At Bet On It Youth Theatre, aspiring actors will do anything to climb the ladder of success. Teachers and students alike believe in taking the work seriously. They also believe in taking themselves seriously. Prepare to get serious. Returning after sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows in 2023, join writer-performers Charlotte Anne-Tilley (Almost Adult) and Mabel Thomas (Sugar) for big egos, emotional outbursts and a whole lot of drama in this unmissable character-driven satire.
Q&A with Mabel Thomas
How does it feel to be debuting this show at Edinburgh Fringe?
My stomach’s in knots, I’m terrified to check my bank balance…and I couldn’t be more excited! This is my first collaboration with Charlotte, and I’m thrilled to have a teammate to share this ride with.
What can you tell us about your show and its inspiration?
“Serious Theatre from Serious People” is inspired by the serious folks we’ve all met in the world of serious theatre. We play members of Wincle’s “Bet On It” youth theatre. And as you know, nothing is more high-stakes than youth theatre. It’s a joyous romp of a character comedy that will make you laugh and will not make you cry.
How do you think audiences will react to the show?
I’m really excited to share what is essentially our love letter to the Fringe and theatre communities. The best response I can imagine is for audiences to recognize and enjoy the various Fringe tropes and actor types we play with. It’s not meant to be deep; it’s meant to be fun. I just hope audiences have a great time!
How have you been preparing for the festival?
We’ve had an unconventional writing and rehearsal process, collaborating from different continents—me in the US and Charlotte in the UK. It’s been lots of Zoom sessions, internet rabbit holes, and late-night messages. We’re thrilled to finally be in the same room and rehearse with Liv Ello. Zoom fatigue is real.
Will you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the festival?
My goal is to focus on the experience rather than the outcome—a “journey before destination” mentality (shoutout Brandon Sanderson). I’m excited to not be doing a solo show, which means I can (hopefully) separate myself from the production more.
I’m especially looking forward to catching Lorna Rose Treen at Pleasance, “Laughable” directed by Katierose Enriquez at Greenside, “My Last Two Braincells” at Underbelly and of course Charlotte’s other show “Oh, Calm Down” at Summerhall!
Do you have any Fringe anecdotes you can share with us?
In 2022, when I performed my solo show SUGAR, I found a little stone courtyard next to Surgeon’s Hall for warming up. It became my sanctuary, a quiet concrete haven amidst the festival’s chaos.
One day, after a week of warming up in my secluded hideaway, an older gentleman came out of the building. He introduced himself as Angus, the facility manager of the college to which the courtyard belonged. I was worried he’d tell me off and evict me from my favourite warm-up spot (I was definitely on private property). Instead, he just wanted to visit.
We started chatting regularly. Angus shared his favourite spots in Edinburgh (he was Glaswegian, so there weren’t too many) and I told him about my show, and how I’d gone to uni in Glasgow (he approved). Every weekday before I performed, our brief conversations became a cherished ritual. He’d talk about his grandkids, and I’d give him updates on my reviews.
On the last day of the Fringe, as I did my final bows and curtain speech, I looked out into the audience. There, in the back, was Angus! Afterward I asked him what he thought of my show and he said “it was awright” and that was my favourite review.
Serious Theatre from Serious People is at Gilded Balloon Patter House until 26 August
