Tickets for LIVE IN HELL are on sale now, taking place at Performance Works from Sept 10 – 20. Book your spot today for just $16 per person!
Hi! My name is Marita, and I’m the lead artist of LIVE IN HELL, working alongside my collaborators Lauren and Alexandra. We all met at SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts, where we studied theatre and performance art. Apart from that, I have a background in DIY music, and that usually shows up in my work.
What is the plot of your show?
A She-Devil climbs out of a cardboard Amazon box and welcomes the audience into her own personal hell.
She shows off her TV, performatively pretends to read, and gets support from a Puppet therapist while desperately clinging on to her celebrity status and clumsily maneuvering through the status quo.
What inspired you to create this show?
I was invited to perform at Boombox, one of my favourite spots ever, an artist-run venue operating out of a shipping container near the Birdhouse. I felt conflicted about public performance during a time of polycrisis.
I was questioning my own complicity in the death machine, exhausted from widespread censorship and witnessing everyday evils played out by the powers that be. I sewed myself a devil hood, which on one hand allowed me to take on some evil white woman personas, and on the other, let me explore cheeky transgressions and how good it feels to be “bad.”
What are you hoping audiences will experience or take away from your show?
The pleasure of cringe, the power of Satan ;), and the knowledge of their own personal agency.
Why should people come see your show?
A compelling urge? You are being summoned by the princess of darkness and the temptation is irresistible. I need to sell tickets and I need your help.
Theatre edition: what is a hill you’re willing to die on?
I don’t wanna die!!!
What has winning this award meant for you, and how has it helped support your work or your Fringe experience?
It feels good to be acknowledged and chosen. Like most artists, I receive a lot of form rejection letters, so being offered this opportunity was really special. It’s been lovely to get the chance to work with folks from the theatre community, to be supported creatively and materially.
It takes a lot of courage to do a Fringe show, and I am really lucky to have people hold my hand through the process!
