William Gadsby Peet chats to Amanda Waring, the face of the Guildford Fringe Festival 2016, about her one woman show 'For the Love of Chocolate', the role of the performing arts in society, Brexit, care for the elderly and shamanic healing.
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- How does it feel to be the face of the Guildford Fringe festival?
I was absolutely delighted to be asked to be the cover girl. It is a great honour and a lovely surprise. It’s funny to think that my face is all over Guildford – travelling to parts I have yet to visit!
- What do we have to look forward to from your show 'For the Love of Chocolate'?
Performing the show is an utter delight! Audiences can look forward to free chocolate, having their chocolate fortune read - if they are brave enough – and lots of laughter. I like to think I am bringing a little bit of Mexico to Guildford.
- What is your favourite form of chocolate?
The melted kind that I can pour all over my body, as you will see if you come to my show!
- Your show flyer says free chocolate included in the price of a ticket, how much free chocolate are we talking?
That all depends on how good you are at catching! Everyone will receive their own personal aphrodisiac chocolate ball and chocolate is thrown out at various points during the show, especially to reward audience members who have been naughty or nice (though only those who have been naughty truly deserve chocolate).
I also have some very special, limited-edition chocolates for my chocolate fortune telling, where I will divine the chocolate fortunes of some of the members of the audience.
- Anyone you're particularly excited to see at the festival?
The Naked Stand Up of course! She was with me in Edinburgh, but I didn’t get the chance to see her – we girls must stick together.
- What, in your opinion, is the role of the performing arts in our society?
The main role of the performing arts is to raise the spirits, particularly during turbulent times, such as those we are currently facing. The arts inspire new ways of looking at the world; they bring a sense of fun and unite people, providing insight and clarity on situations that are often complex and difficult to navigate.
- How do you think Brexit will affect the arts in this country?
Art acts as a conduit for difficult themes, speaking to people about politics in a way that no politician ever could. I think we will see some of the challenges presented by Brexit born out on stage. Perhaps the focus on cultural diversity and acceptance will be increased for example. As for the wider implications, everything is so uncertain that, for the time being, all we can do is wait.
- You've done a lot of West End performances, what are the different challenges of doing a one woman comedy show to an all singing all dancing West End musical?
The main downside of the one-woman show approach to performing is that there’s no one to clean up after me when I am covered in melted chocolate! Seriously though, working in a West End environment is hugely exciting, you get to work with lots of different people which really fuels creativity. Working alone on the other hand provides a great deal of freedom. I love the fact that the responsibility lies (almost) entirely on my shoulders. I can be spontaneous and improvise with the audience without tripping anybody else up, other than my wonderful musician Andy, but he’s more of a partner in crime.
- You are an active campaigner for better care for the elderly, why do you think this is important and how much further do we have to go as a society before you feel we are giving the elder generation proper care?
The test of a society is how it treats its vulnerable - whether that's the very young or the very old. It's vital that we give all ages the same care. There’s no doubt in my mind that we have a lot further to go, but I am very encouraged to see a lot of positive steps being taken and good care being given at this moment in time. As with anything though, it is the bad examples of care that get the media attention. Negativity in the media is fuelling fear, which does not necessarily bring improvement. A change in mindset has to be encouraged. It’s not about treating others as you would wish to be treated, it is about treating others as they would wish to be treated. Once we have the measure of what our elders want, we will have a good grounding for true person-centered care.
- You run the Healing Temple in West Sussex, what does the temple do?
It is a dedicated space where women can come to meditate, share inspiration and be given the freedom to be creative in a way which allows them to heal. The centre is available to women that are in need, who have lost aspects of themselves, whether through grief, trauma, the business of being a mother or the tiredness which comes with caring for others. It provides these women with a space where they can nurture themselves and share in the company of other like-minded women.
I take workshops here on sacred cacao, which teaches how to keep the heart open during times of great grief and loss and to honour all the stages of womanhood, something we don’t really celebrate in our culture.
- You're trained in Shamanic healing, reiki, transcendence therapy and are a sacred storyteller in Native American culture, how did you get involved with such a diverse range of skills & topics?
My father was very open to the teachings of the Native American people and as far back as I can remember he encouraged me to embrace this part of myself. At the age of eight I was giving healing to animals and to elder people in care homes. I now act as a soul midwife, helping those who are dying to leave this earth at peace. Medicine can be chemical, emotional or spiritual and I firmly believe that all three areas are vital for proper healing.
- What do you hope people will take away from your show at the Guildford Fringe?
An hour of laughter, sheer delightful madness and the taste - and smell - of chocolate!
To check out all of the amazing performing arts going on over the Guildford Fringe Festival visit guildfordfringefestival.com
For more information about Amanda you can check out her website amandawaring.com
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