Lauren Derry on ‘Caravan Tea Party’
After the success of our 2025 Camden Fringe Interviews, we thought it only right to attempt a repeat for 2026. So throughout July we published over 60 interviews to give a taste of what to expect from London’s best fringe theatre festival. The plan was to stop there, but as shows are still coming to us asking for interviews, we thought we’d do a few more! But we have to stop soon, we’re also very busy seeing the shows now.
You can find out more about Camden Fringe, along with details of every show playing here. You can also find all of this year’s interviews at here.
At a time when media representation of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities often remains stuck in two-dimensional tropes, Caravan Tea Party offers an authentic, highly personal counter-narrative. Written and performed by Lauren Derry, this solo show follows a 20-something mixed-heritage Anglo-Romany and Irish Traveller on a surreal journey through memory and make-believe in search of a lost caravan. Heading to the Etcetera Theatre later this month, Lauren sat down with us to discuss reclaiming working-class heritage, climbing through giant cardboard computer screens, and using theatre to foster compassion.
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 20-something mixed-heritage Anglo-Romany and Irish Traveller searching for a lost caravan through a land of make-believe, culminating in a deep penetration of the psyche.
Why is 2026 the perfect time for this show to be seen?
Considering the success of Channel 4’s Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives, the breaking down of stereotypes of women from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities is growing. Women from these communities exist as more than two-dimensional caricatures and should be represented in the arts/entertainment/media spaces accordingly.
What was the ‘eureka moment’ that made you realise this story had to be told right now?
My eureka moment came the week before I graduated from the MA at Drama Studio London last July. As I stood on the precipice of my new life and career, I realised that of my Romany family, I am the first person to not only obtain A Levels and an Undergraduate degree but also a master’s with distinction. Coming from a working-class background, the emphasis on education being the route out is heavy. So, it was time to be brave, to use what I learned to showcase a very realistic portrayal. I’m proud of my heritage and where I come from; why shouldn’t I be?
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
The earliest iterations of this project were created during a 2nd year ‘Personal Histories’ project while studying at The University of the Arts London, writing a monologue about my dad’s caravan. Following this, for my 3rd year dissertation, I created a lecture performance titled ‘Gypsies in Film’ which explored how representations affect audiences’ perceptions of the GRT communities. After which, I left it alone as I wasn’t sure how to turn a monologue and an academic piece into a more long-form narrative. Until I met with Dan Allum of The Romany Theatre Company, who encouraged me to write from experience rather than feeling like I had to know every fact about the communities; he went through everything with me, reading every draft, returning with notes, questions and follow-up meetings. All in all, it’s changed a lot since those earliest versions, and I’m super excited to have seen it through to fruition.
Being fringe and a festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this?
With a lot of cardboard! And like most, we’ve chosen a few key props that are physically required to tell the story, leaving the rest to the imagination.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
We hope to develop this project further and take it to the Edinburgh Fringe next year for a full run. As to how to get there, we shall cross that bridge!
What does “success” look like for you this August, beyond just selling tickets?
Success is being part of a greater whole; the sheer body of work on at Camden this year is unreal, with everyone telling such unique stories they care about; I’m grateful to be a part of it. Similarly, seeing this project through is a success and if anyone leaves seeing Roma with a little more compassion that will also be a job well done.
If your show had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it?
Dizzee Rascal’s “Excuse Me Please” because it’s about searching for answers, being confused, struggling with the system, yet by the end, he’s found hope in people, his surroundings and from within himself.
What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show, and how did it come to be part of the production?
The giant cardboard computer screen we climb through to enter the memory world.
Many thanks to Lauren for her time. Caravan Tea Party will play at Etcetera Theatre on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August.
