From California. To Edinburgh
- Aug 12, 2011
After watching her show (Reality TV Me) at the Virgin Money Fringe on the High Street Virgin Money caught up with street performer California to find out how she’s finding the Edinburgh Festival Fringe:
Yes! here I am, in glorious Edinburgh. This year as part of my world tour I, California (not the country… the woman) am stopping in to all sorts of European shopping hot spots to perform. Barry (my producer…He’s like the voice in my head…without him my head is quite…Ahh…vacant.) So yes this year, Barry and I are here filming live episodes of my real show – REALITY TV ME. We’ve had some fantastic contestants from all over the world – London, Glascow, Tel Aviv and Italy.
It’s really great the way the Fringe brings all these people together, from all over the world. I have come from Australia this year, which some people have heard of; Australia is a planet a long way from here, and it was a long flight.
Virgin Money are sponsoring the street events and it’s great to have them on board. Richard seems to do a lot of thinking, and write smart things. I don’t think so often, but I understood one thing on the Virgin Money website - “Everyone needs simplicity in such a complex world”. I have a simple approach; just find a man with a big credit card – simple! (Or a Virgin Pre paid travel card… that would work for me too! – like I said simple! That sounds perfect for a girl like me actually, so feel free to come and drop one in my handbag at the end of a show!)
There are a lot of Australians here doing their shows on the streets, people like Shirlee Sunflower, The Great Dave, Maple Stapleton and Brucie. People often ask why there are so many Australians, and I call it the Kylie phenomenon. We all want a success we can’t have in Australia, so we come here - it worked for Kylie! (Kylie and I are close in that way).
REALITY TV ME, can be seen daily here until the 18th August. After that it is back to the continent for some episodes in Switzerland, Germany and finally Poland. Then we all head back to Australia to continue the show in Sydney, Melbourne and Albury. It’s a big year for California, (the girls and Barry).
Until then we are enjoying the Edinburgh weather, Barry told me to say that, but he is just a voice so he can’t get wet. I love the shopping here in Edinburgh, and of course seeing all the fabulous shows from performers all over the world. Viva la Edinburgh Fringe! (that was French… I’m so multi-lingual after all this international touring!) So like Antony said, get down to the High St, or the Mound and be prepared to take part in the Fringe! If you come to a live show of Reality TV Me you could win a car!
Reality TV Me is a “street” theatre show parodying Reality TV, in each show contestants stand to win a car! But they have to do a lot more than just stand! To find out when California is performing next, head over to the daily Virgin Money Street Events Daily Guide.
Many thanks to California for taking the time to talk to us.
