Whirligig Theatre Presents THE OLYMPIC GENE

Forget London 2012. Edinburgh 2010 is the start of the real Olympic campaign for performer and writer Becky Brunning.

Becky and her great grandfather William LeBeau were born exactly 100 years apart. He won a medal for gymnastics in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics; she can see the London stadium from her bedroom window.

Faced with such overwhelming serendipity, she cannot ignore destiny's sweet call. Lacking experience, elegance and gymnastic ability, she launches on a bold and spirited quest to discover just how far DNA can take you.

A unique and Herculean mix of physical storytelling, stand-up comedy and idiosyncratic puppetry, The Olympic Gene celebrates the legacies we all leave, Olympic or otherwise.

The Olympic Gene is delighted to be supported by British Gymnastics, and includes interviews with the Men's British Gymnastic team including Beijing 2008 Bronze medal winner Louis Smith.

PERFORMER/ WRITER BECKY BRUNNING

Becky is excited to be returning to Edinburgh having trained at Queen Margaret University College before attending the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA), from where she just graduated. Previous fringe experience includes Revival and Ysabelle in Terry Pratchett's Mort for Desperados and multiple roles in devised show Tom for Snowangels Theatre. Reviews from Tom:
‘acutely observed... great performances by the entire cast' Fest ****
‘A company of strong and adept young actors...script was so well written and executed, amalgamating in an ingenious ending.' **** Three Weeks
Recently she has been co-creator and performer of a darkly humourous cabaret act The Fritzl Family Singers at various venues around London as well as writing and performing for the comedy sketch collective Kaylosia who have just completed their first audio pilot.

DIRECTOR/ WRITER SUSANNA HISLOP

This year she is also directing and performing in Of Women and Horses I Have Known at the Underbelly with her own company Slip of Steel. Before LISPA Susanna trained at the Oxford School of Drama and studied at Cambridge where she was a member of Footlights.
In Edinburgh she has had three highly successful and critically acclaimed shows with the comedy sketch group The Umbrella Birds: WC, Underbelly (2007); Gym, Pleasance Courtyard (2008); and Sketches in a Shop Changing Room, Assembly Rooms (2009) ****Steve Bennett, Chortle. They have just finished recording their second BBC Radio 4 series. 2009 also saw her performing in the highly acclaimed and Fringe First winning show Hotel directed by Mark Watson Mark Fisher**** The List.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: Laughing Horse@The Hive
15-17 Niddry Street EH1 1LG
Dates: 12-29 August (Not 14th&15th)
www.theolympicgene.com