Maria Mainelli’s Fly Trap
For Camden Fringe 2025 we aim to publish at least 100 interviews to highlight just how much range there is to what is on offer for this festival now celebrating its 19th year. You will be able to find all our Camden Fringe interviews here, updated daily throughout July.
One of the shows opening on the first day of the festival, 28 July, is Maria Mainelli‘s Fly Trap, a story of being an artist, licking an armpit, and losing yourself. Covering topics such as middle school pool parties, braces, and the horrors of getting a degree in the arts, there’s certainly seems a lot to unpack here. Luckily, we got some time with Maria to do just that.
Fly Trap plays at Barons Court Theatre from 28 July to 2 August. Further information and tickets available here.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Your inner middle schooler needs to see this show. It’s the journey of a young artist but more than that, it’s a hilarious story about growing up awkward. You’ll see yourself in Maria’s story, from the desperation for an end of the year party invite to losing yourself to what other people want from you. It’s a show full of heart, heartbreak, and a hell of a lot of humor.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
I’ve been touring this show since January! I’ve been to Pittsburgh Fringe, NYC SoloCOM, Atlanta Fringe, Blixt Arts Collective, the Atlanta Theatre and it’s soon to be seen at Edinburgh Fringe and the PIT Loft in NYC.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
I never meant to show anyone this show. I wanted to heal and to laugh at myself and I ended up falling in love with my own story.
How long have you been working on the play?
It was about three years, from conception to the stage
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
It’s stayed fairly consistent but I’ve added a lot of silly elements
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
I have absolutely nothing. Just me, a screen, and my most embarrassing memories.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run– for you or the show?
I’ll be at Edinburgh Fringe from 4 – 11 August (tickets here) and at the PIT in NYC on 5 September. After that, I’ll be gearing up to perform my next show, currently titled Baby Bipolar.
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be, and why?
It would be a bright daisy yellow because this show feels like sunshine for my soul. And I think it feels that way for the audience too.
If your show had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it, and why?
The number one track would be “Why Not” by Hillary Duff. Because like she said “if you miss a little, you might miss a lot”. And I missed a lot when I wanted so badly to be liked by everyone.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
I would love to have a whole classroom set up that changes with the stories, from elementary school to college dance classes!
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
Stop waiting for permission. I wasted years waiting for someone to tell me I was ready when the only one telling me I wasn’t was me.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Go big or go home!! And by big I mean big support of other artists, big ideas, and big confidence that whatever weird thing you come up with is absolutely worthy of being seen.
Is there a question missing that you feel we should be asking you?
I’m an international artist, if that’s of any interest! I’m originally from Nebraska, USA but I’m now based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I also have a solid tiktok following (mariamarinarasauce)
Our thanks to Maria for taking the time to tell us about Fly Trap. The show plays at Barons Court Theatre from 28 July to 2 August for Camden Fringe.
