Grace Gallagher, co-director and performer of the powerful show STUFFED, brings a blazing inferno of clowning and personal testimony to the Edinburgh Fringe. In this exclusive interview, Gallagher discusses the inspiration behind the show, which delves into the wreckage of the UK’s food support system and the overwhelming need for action.
STUFFED is a response to the soul-shaking experience of volunteering at food banks during the pandemic, combining physicality, clowning, and original music to confront audiences with the harsh realities of food poverty. The show aims to unite, educate, and inspire, offering a unique blend of humor and horror.
Don’t miss STUFFED at Pleasance Courtyard (Above) from July 31 to August 26, 2024 (excluding August 18). Book your tickets now.
You’re bringing STUFFED to the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Fringe. What can you tell us about this show?
STUFFED is an anarchic and powerful theatrical experience that delves into the urgent issue of food poverty in the UK. The show is a vibrant mix of clowning, original electronic music, physicality, and verbatim testimony. It’s a feast for the eyes and ears, wrapping serious commentary in a visually and sonically stunning package.
Through humor and raw, authentic storytelling, STUFFED takes audiences on an emotional journey, exposing the stark realities faced by many while inspiring hope and action.
The show explores your experiences volunteering at food banks during the pandemic. What motivated you to create a theatrical production based on this subject matter?
During the lockdown, Ugly Bucket Theatre members volunteered at food banks and council helplines, witnessing firsthand the overwhelming need and the systemic failures that lead people to such desperate circumstances. This soul-shaking experience, combined with the strain on these organizations, fueled our desire to use our platform to shed light on this critical issue.
We wanted to create a production that not only entertains but also educates and motivates audiences to recognize and address the severity of food poverty in one of the richest countries in the world.
STUFFED blends verbatim testimony with physicality, clowning, and original music. Can you discuss the creative process of interweaving these different elements?
The creative process for STUFFED was about finding a balance between the raw honesty of verbatim testimony and the dynamic energy of clowning and physicality. We spent a year working with food banks across the UK, gathering personal stories from volunteers and clients. These testimonies became the backbone of our narrative.
We then layered these stories with our signature style—using original electronic music to underscore the emotions and physicality to bring the stories to life. Clowning provided a way to engage and entertain the audience while making the serious subject matter more accessible. The result is a show that is both deeply moving and unrelentingly hilarious.
The show aims to “unite, educate, inspire and confront audiences” about the crisis of food poverty. How do you hope to achieve these goals through the performance?
We aim to unite audiences by creating a shared experience that highlights the importance of community in addressing food poverty. Through education, we provide insight into the severity of the crisis and the systemic failures that perpetuate it. The confrontational nature of the performance, especially during its climax, forces audiences to face the harsh realities many people endure.
Finally, by ending the show on a note of hope and providing actionable steps through our pamphlets and panels, we inspire audiences to become part of the solution. Our goal is for audiences to leave the theatre not just entertained, but motivated to take real, tangible actions.
There are plans for wrap-around engagement activities like food bank donation points and community panels. Why was it important to extend the show’s impact beyond just the performance itself?
Extending the impact of STUFFED beyond the performance was crucial for us because the issue of food poverty requires ongoing community engagement and action. By including activities like food bank donation points and community panels, we provide audiences with immediate ways to contribute and get involved.
These activities reinforce the message of the show and create a direct, tangible impact. It’s about turning the emotional response elicited by the performance into real-world change, fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility to address this pressing issue.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see “STUFFED” at the Edinburgh Fringe this year?
If you’re considering booking to see STUFFED, prepare for an unforgettable theatrical experience. This show is not just a performance; it’s a call to action. It’s funny, heart-wrenching, visually spectacular, and thought-provoking. STUFFED tackles the serious issue of food poverty with a unique blend of humor and raw emotion, ensuring you leave the theatre both entertained and inspired.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a show that combines innovative storytelling with a powerful social message. Join us at Pleasance Courtyard and be part of the change we wish to see.
