EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Mother's Ruin

Tell us a bit about Mother's Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin.
So, Mother's Ruin is a cabaret about the history of gin. We take audiences through true tales we've discovered about gin, using music we love by artists like Martha Wainwright, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Tom Waits, Jessie J, The Popes, The Pretenders and loads more. Researching gin (like actually reading about it not just drinking it!) showed us that there's more to the history than just the practical side of making gin. The stories we unearthed touch on themes like colonialism, women's liberation, prohibition and propaganda. So it's tipsy history lesson, meets comedy, meets musical storytelling. With gin.

And you're serving gin?

Oh yes! We'll be serving an Australian gin called Four Pillars Gin which is made in the Australian bush with lots of native botanicals. We figured we couldn't come to the U.K. performing a show about a product you made famous - gin - without showing off a little of what's on offer from Australia. It's part of the story, that a spirit made in bathtubs in London in the 1700s has evolved into this boutique beverage with such variation around the world.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

We've been touring Mother's Ruin extensively in Australia and we're really keen to bring it to international audiences. The world's largest arts market is the logical place to start! We've also got shows in Bristol, London and Birmingham. A UK tour is also a great excuse to try a LOT of Scottish and English gins.

Who would you recommend comes to see Mother's Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin?
Obviously gin-lovers are fans of the show, but lots of people have said that you don't need to drink gin to enjoy it. Anyone who's a bit of a history buff, especially those interested in women's histories, if you like your comedy nerdy and playful, if you like your cabaret theatrical, if you love good music, especially vocal harmonies... Obviously we think everyone should come to the show!

How has reception for the show been so far?

The reception in Australia has been amazing so we've been having a wonderful time touring the show. We've sold out shows at Sydney Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Perth Fringe World, Melbourne Cabaret Festival and Festival of Voices, as well as pop up Spiegeltent events in Hobart and Wollongong. We've got a few more Australian gigs before we head to the UK as well. The critical response has been great and we've received a couple of award nominations. Audiences say they come expecting a few tunes about gin and a joke here and there and are delighted to discover how much has gone into the storytelling and history, how much they learned and how fun the show is. The best thing about the reception is how often people buy us a G&T afterwards...