ALTER EGO Q&A – Taylor Dyson as Tay from Ane City

Deadline at the Fringe are interviewing performers across the festival, putting 20 questions to them – both as an artist and as their stage or performance alter ego.

Tay, is the Alter Ego character of Taylor Dyson in the production Ane City. Taylor is a theatre maker based in Scotland. Her work focuses on Scots language, spoken word and social issues.

From tacky pubs with seedy bouncers to revelations on the McManus steps with Rabbie Burns, Tay attempts to find herself in the city of Dundee in Ane City – A theatrical, poetic one-woman show that combines elements of Scots language, storytelling, song and comedy.

Tay says… 

1. First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?

I don’t really know; Edinburgh is a bit too posh for me. But I came to get steaming!

2. Does your time here bring on joy or dread?

Mmm… I’m happy to have a night oot and that but I feel a bit down.

3. How did you travel to the capital, and are you alone or with friends?

I got a £3 pound Megabus with my pals.

4. Where will you visit on your day off and why?

Probably head tae some pubs or sit in ane o’ the parks wi’ some tins of gin and tonic!

5. What Scottish delicacies do you enjoy and, do any of them fill you with fear?

Does Glen’s count?

6. Which watering hole will you most likely be stopping at?

Hive till Five mair than likely!

7. Which other act would you be most likely to recommend to a friend?

I will be goin’ tae see ABBA A-RIVAL and would recommend tae anyone lookin’ for a good night oot!

8. Plug your show in three words.

Pure dead brilliant!

9. Are you a newcomer or a veteran?

Newcomer, I’m usually oot in Dundee or Glasgow! Feel a bit oot o’ place in Edinburgh.

10. What do you love most about the festival?

Talkin’ tae randoms and drinkin’ a’ day!

11. What do you hate most about the festival?

It caun feel a bit posh – Edinburgh’s super expensive.

12. What is your biggest fear before going on stage?

Forgettin’ everythin’ that a’ wrote.

13. Quote yourself. What’s the best thing you’ve ever said?

I dinna ken- I write poetry- but wouldn’t know the best thing I’ve said!

14. What does success and failure mean to you?

I’m kinda in a place where I dinna like overthinking either.

15. What is your worst habit?

Smoking and drinking – the usual.

16. Most embarrassing moment?

Standing naked in Dundee city centre screaming William McGonnagal poetry… It was a rough night.

17. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

Law Hill or Magdalen Green in Dundee. Wish I could say I’m well-travelled and have been anywhere better.

18. Who would you choose to be if you were not you?

Someone older with a successful poetry career- mibbe Liz Lochhead. She’s pretty cool like.

19. What is your greatest ambition?

I wanna get out of Dundee and become a professional poet.

20. How can we bring world peace?

Being politically engaged! Speakin’ oot about inequality and actively fightin’ against it.

…and now we hear from Taylor herself.

1. First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?

I love Edinburgh, there’s so much going on and the atmosphere here is electric! I am here to perform our debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

2. Does your time here bring on joy or dread?

Joy, for sure! I’m buzzing to be able to perform my show at the biggest theatre festival in the world!

3. How did you travel to the capital, and are you alone or with friends?

Well I’m based in Dundee at the moment so it’s a short train ride away and I am with my partner, Calum who is directing Ane City.

4. Where will you visit on your day off and why?

I don’t have a day off during the Fringe and being from Scotland, I’ve done all the touristy things. But I will be going to see as many shows as I can throughout the festival!

5. What Scottish delicacies do you enjoy and, do any of them fill you with fear?

I’m vegetarian so Scottish food isn’t the best for that. But I love vegetarian versions of most Scottish dishes like vegetarian haggis. I’d say the only thing I hate is whisky!

6. Which watering hole will you most likely be stopping at?

I’m not super familiar with Edinburgh bars so I’m looking forward to exploring that side of things!

7. Which other act would you be most likely to recommend to a friend?

We had a preview at Prague Fringe Festival and we saw some amazing companies who are taking shows to Edinburgh! I’ve been recommending Lucille and Cecilia from Bang Average Theatre! It’s a funny and heart-warming piece with two fantastic performers!

8. Plug your show in three words.

Vodka, ABBA, Loneliness.

9. Are you a newcomer or a veteran?

I’m a newcomer to Edinburgh Fringe, I’ve only done one show before in 2017 and it was only for two nights – so I feel very green!

10. What do you love most about the festival?

Meeting interesting people, seeing interesting shows and the atmosphere in Edinburgh!

11. What do you hate most about the festival?

It can be pretty overwhelming even just as an audience member!

12. What is your biggest fear before going on stage?

Not doing the best I can or becoming overwhelmed. I like to take a minute on my own so I don’t feel anxious onstage though.

13. Quote yourself. What’s the best thing you’ve ever said?

I honestly don’t know. I forget everything after I say it.

14. What does success and failure mean to you?

Success is just being happy; I don’t think of it in terms of specific goals. And failure to me is not trying to be a good person or creating good change in the world.

15. What is your worst habit?

Smoking cigarettes.

16. Most embarrassing moment?

I was in the ensemble for The Witches at Dundee Rep and the day they were filming the show for the archives, I fell off a scooter in a dance sequence and cut open my leg on a rostrum.

I got back up and realised my leg was gushing with blood and my tights had ripped open and the audience was entirely kids.

I hoped they didn’t see it and get freaked out so I tried to get offstage the second I had a chance. I was so mortified and felt awful for the rest of the show.

17. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

I love the sea and love beaches. But don’t really have a specific place that I’ve came across yet and thought this is my favourite.

18. Who would you choose to be if you were not you?

I don’t know, there’s so many people I admire but I don’t know if I would be good at being them. I’d like to maybe be an animal more, like a turtle or something.

19. What is your greatest ambition?

To keep making theatre.

20. How can we bring world peace?

Accepting differences, celebrating differences and speaking out against social injustice.