A Fringe first timer is bringing his new, no holds barred adaptation of a best selling American autobiography to the Edinburgh stage.
I Am Not Myself These Days is set in 1990s New York where Aqua is an alcoholic drag queen desperately trying to make a relationship work with Jack, a high-class crack addicted rent boy.
The show is adapted and performed for the stage by Tom Stuart from Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s autobiography, a bestselling, darkly funny memoir of a young New Yorker’s daring dual life – advertising art director by day, glitter-dripping drag queen by night.
Directed by Nick Bagnall, this one-man show that is by turns brutal, funny and heartbreaking, a surprising tale of love and loss, set amidst the excesses of late 20th century New York.
Although the characters pride themselves on their unconventionality, their problems are universal. Tom Stuart was moved to adapt the novel for the stage to bring the personal journeys of marginalised members of society within LGBTQ communities – and those who live with addiction – into a wider context, seeking to help break down the barriers of prejudice.
Tom Stuart has worked extensively in theatre around the UK. His TV work includes Kathy Burke’s Walking and Talking, Psychobitches, Little Crackers and Law and Order. Films include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Michael Winterbottom’s The Look of Love’, and John Boorman’s Queen and Country.
Director Nick Bagnall has recently become Associate Director at Liverpool Everyman and has previously worked with both classics and musicals ranging from ‘Guys and Dolls’ to Joe Orton’s ‘Entertaining Mr Sloane’ He has created and led acting and directing workshops for the RSC, National Theatre, Liverpool Playhouse, and West Yorkshire Playhouse.
I Am Not Myself These Days is produced by Fuel, three time Herald Angel Award winners Fuel. Founded in 2004 and led by Louise Blackwell and Kate McGrath, Fuel produces fresh work for adventurous audiences by inspiring artists. Fuel is also presenting Fiction by David Rosenberg and Glen Neath and Racheal Ofori’s Portrait by at this years Fringe. Fuel is also Associate Producer on Clod Ensemble’s The Red Chair
I Am Not Myself These Days
Pleasance Beneath (Venue 33)
5-30 Aug (not 17, 24)
4.15pm (75 mins)
Tickets from http://www.pleasance.co.uk
Submitted by Martin Mouth
