EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Bubble Revolution

BWW speaks to Kasia Lech about her upcoming Edinburgh Fringe performance in Bubble Revolution.

Tell us a bit about Bubble Revolution.

Bubble Revolution is a story of a girl growing up in 1980s and 1990s Poland, so when communism was falling down. It was written by Julia Holewinska, a multi-awarded Polish playwright. The main character, Wiktoria, or, as she calls herself, Vica, tells about her first experiences of tasting Nutella, Coca-Cola, first hair growing under her arms, cheap wine, and sexual initiation. These overlap with Poland defeating communism and stepping into the world of democracy and capitalism. Vica grows up as women are being written out of history. There is Polish music, scents from the past, photographs, and, most importantly, Polish sweets to try. And Vica's story is really a manifesto of Poles born in 1980s, who are the biggest group that emigrated from Poland to the UK after Poland joined the EU in May 2004. Many of them are still here, working, living amongst Scottish, English, Welsh, Cornish, Irish, and other communities of the UK. According to the 2011 census, Poles are the second-largest foreign community in the UK. Bubble Revolution is a wonderful opportunity to hear and experience our story and, perhaps, to evoke other, not necessary Polish, memories of growing up. And I hope this will also encourage all of us to rethink how we relate to the word 'foreign'...

Is this your first time performing at the Fringe?

Yes! This is also the bravest thing I have ever done! When I say this, people look at me strangely and say, but you moved from Poland to Ireland all by yourself, surely this is not as scary... But it is. I am going to perform a one-woman show in two different languages (there
are both English- and Polish-language performances). I will be all by myself as my director is getting married and he'll be on his honeymoon in Japan! However, the most important thing is that Vica's story matters to me not only as an actor, but also on a personal level. I recognize myself and my friends' stories in the play. And for me Vica's story is a platform to challenge recent negativity surrounding Poles in the UK, these harming stereotypes. I find them very hurtful and starting a discussion about them is very important to me. And here is the scary thing... There will be thousands of other shows in Edinburgh... And I am not afraid of negative reviews as every criticism is ultimately a signpost to development. But I am terrified that no one will care... But at the same time I am also excited about a potential for a discussion that the Fringe creates.

Do you think you know what to expect?

I have no idea. I know there is an incredible variety of shows at the Fringe and that the atmosphere is very unique. I try to take part in Twitter discussions to understand the spirit... My gut tells me that this is a festival in the truest meaning of this word: carnival-like celebration. I look forward to being able to dress up and behave like a 5-year old under the pretence of advertising the show. I cannot wait to talk to people from all around the world, see as many shows, and attend as many workshops as I can. I am also delighted that one of my students (I work as a lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University) was funded by the University to travel with me and provide technical support for Bubble Revolution. Well, he actually graduates this year from our technical theatre pathway, so this is a wonderful opportunity for him. Josh How, remember that name!

What sets Bubble Revolution apart from other shows at the Fringe?

Polish sweets, obviously! You can experience Bubble Revolution both in Polish and English or, more accurately, in English with a Polish accent and a slight touch of Irish ('Dublenese'), which reflects a complex identity of many Poles living abroad. Each show will give an
audience opportunity to learn a Polish word or two. Bubble Revolution is also so much more than a show. It is a whole multimedia platform. There is a website with a virtual exhibition of life in 1980s and 1990s Poland, full of memories, photographs, and videos (like the opening of the first McDonald's in Poland attended by key politicians!): www.bubblerevolution.com. There are videos that teach Polish words through eating sweets and a Twitter account (@Bubble_Rev) that shares and translates scents, flavours, and sounds of Poland that I grew up in. In other words, the audience has plenty of things to engage with before and after the show. And I want to meet my audience after the performances, go to the pub, coffee shop, a park bench, and chat about their own memories. I am also offering free storytelling sessions to groups that wouldn't be able to come to the theatre... These sessions would be based on memories collected for the website.

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

Hundreds! Some of these are at the same time as Bubble Revolution and I won't get to see them, The Blue Box or Communicate, for example! There are shows I want to see because of personal links; I want to go and see and support another Polish actor, Kamila Klamut and her Camille; and on my day off I plan to see Agent of Influence, created by my colleagues Jessica Beck and Sarah Sigal. I am in the New Town Theatre, so, obviously, I want to support people I share the space with, The Peony Pavilion from China looks particularly very interesting. I think Chinese productions appealed to me a lot in the programme: I also want to see The Fool (I hope the audience can compete in their game of foolishness). I like history, so I already spotted Immortal. As a trained puppeteer, I have an interest in form, so Finding Joy, Machine, and Meet Fred Looks like shows for me. And Techies: The Musical is such a great idea. I am also planning to explore some of the Fringe's guilty pleasures like Imaginary Porno Charades. And then there is the Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival that has many great events on as well (Renoir for example)... I may place a classified ad: 'a Polish actor with a mission and a time-travelling show, looks for a travel machine...' There is this saying in Polish that a shoemaker walks barefoot...

Ticket information and timings for Bubble Revolution can be found on the edfringe website.

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