My Festival: Andrea Baker
There are thousands of shows in Edinburgh this month. Please explain why we should come and see yours.
Tales of Transatlantic Freedom is a theatrical journey unlike anything else at the Fringe. Through music, and first-person narratives from the African diaspora, my co-creator Howard Moody and I explore and highlight humanities interconnectedness and how through music we can find reconciliation and understanding. We unearth unusual and surprising links between Scotland and African diaspora narratives and how it continues to influence our music and creativity today. This show features a huge breadth of musical styles, newly interpreted and explored. We explicitly don’t provide a set-list as surprise is a vital part of the experience.
What will we learn from your show that we didn’t know before?
That is a loaded question! One of the exciting things about creating this new show with Howard and our director John Paul McGroarty was our collective journey of the new, musically, theatrically, and historically. Uncovering untold stories, communities and their music and bringing that to life together for our audiences. This year we begin to uncover the long history of African diaspora in Nova Scotia, often thought of as a largely Scottish settled community, when in truth the African story has been there from the beginning.
Who or what was the biggest inspiration for your show?
The biggest inspiration for this show is the collective influence and memory of the Ancestors. I feel them in their words, music, movement and legacy. As an artist there is nothing more exciting than channelling that power and their amazing ability to survive in my performance practice. There is so much to be grateful for and explore.
What’s the best review you’ve ever had, and the worst?
The best reviews are always from our audiences. How they feel about the experience is always in the moment and visceral. Each country I visit with Sing Sistah Sing! shows brings new connections and a new understanding of how we are connecting and honestly sharing our humanity through theatre and a live experience. While reviews in the news and online are part of the job, my most important critic is my audience.
Who or what are you most excited about seeing this year?
Across the festivals, I’m excited that Alvin Ailey is returning, a must-see dance troupe, also channelling the Ancestors. Mamoru Iriguchi’s new piece at Summerhall, What You See When Your When Your Eyes Are Closed/What You Don’t See When Your Eyes Are Open. His work always explores the connection between audience and performer, a brilliant voice in Scottish theatre. Also, Ayanna Witter-Johnson at the Hub in the EIF, an extraordinary young composer really pushing the envelope.
Who do you most like spending time with in Edinburgh?
Friends, as I am so often on the road. When I am back home in Scotland there is nothing better than seeing them in our beautiful city to catch up over a pint!
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
I love to bake, I travel with a complete set of baking utensils and appliances. I often bake for cast and crew while away performing or rehearsing.
What are the best and worst things that have happened to you at a festival?
Best is always discovering new talent and new voices. Derevo at my first Fringe in 2005 still has an effect on me. Worst is the lack of diversity across festivals internationally and here at home, and how that is manifested in the experience for Global Majority Ethnic visitors and performers.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?
Cup of Jogi Green Tea is the first thing in the morning and last thing at night, no matter where I am in the world, is to be quietly thankful for health and the people I love in my life.
Thanks for the interview! We’d like to buy you a drink. Where are we going and what are we drinking?
Easy, Café Royal in Edinburgh and a glass or two of Champagne! I am an opera singer at heart you know!
Tales of Transatlantic Freedom, Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 15-19 August, 8.55pm.