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The Camden Fringe Interviews
Thesy Surface talks all things Lady Montagu Unveiled
We know we said we’d finished our Camden Fringe Interviews, because surely 45 was enough, but when we got contacted by a Lady, well, how could we refuse such a request. Plus some of us are big fans of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia so we really liked the idea of having one of them on our website! Because yes, we can be easily swayed by a funny idea.
Which is how we found ourselves chatting with Thesy Surface, who is bringing Lady Montagu Unveiled to The Courtyard Theatre from 23 – 25 August.
Great to meet you, why don’t you introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Thesy Surface and I’m the actress and adaptive writer of a punk(ish) one-woman, staged biopic Lady Montagu Unveiled. If you want to know more about me: www.thesy.org I’ll humbly stick to talking just about the show on here.
What can audiences expect then?
A wildly energetic, speed-chronology of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’s life… an 18th century woman before her time! A groundbreaking polymath, scientist and socialite, who travelled to many lands, met so many people and did it all – at a time when it was unusual for a woman to do that.
Where do we find you and the show then?
We’re at Courtyard Theatre. 18th Century staged biopics seem to fit a place called “Courtyard,” don’t they?
What was the inspiration behind the show?
I replaced the original actress at Brighton Fringe in May and adapted the script from Duncan Hopper’s original play, An Evening With Lady Montagu, so inspiration came first from getting cast, then learning about the fascinating historical figure I was going to portray.
Is the version coming to Camden Fringe how you originally envisioned it?
For Brighton I’d already modernised the piece but we now have a new director, Julia Sopher, and it’s gone through another watershed; it’s even more fun and hip. Nothing like keeping this performer and her entire team on their toes, am I right?
What is it about your character that you most enjoy then?
I love being able to play one lady at different stages in her life. The versatility of being Child Lady Mary and Old Lady Mary is heaps of fun. Often the director and I crack up during rehearsals when we do the age switches. They can get a tad Monty Python or Peter Sellers in The Goon Show, so I hope our enjoyment transmits to the audience.
How challenging has this role been for you?
Well, let’s put it this way- after every run-through, I feel like I’ve finished a marathon! Basically, what’s so fun about the show is also what’s hard – constantly using different voices and characters – not just at different stages of Lady M’s life but a handful of additional characters. It’s not a sit-in-a-chair-tell-a-story show, it’s lively and wacky; in a way, it makes fun of dramatic biographies, in a warm hearted way.
What do you hope audiences think about your character?
“Wouldn’t mind having a talk with that Lady M bird, over a Pinot Noir”? Seriously, I hope they come away wanting to know even more about her. Maybe they’ll start looking Lady M up after and seeing how accomplished she was and get to know more about her.
What has been the biggest challenge in realising the writer’s vision for the show?
I’d say the challenge is having to perform, then re-write, perform, then re-write. So many times you don’t know if a piece works until you get it on it’s legs. Similarly you come up with more ideas while rehearsing, then go back to the drawing board. Lots of back-and-forths between acting and typing.
Who do you think the show is aimed at, do you have a particular demographic in mind?
ALL generations. It attracts an older crowd because of the historical subject matter but then it’s so modern in its references that the kids (over 12) will love it too. It’s one of the first shows I’ve been in, where we attracted the broadest ages and nationalities. I had an 18 year old and 90 year old come up and congratulate me after Brighton. American tourists and Turkish citizens loved it too.
You’ve mentioned you did Brighton Fringe, but is that the same show that you’re now bringing to Camden Fringe?
Camden will be the first time we do this version of the show. It’s a new take on the last one. Drumroll, drumroll…
Are there any plans for what comes next after August – for you or the show?
There was a suggestion from the producer we take it to Turkey but we’ll gage audience reactions and what more funding we have available. I do also have my own original one-woman show (based on an unfinished novella I wrote) called Evil Queen In A Tourist Shop, which I might transition to. The main character is more Maleficent or Cruella than Lady M but I’m deeply connected to her story… plus she’s spying for the government, so that’s always fun. I always like having a lot of projects on the go. (Maybe that makes me a tad like Lady M.)
Is there a question we should have asked you?
How’s my mental health the closer we get to show maybe. I’ll keep that to myself.
Big thanks to Thesy for finding the time to chat with us. Lady Montagu Unveiled will play at The Courtyard Theatre 23 – 25 August. Further information and bookings can be found here.
