EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- The Girl Who Jumped Off The Hollywood Sign

Tell us a bit about The Girl Who Jumped Off The Hollywood Sign.

'The Girl Who Jumped Off The Hollywood Sign' is inspired by the secrets of the Golden Age of Hollywood. It is the story of an aspiring actress, Evie Edwards (Stage Name), who goes to Hollywood during the Second World War and works her way through the Studio System in pursuit of the illusive dream that Hollywood sells so well. The show tells not only Evie's perspective of the Dream Factory, but also the stories of Hollywood Starlets who discovered the true price of fame.

Written and performed by JoAnne Hartstone and directed by Vince Fusco, this solo play with music premiered in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe, where it won the Holden Street Theatre Award and the Made In Adelaide Award. It then travelled to Hollywood where it was awarded Pick Of The Fringe, won the Producers Encore Award, and was nominated for Best International Show, the Soaring Solo Artist Award, the Distinctive Voices Award and the Larry Cornwall Award for Music, and received the Critics Choice Award by Better Lemons.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

I have been working in the Edinburgh Fringe since 2008. I blissfully worked my way from Flyerer to Publicity Liaison to Company General Manager for Guy Masterson's Theatre Tours International until 2014, and then became an industry accredited Producer and presented international shows under my own banner. However, I have always wanted to present my own artistic work in the festival that I love so much. Performing in the Edinburgh Fringe will be one of those life goals that I set myself a very long time ago. I have enough respect for the enormity (and expense) of the festival that I would never bring something that I did not think was truely worthy, and it is with great pride that I present 'The Girl Who Jumped Off The Hollywood Sign'.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

The production is a nostalgic trip back to a time, incorporating the sound of the 1940's, and the forgotten histories of Hollywood's leading women. The play has been given the tick of approval by Hollywood itself, and has been reviewed very positively. It is a solo show - so that doesn't quite set it apart from many Edinburgh Fringe shows - but this story is bigger than just one person on stage. Oh - and we build the H of the Hollywood Sign at Assembly Roxy, so that is pretty special too.

Who would you recommend comes to see you?

It's a perfect "first show of the day" - being at 11.30am! 'The Girl Who Jumped Off The Hollywood Sign' is a high quality theatrical production with singing and dancing, that would suit anyone with a liking for classic Hollywood movies, music from the era and anyone who enjoys a good feminist historical drama. And if you like Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe or Bette Davis... this show is for you!

Are there any other shows you're hoping to catch at the festival?

I'm looking forward to seeing the other shows under the Made In Adelaide umbrella. South Australia fosters incredible performing artists and the quality of their work is always very high. I'm excited to see the new show by Patch Of Blue, and Eva O'Connor is absolutely brilliant. I also enjoy seeing anything by Dyad Productions, and Guy Masterson is always a guaranteed hit. Plus David Calvitto is directing a new show... It's going to be a wonderful fringe!

Timings and ticket information for The Girl Who Jumped Off The Hollywood Sign are available on the edfringe website.

Photo Credit: Vince Fusco