Juliet Boobbyer - From the Wind Interview

1. Out of all the plays at The Greenhouse, why pick From the Wind? What about it spoke to you?

This production looks at how everyday people interact with being environmentally friendly and I really liked that about this play. For so many being environmentally aware is something which they can only really apply to their individual lives and this play really speaks to that. Furthermore it is informative about how the world is gradually introducing greener energy and that, despite it may be more inconvenient directly for those around it, it is worth it and how important it is. Finally I love how it takes four very different people and shows their perspective on environmentalism and how they could each do their bit. I think it is a really important, informative play.

2. What is brought you to this fringe? What is your background in theatre/the arts/environmentalism?

After directing a show at the Fringe two years ago, I came to university excited to gain more experience in all aspects of theatre. Over the past two years at the University of St Andrews I have had the pleasure of being involved in some great shows in a range of positions. Recently I have acted as Tina in An Education (2019), Ettie Steele in The March (2018) and a storyteller in Tales of Our World (2018). Furthermore I have gained experience in some production team roles: I have directed Iphigenia in Aulis (2019), Venus and Adonis (2018), assistant directed Macbeth (2019), done the publicity for Into The Woods (2019) and assistant produced Winter’s Tale (2018).

I have always tried to be as environmental as possible as an individual but I am so thrilled to be a part of The Greenhouse and passionate about the intersection between environmentalism and theatre and everything that The Greenhouse stands for. The Greenhouse has also made me realise how much more we can each do individually and altogether and I am glad that to be a part of something that realises the bigger picture.

3. How is the cast coming together for this play?

The cast and crew are really close and always get on very well which makes rehearsals at times hilarious however we know when we need concentrate and start working on it. I think we work really well together and want to be as helpful as we can to each other. It has been a lot of fun to work with these guys!

4. What are you most looking forward to about Fringe?

There are so many things that I am excited for the Fringe and The Greenhouse but I think that most of all I am really looking forward to see The Greenhouse up and running everyday, putting on 8 fantastic shows and see how people react to this innovative and creative project and how we are putting on theatre without any waste.

5. Who do you play, and what about that character excited you/drew you in?

My character’s name is Mary and she is 64 years old. She is a long-standing resident on the small Scottish island Fair Isle who loves and is passionate about her home and all the efforts that the community put in to living environmentally friendly. She wants people to understand how normal, and perhaps better, living on an the Fair Isle is and how they as an island work together with green energy and live healthily and co-dependently.