Kateryna Gopenko on the Dark Fantasy Magic of Sevrin Fay
After the success of our 2025 Camden Fringe Interview series, we thought it only right to attempt a repeat for 2026. So throughout July we’ll be publishing new interviews each day to give a taste of what to expect from London’s best fringe theatre festival. The festival starts Monday 3 August this year, so we may give ourselves a couple of days off inbetween the end of the interviews and the first shows… then again, we might not.
You can find out more about Camden Fringe, along with details of every show playing this August here. You can also find all of this year’s interviews as they are published here.
In an increasingly unstable world, where logic fails to soothe our deep anxieties about the future, where do we turn for answers? For thousands of years, humanity has leaned into the supernatural during times of great upheaval. This August, Sevrin Fay is bringing an enchanting remedy to The Water Rats for Camden Fringe 2026. This dark fantasy dreamfolk experience blends sweeping acoustic soundscapes, featuring the Celtic harp, violin, and percussion, with ancient Scandinavian storytelling and live runic divination.
We sat down with creator Kateryna Gopenko to discuss the ancient art of the skald, why there are no coincidences in live theatre, and the hilariously brutal career advice that keeps her making art against all odds.
If you had to describe the vibe of your show in just one sentence, what would it be and how does it manifest on stage?
A Northern mystery where the boundaries between the present, past, and future are blurred.
Our show features music and singing (vocals, Celtic harp, violin, percussion, bass), a brief history of the world (from creation to Ragnarök), and most importantly, everyone who attends will receive a prophecy of their fate using runes, ancient magical Scandinavian symbols.
Why is 2026 the perfect time for this show to be seen?
In 2026, many people are living in a state of uncertainty. The world is unstable, and we torment ourselves endlessly with questions: What does tomorrow hold for me? Will I have enough money for what I need? Will I find true love? Will I make a breakthrough in my career?
For thousands of years, people have found themselves in such a situation, and every time when it was impossible to make plans or answer questions purely on logic, the supernatural came to the forefront. Let the runes answer all your questions today. Believe me, runic divination today is just as insightful as trying to predict the future in a world that has already weathered a pandemic, a war, and an energy crisis.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
In our show, we’ll be using soundscapes. Music and sound will accompany every word. With their help, we’ll create musical landscapes, emotional scenes, and a single, harmonious story. You’ll be able to experience our concert even with your eyes closed, for two hours, sight will no longer be your primary sense. Stories and songs that spark the imagination, that is the art of the skald, the ancient Scandinavian bard. That is what we are aiming for in this concert.
How important is audience interaction to you?
Interacting with the audience is the most important part of our show. Absolutely everyone who comes will take away one important message with them that evening. I truly believe that there are no coincidences. And if you happen to be in this hall at this time, it means there is something important you need to hear. As for how it will be conveyed to you, whether through a song, a story, or a prophecy, that is not for me to decide. It will be decided by the universe, which never ceases to send us signs.
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be, and why?
Purple. Because purple is the colour of magic. And if for a moment you thought we were here to make music, tell stories, or put on plays, that’s an illusion. In reality, we’re here to conjure up magic.
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 set up a huge Yggdrasil tree on stage, connecting the three realms; the heavenly realm of the gods, the middle realm of humans, and the underworld of the giants. And as the story unfolds, from the creation of the world to its end, I would descend lower and lower on a moving platform. With the final words and the last song, I would soar above the stage on invisible strings because… well, simply because I’ve always dreamed of soaring above the stage.
(P.S. That’s not in the script!)
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
The best advice I ever received was this: “If you can avoid getting involved in the arts, do so. At best, it will bring you alcoholism and a semblance of moral satisfaction. But you definitely won’t find money or an easy life there.”
God, how right my advisor was. Unfortunately, I can’t help but pursue art. And look at that, I already have moral satisfaction. Let’s move on!
Many thanks to Kateryna for taking time out to chat with us. Sevrin Fay plays at The Water Rats for one performance only on Tuesday 11 August.
