3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – Connecticut public school shows high cost of coming to Edinburgh
Fairfield Ludlowe High School students in Connecticut, USA, are gearing up for their last stateside performance of Pride and Prejudice – which will also double as their last fundraiser.
The performance will take place on 17 July and afterwards the Drama Club is bringing a more limited cast to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in early August.
The expense of bringing a show to Edinburgh is already well known to be considerable, and in the case of Fairfield Ludlowe it is definitely a determining factor in the number of students who will actually arrive in Scotland later this month. Only 14 out of an original cast of 42 will make the trip.
All manner of fundraising has gone on to make the trip viable – (including Sohana's father, Mick, dressing up as Sandy Clause in the depths of winter to pose for photos on the beach with anyone who would pay).
Mick Reed 'helping' with the fundraiser
The school's fundraising page explains that the total cost of the trip will be around $100,000 with travel to London for two days and Edinburgh for 10, accommodation, venue rental, costumes and production expenses – including the hire of the performance space.
But the school was determined the play would be part of Fringe 2025. Their fundraiser says: 'Being accepted to play the Edinburgh Fringe is beyond our dreams. We are proud to take a public school show to the largest and most influential arts festival in the world!'
Send off show
The send off show in the US next Friday will mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth with a party at Roger Ludlowe Middle School offering prizes which include Broadway tickets. There will be none of that booty to share when they arrive in Scotland, but performing the play is their way of marking an important date in the Austen history – and offering a tremendous life experience to their students.
The show – Pride and Prejudice – is one to mark in your diary – and be quick to do so as there are only four performances on 1,2, 5 and 6 August at 9am. 'This isn't your grandmother's Austen! Bold, surprising, boisterous and timely, this Pride and Prejudice for a new era explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life. It is a bold, surprising, boisterous and timely production.
'Outspoken Lizzy Bennet is determined to never marry, but can she resist love, especially when that vaguely handsome, mildly amusing and impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn?!
'Bridgerton meets Upright Citizens Brigade meets Jane Austen. Join this cast of 14 High School students from Fairfield, Connecticut as they dance their way through the Regency marriage game.'
Regency costume with a modern twist
The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to teacher and director, Christy Newsom along with student, Sohana Reed, who plays Miss Bingley.
Christy is originally from California then moved to New York where she worked as a professional actor. She explained that she wanted to start having a family and of course 'those two things don't always go hand in hand'. She then began working in theatre education and found that she got the same level of fulfilment from that side as she did from being on stage herself. She has taught at Fairfield Ludlow since 2019 where she said the school has 'the most supportive principal and admin. They are so pro arts and the school has been recognised on a state level through various award ceremonies. I'm just really proud of the growth in the department that we've had.'
As to the show Christy explained that this is not the traditional Pride and Prejudice. She said: 'We've decided to do what we're lovingly calling the best of. We are combining the books and the BBC version and the Keira Knightley movie and modern sketch comedy. The kids are wearing full Regency garb but with Converse and drinking out of red Solo cups. There's music, there's dancing. It's definitely quirkier than your original Austen.
Sohana explained her role, saying: 'Miss Bingley likes this one guy, Darcy, but Lizzie the main character – she and Darcy are falling in love and Miss Bingley can't do anything about it. She is mad all the time, constantly annoyed by life – and she hates the country!'
And as for Sohana's preparation for Edinburgh – she is buying a waterproof.
Don't miss their early morning performances.
Pride and Prejudice – 1 – 6 August at 9am in The Great Hall at Nicolson Square Venues
Watch our online interview here:
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