Taylor Dyson is a recent graduate from MLitt Theatre Practices and Performance at The University of Glasgow. Her work focuses on Scots language, social-political issues and female experiences.
Taylor is the co-founder of Elfie Picket Theatre, a new Scottish theatre company, and is the writer and performer of Ane City – The company’s first production.
Ane City by Taylor Dyson is at Assembly Roxy 1st – 26th August.
Ane City is coming to Assembly Roxy what can you tell us about it?
Ane City is the story of Tay, a working class, Dundonian, English Literature student. She returns home from university and finds herself feeling disconnected from her friends and family. She embarks on a wild night out where her relationships unravel, her sense of identity crumbles and she is left questioning her place in the world. It is a story about Dundee, about Scotland, about young people and identity. It is a semi-autobiographical piece, so I have a strong connection to the characters and the issues throughout.
What inspired you to write Ane City?
I was inspired by my own experience, the story and the characters are auto-biographical to an extent. I really wanted to write something that represented contemporary, working class, East Coast, Scottish women- I know that’s very specific and obviously isn’t representative of everyone but there is a lot of questioning in the play about generational differences of Scottish women, especially linked with how class has affected different generations. I also really wanted to write something based off my research into Scottish Dramaturgies – and the rich, background of Scottish performance; something that took from that and made a new, contemporary universal story.
What’s the most challenging thing about performing in this show?
Well it is a solo performance, and vocally and physically it is challenging to be portraying different characters, jumping from Scots poetry to ABBA songs to narration in a matter of minutes. But that’s what makes it so amazing to perform, it is a colourful world where Tay (the main character) is a fantasist, a poet, a storyteller, she wants to let you into her world for an hour and talk to the audience honestly. It’s incredibly fun as well, it is a play that allows me to look into the audience and connect with them. It is meant to feel like some weird girl at an after party getting people laughing with her stories.
What’s the one thing about Ane City that makes it different from all the rest?
Ane City is a one-woman show that uses different traditional methods of Scottish storytelling and theatre to tell a contemporary story. There’s comedy, songs, poetry and Scots language and nods to the musical hall/variety era with impressions and slapstick humour.
Throughout the play there is a huge focus on young people’s relationship with that post-industrial nostalgia that is so deep-rooted into Scottish towns and cities – especially Dundee and its strong connection to its history. The story comes from a young, working class woman’s perspective – something that I feel is under-represented in theatre and is a more contemporary look into class and the disillusionment that goes a long with it.
How does it feel to be at Assembly Roxy?
We are so honoured to be able to perform at Assembly Roxy for the Fringe run. Winning the Assembly Roxy Theatre Award has been so exciting and an incredible opportunity for us, without it we would never be able to take this play to Edinburgh. The team at Assembly Roxy have helped and supported us and the play immensely, I think that’s especially important with us being such a new company. We really can’t wait to get into the space and start performing Ane City!
Why should people come see Ane City?
We are a new company and this is a brand-new story, with a strong female focus. And although there is a huge focus on Scots language and Scottish issues; it’s not purely a ‘Scottish story’, I think so many people can relate to leaving home and struggling with making new connections or returning home and losing your connections. It is a comedy, it’s colourful and there’s poetry, live music and lots of unique characters.
Ane City by Taylor Dyson is at Assembly Roxy 1st – 26th August.
