Master of the mid-Atlantic, mid-century atmosphere Amy Wallace, who plays Penelope White in Nines, sits down on Playing Favorites for a bubbly, wide-ranging chat about, among other things, this “scandalous, at times a little bit sexy” new 60s-set show from Black Bat Productions. 

In this episode we compare how and when to go to shows by yourself, and discuss whether generating serotonin is enough to justify when TV is making the world objectively worse. Also a mostly visual joke gets told on a podcast, and Amy asks who my favorite cast member of Nines is. Tune in!

Nines is playing at the Canal Café Theatre on the 23rd, 24th and 26th November at 7.30pm ONLY. Book your tickets on our website blackbat.uk or here: canalcafetheatre.com/our-shows/nines.

The delightful Annabella Fazio plays favorites tonight. A talented multi-hyphenate, international artist, and incredible flatmate, Bella talks us through her inspirations to work in the creative arts, how 1993’s Benny & Joon affected her approach to life, our shared love of and slight addiction to the Cannes Film Festival, and the Hemingway short story that sparked her journey into producing the already acclaimed short film Undecided (which you should all check out and follow here: instagram.com/undecidedfilm).

We also discuss why actors should live with directors, and pose a challenge for listeners to figure out which song inspired the name of a certain production company… For those wondering, our chat was recorded in sunny London in early August, hence the time frame.

You read that right! My guest on Playing Favorites tonight is Apphia Campbell, the brilliant writer and performer who has brought two ingenious and universally acclaimed pieces to the Fringe, and I am lucky to say has been a wonderfully gracious new friend and guest.

We sat down in mid-August, minutes after her now legendary piece Black Is The Color of My Voice finished at the Pleasance EICC. We discussed the show, what it’s been like performing it for nearly 10 years, thoughts on writing new projects, past Nina Simone-inspired stories, how to think about a one-person show, her phenomenal play Woke, our admiration of Miriam Makeba, Rebecca Hall’s brilliant film Passing, making theatre in Shanghai, and lots more. It’s a very special episode of Playing Favorites!

The other half of our kickass Press Team this Fringe is Alexandra Clare, who joins Playing Favorites and admits to crimes live on air! She also talks very cheesy jokes, the loveliness of old music, finding confidence at 10 years old, when and when not to use what drama school has taught you, and, again, crimes.

It's Playing Favorites! Come see Press!

------------

Press returns to the Edinburgh Fringe after its 2021 premiere, described as “genius” (★★★★★ - Broadway Baby) with “a wonderful set-up” that “delivers in every manner” (★★★★★ - The Violet Curtain).

When two film producers learn their prestigious, Oscar-bait Civil War movie cast a white actor in a role meant for a Black actor, they frantically try to avoid public scrutiny by any means necessary.

After successful runs at the Old Red Lion in Islington, Sands Film Studio in Rotherhithe, and the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, Press has been reimagined for this year's Fringe with an all-female cast. Black Bat Productions is delighted to feature Kaia Hickson as Dani Fring, and Alexandra Clare as Kate Smalls.

Pleasance Below | 17th-29th August | 12.45pm

tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/press

blackbat.uk

Peace River Hickson herself comes on Playing Favorites to talk all things Press (coming to the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Fringe 17th August!), plus her experiences in Malaysia, her love of alt-J (and opinions on their second album), her long road to Mountview, and the concept of death.

It's Playing Favorites! 

------------

Press returns to the Edinburgh Fringe after its 2021 premiere, described as “genius” (★★★★★ - Broadway Baby) with “a wonderful set-up” that “delivers in every manner” (★★★★★ - The Violet Curtain).

When two film producers learn their prestigious, Oscar-bait Civil War movie cast a white actor in a role meant for a Black actor, they frantically try to avoid public scrutiny by any means necessary.

After successful runs at the Old Red Lion in Islington, Sands Film Studio in Rotherhithe, and the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, Press has been reimagined for this year's Fringe with an all-female cast. Black Bat Productions is delighted to feature Kaia Hickson as Dani Fring, and Alexandra Clare as Kate Smalls.

Pleasance Below | 17th-29th August | 12.45pm

IT'S THE 50TH EPISODE OF PLAYING FAVORITES!

Delightful fellow and frequently gut-bustingly funny performer Oscar Brudenall-Jones joins Playing Favorites tonight! He discusses his bizarre comedic taste, The Death of Stalin, Richard Harris, magpie-ing, grief, and resting places for those we love. A genuinely moving conversation.