Interviews

Interview: Happy and Homeless(?) at Camden Fringe

The Camden Fringe Interviews

Laura Mobilia on directing and performing in The Happy Homeless

It is estimated there are currently around 12,000 homeless people in London, all with their own unique stories explaining how they ended up in this position. Writer Celia Munich, along with Lauetmo Production Company, focus on just one of these stories for The Happy Homeless.

Want to know more? So did we, so we invited Laura Mobilia, who is both directing and performing in the show, to take a break from rehearsals to answer some questions for us.

The Happy Homeless will play at The Water Rats on 18th and 19th August as part of Camden Fringe.


Welcome to ET, would you like to introduce yourself.

I am Laura Mobilia the Director and performer in The Happy Homeless

Where will we find the show in August then?

We are going to be on the 18 & 19 August at 7.30pm at The Water Rats. We think it’s a really cool venue and it’s a great opportunity to bring theatre to a pub known for bands. 

What can audiences expect?

They can expect to find a show with music, original songs and a deep and profound story, showing the life of a Latin American person and the struggles she finds when coming to London. 

As a performer, what was it that drew to this role?

It’s a role very close to my heart as the story is set in my hometown. And even though I haven’t been in the same situations as the character, I can relate to the fact that I came to London with big dreams and the reality ended up being different. 

What is it about your character that you most enjoy?

I enjoy exploring a different tone of emotions, going through some videos from my country (Argentina) and a bit of tango music. I also get to sing which is also something that I really like. 

How challenging has this role been for you?

Very challenging and very demanding, as it takes a lot of my time to rehearse and to find different aspects of the character with which I can play with. 

What do you hope audiences think about your character?

I hope they will like it and they will find it very tender and endearing as I do.

As a director, what was it that attracted you to this project originally?

That I was going to be able to direct my own play, in which I’m also performing. It’s a big challenge but I was willing to take the risk. 

What is your favourite element of the show?

The mixture of music, songs, tango, video and performance. 

What has been the biggest challenge in realising the writer’s vision for the show?

I worked very closely with the writer, Celia Munich, and I think the text has a deep story that I hope I am able to bring it the best possible way to the audience. 

Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage?

This show was done initially for a Scratch Night which went really well and we decided to make it a proper and longer play for the Camden Fringe. It has changed in length but its essence is the same. 

Being Camden Fringe, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this?

We managed to use what we have, which is a minimum set up and we base everything in the performance, plus the music and videos. 

What made you decide to be part of Camden Fringe this year?

We wanted to experience what it feels like to have a show at this main event and see what the outcome is. 

What words of advice would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?

Spend time to rehearse and prepare a good show, you never know where it can lead to. 

Will you be frequenting the bar afterwards to chat to people about the show?

We hope they stay to chat with us after. Especially those that are friends or family. It’s good to always have people that knows our effort and are there to encourage us. Hopefully they will ask about the rehearsal process and what made us choose this story to bring to the stage. 

If you had to describe your show as a meal?

An imaginary meal, or maybe a simple sandwich with old bread and cheese, as this is what the main character eats.

If budget was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery / set you’d love to have in your show?

Built a quiet London street with lights, a phone booth and an old seat taken from a park itself. 


Many thanks to Laura for taking the time to chat. You can catch The Happy Homeless when it plays at The Water Rats between 18th and 19th August. Further information and tickets available here.

Everything Theatre

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