I hope the audience feel more educated on the subject through the experience of real people rather than a DSM-5 textbook definition. Of course the show is not speaking for all people with BPD, that would be silly and insensitive. However, it is a small insight into Borderline Personality Disorder through mainly one person’s autobiographical experience with a bit of educational research/ field research sprinkled in. We hope people feel seen.
Are there any plans for what comes next after August – for you or the show?
AW: I’m getting deported! Not really, but kinda. I’m appealing a rejection of my Global Talent Visa at the minute, and if I get refused again, then I’m getting booted from the country at the end of August. So see the show now before it (potentially) goes to the States for a bit!
GR: …So come see the performance because you may not see it in the UK for a while (I hope you do though, we quite like Arden so we want to keep her here).
What made you decide to be part of Camden Fringe this year?
AW: We just came off of a sold-out run at The Pen Theatre this last January, so we really wanted to keep that momentum going and get our piece in front of as many eyes as we could. The response we got from the BPD/mental health community was overwhelming, so there’s obviously a need for this particular story in the cultural zeitgeist. We’re here to fill that void!
The Lion and Unicorn has a wonderful pub downstairs, will we catch you there after the show?
GR: Please have a drink with us after the show at the pub downstairs, we love talking to you and answering any questions. We may be a bit mentally and physically exhausted though so please excuse if we look blankly into the distance for a minute or two.
AW: I’ll definitely need a pint or two, at the very least.
And lastly, if budget was not an issue, what’s the one thing you’d love to have in your show?
AW: An authentic Gonzo puppet. If you know, you know.
Thanks to Arden and Grainne for taking part in our Camden Fringe Q&A’s. Bea P. Deigh will be playing at Lion and Unicorn Theatre from 15 – 17 August. Further information and tickets available here.
