The Waiting, The Libra Theatre Café
We’re almost at the end of July and that means the final interviews for artists appearing at this year’s Camden Fringe. Over the month we’ve published more than 100 interviews to give you a real feel of what this amazing festival has to offer. You can find all those interviews here. Of course, more importantly, if you haven’t already booked tickets to go and see any of the shows, then why not? The festival kicked off on Monday and runs for four weeks, so get booking here NOW.
Nina-Lou Bricard‘s The Waiting is coming to The Libra Theatre Cafe from 22 to 24 August, tickets available here. Which is more than can be said about Maeva, who hasn’t even shown up for her wedding! And because we all love a little wedding day drama, it seemed only sensible to grab some time with Nina-Lou and ask the all important questions.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Maeva is not waiting for anything. She is simply enjoying her own company. An unusual thing to be doing on your wedding day, but luckily for Maeva she never made it to the altar. She’s left a trail of destruction behind her all her life, so what’s one scorned groom?
Will she ever get her diet martini?
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
We performed it in May at Launch Festival at East15 Acting school, part of the 3rd years last project before graduating.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
Maeva is based off a character I used to play from Samantha Begeman’s Debut play “Are you there Moriarty”. When I was writing what was supposed to be just a one minute monologue for my showcase, I asked her “what more does she have to say?” so the writing kind of “happened”, every statement giving me more and more silly ideas.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
I definitely got more surprised every time I was writing it. As I said, it was supposed to be just a one minute performance. I never envisioned it to be where it is now with so much political statements.
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
I like how free she is. She says whatever comes in her mind with boldness and assurance.
How challenging has this role been for you?
It’s challenging enough so I want to do it more and more every single time.
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
Luckily for us the world of the play is in limbo between reality and Maeva’s chaotic brain! This was a gift in terms of production design because it’s given us total freedom to play around in a world that we create (also allowing us to create around budget and fringe set restrictions).
How important is audience interaction to you?
The audience is a character unto themselves in The Waiting. They totally exist within Maeva’s world and are essential as her sounding board, judges and adoring fans. Maeva simply could not survive without her entourage there to give her every ounce of their attention!
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
We are performing it at Voilà Festival in November 2025 and the writer is thinking about translating it in French to perform it at Avignon Festival 2026.
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
Purple – In French : Violet which has a double meaning in my native language. I’ll let you look into it!
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be?
It would be rotten cocktail shrimps. Beautiful on the outside, disgusting on the inside.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
Material Girl from Madonna – this song summarise the show perfectly.
What is the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show?
I guess it would be the lobster – My director brought it as a joke but we ended up finding this little fellow his time and space! It is just a silly gadget.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
You are scared, second guessing yourself ? So be it. Do it scared.
Our thanks to Nina=Lou for the chat. The Waiting plays at The Libra Theatre Café from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August.
