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.
Meet Frankie Foxstone: self-styled Profit and bulldozing, bamboozling developer. She will take you on a whirlwind walking tour of her smashing plans for Edinburgh. It will never feel the same again. Think Dubai on Irn-Bru.
This is interactive satire for the Brexit era. Gaulier-trained performer and writer Amy Gwilliam plays Frankie in Frankie Foxstone AKA The Profit.
First we speak to Frankie…
- First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
Full of potential. Bursting at the seams. Needs a good seeing to.
I am here on behalf of the Foxstone Forte Group who, in collaboration with the Far East Consortium of China and the City of Edinburgh Council will be redeveloping the central portion of New Town. #notsonewanymore
2. Does your time here bring on joy or dread?
I consider my work as opening gateways, building pathways to the future via global transaction, necessary demolition and compassionate development. Yes, I meet resistance of course, but I have a knack of opening people’s eyes to reality, possibility and progress. From without and so within.
3. How did you travel to the capital, and are you alone or with friends?
Private Jet, courtesy of the Far East Consortium of China. I was met on the runway by the Chief Executive of the City Council.
4. Where will you visit on your day off and why?
No such thing as a day off. I will spend the day on a conference call with representatives in Hong Kong, London and Jeddah, updating them on proceedings.
5. What Scottish delicacies do you enjoy and, do any of them fill you with fear?
I was force-fed haggis by a buxom Scottish nanny when I was 4 years old and so am naturally wary of the stuff. I do like Smoked Salmon and Smoked Whisky. Yes, there is something about smoked things. I think the Deep Fried Mars Bar tradition has a lot to do with lack of ambition in Scotland.
6. Which watering hole will you most likely be stopping at?
I assume you mean a pub? I shall stay close to my hotel – The Balmoral.
7. Which other act would you be most likely to recommend to a friend?
I’m not sure I catch your drift?
8. Plug your show in three words.
Look, it’s less a show, more an “opportunity”.
Unashamed. Overdue.
9. Are you a newcomer or a veteran?
I was at a convention last year – as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Street Events – offering a masterclass in financial planning; namely how to climb through a loophole.
10. What do you love most about the festival?
It proves to potential investors why Edinburgh needs a massive refurb. It makes the city a substantial profit.
11. What do you hate most about the festival?
I have a fear of fancy dress. I believe it brings out the worst in people.
12. What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
[unanswered]
13. Quote yourself. What’s the best thing you’ve ever said?
“I think you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their carpet.”
14. What does success and failure mean to you?
Success means thinking skywards. Failure is an inability to look someone sharply in the eye and say what you want.
15. What is your worst habit?
I overuse my eyebrows.
16. Most embarrassing moment?
My stiletto gave way when I greeted Donald Trump back in March. Luckily he brushed the whole thing off.
17. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
I feel like Aladdin when I’m there.
18. Who would you choose to be if you were not you?
The Prime Minister. Or Charlize Theron.
19. What is your greatest ambition?
To build a new city from the dust.
20. How can we bring world peace?
Keep investing. Stick to your guns.
… and now we hear from Amy.
- First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
Spiky. Surreal. Sensational. I am here to perform my show.
- Does your time here bring on joy or dread?
A giddy mixture of the two. I’m always stepping out of my comfort zone, taking a risk which is often hard to stomach in the early stages. That said, often once I’m there, in the thick of it, joy trumps dread. (She says…)
- How did you travel to the capital, and are you alone or with friends?
Train. Or maybe a friend’s van. I’ve yet to decide. I’m a solo performer in the bosom of a delicious network of friends.
- Where will you visit on your day off and why?
My step-grandmother’s cottage just outside Edinburgh. We will watch the birds in her garden and eat her homemade ice cream.
- What Scottish delicacies do you enjoy and, do any of them fill you with fear?
Fine whiskey and smoked salmon. Together. Then fudge. My palette is far superior to my wallet.
- Which watering hole will you most likely be stopping at?
Bob Slayer’s Blundabus.
- Which other act would you be most likely to recommend to a friend?
Lucy Hopkins. Soul sister.
- Plug your show in three words.
Unlikeanythingelse. Preposterous. Important.
- Are you a newcomer or a veteran?
Veteran who feels entirely newcomer.
- What do you love lost about the festival?
The audience. They come to play and that always feels generous and radical.
- What do you hate most about the festival?
People who think they are cooler than you. They may be, but it’s no excuse.
- What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
That I’ll forget how to come alive, respond, connect with the audience who are with me.
- Quote yourself. What’s the best thing you’ve ever said?
“And another angel has arrived.”
- What does success and failure mean to you?
I was trained by Phillipe Gaulier. Stomaching failure is may be the beginnings of success. You’ve got to be deeply ok with your vulnerability to be able to perform. It’s excruciating, but true. And heck, success is completely immeasurable, horribly distorted by the status quo. It might just be a look between you and an audience member after your show.
- What is your worst habit?
Letting the gremlin of self-doubt cackle too loud. Eating too quickly, bloating and then …
- Most embarrassing moment?
Peeing myself on a ski-lift in between two beautiful Argentinian men. Unless you meant something Edinburgh related?
- Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
North Wales. It’s elemental and cosy.
- Who would you choose to be if you were not you?
Somebody who makes medicines from plants and lives in a cabin. But she is also a burlesque dancer and writes film noirs.
- What is your greatest ambition?
Oh, to keep journeying, see what happens. Be content with that. Humble, but feisty.
- How can we bring world peace?
Laughter. It’s the great disheveller.
