Amy’s Big Smoke

Multi award-winning Edinburgh Fringe favourites Theatre Ad Infinitum bring their production The Big Smoke to the Brighton Fringe Festival (Upstairs at Three and Ten, Brighton Fringe, May 6-8, 10, 11).

Inspired by the lives and works of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath and American poet Anne Sexton, The Big Smoke is a one-woman show performed by Canadian actor Amy Nostbakken and directed by Nir Paldi.

Nir said: “The Big Smoke is by turns dramatic, amusing, poignant and, ultimately, tragic. Sung a cappella throughout, the story revolves around brilliant young artist Nathalie and the – often very funny – characters she meets along the way: brash Americans, pompous socialites, patronizing gossips, pig-headed men...

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“However, quick, witty and sincere, Nathalie’s honesty is no protection against a world that demands we fit in. Drily witty to the last, she spirals into madness and suicide.

Nir added: “The words of this dark and powerful story are expressed entirely through the wonderfully versatile singing of Amy Nostbakken, who voices all the characters as well as Nathalie herself.

“Traditionally, emotive subject matter in performance often employs music and song, from the ancient Greek chorus to musicals, operas and film. We’ve just taken this in a new direction.”

Amy added: “In terms of style, the show definitely has its roots in a jazzy early 1960s style. The costume also nods to the 1950s, when women were women and men were men and each of our roles in society were keenly defined.

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“Each character in the show presents a particular style, melody and voice quality - Peggy Lee, The Beatles, The Chordettes’ hits of the 1950s… In order to reflect her mood, Nathalie herself jumps from jazz to pop, Bjork to blues, 60s folk to 90s rock and reggae, all blended into a seamless whole.”

The Big Smoke comes to Upstairs at Three and Ten on May 6, 7, 8 and 10, 11. The performance begins at 5pm on May 6-8 and 8.30pm on May 10 and 11. Tickets on 01273 917272 or visit www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk.

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