Class of 2024 perform original works at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Students from the Class of 2024 will perform original works this week at the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  
 
Ten graduands from Acting, Drama and Theatre and Musical Theatre courses at York St John will tread the boards, as part of the festival’s Springboard Platform, aimed at unveiling new talent. 
 
This is the first time that York St John Drama and Theatre students have performed at the festival, which last year sold 2.4 million tickets to over 3,500 shows.  
 
The York St John performances taking place this week are:

• Misery Loves Company theatre group, with The Women of Whitechapel, a musical that explores the lives of the canonical 5 victims of Jack the Ripper. This show premiered at the York Takeover Festival in May.
  

• Method – a unique spin on the role of Lady Macbeth, but as an actor obsessed with giving a perfect performance, written, directed and performed by Amy Domeneghetti.
  

• I’d Love To Know – a feminist stand-up set, performed by Molly Higgins.
  

Amy Domeneghetti said the role of Lady Macbeth was one she’s always wanted to perform, but adding her own interpretation to it. 
 
“Instead of simply performing a Shakespeare text, I wanted to create a piece that discussed the other things I am interested in, such as the trope of the obsessed artist, and the dangers of method acting,” said Amy. 
 
"This also gave me the path into speaking about mental health and doing auto-ethnographic research.” 
 
Lottie Copeland, a member of Misery Loves Company, who plays Annie Chapman, the 2nd victim of Jack the Ripper, said that The Women of Whitechapel transcends its time in history, tackling issues that are very much current today, such as victim blaming and domestic abuse.  
 
“After performing this piece at York Theatre Royal’s Takeover festival, there was popular demand for us to bring our work to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,” said Lottie. 
 
“We hope that by performing our piece at Springboard Platform we can create a larger reach for our piece and give these women a legacy beyond the title of victim.” 
 
Molly Higgins said that she hoped the audience at her stand-up set would feel that they could run into her down the pub and have a pint. 
 
“I try gear my material toward a female audience as throughout 2023 and 2024 I have seen the need for female solidarity in spaces and this is what I wish to emulate as well.,” said Molly. 
 
Nicola Forshaw, Course Leader for Acting, Drama, Theatre and Dance at York St John, said staff were “extremely proud” of what the graduands had created. 
 
“This is an amazing opportunity for our final year students from the Acting, Drama and Theatre and Musical Theatre courses and we are delighted that they have been offered the chance to have their work seen by the Edinburgh Fringe audience,” said Nicola. 
 
“They have already performed their work at York Theatre Royal and the quality is extremely high as well as diverse. These students thoroughly deserve to have their work platformed at the Fringe Festival and I am sure it will lead to further opportunities.” 
 
The graduands’ performances will take place in the PASS Theatre, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 21 (I’d Love To Know), Thursday 22 (Method) and Friday 23 August (The Women of Whitechapel). All the shows start at 2.30pm. 
 
Book tickets for the York St John Springboard Platform shows. 
 
Learn more about Acting and Theatre courses at York St John University.  

Photograph credit: Amber Little