Fringe Fever: We feature Sarah Hamilton, performing in A Donkey and A Parrot (Melbourne)
Sarah Hamilton is performing in her third Fringe with a 300-year-old story that’s been handed down through her family. She says that as a child she was gobsmacked by the story of her French ancestor’s escape to England. As an adult she investigated the story to reveal an even thicker and more delicious plot. A Donkey and a Parrot is the result of generations of family passing down what they have known, herd, read and imagined.
Sarah Hamilton is performing in her third Fringe with a 300-year-old story that’s been handed down through her family. She says that as a child she was gobsmacked by the story of her French ancestor’s escape to England. As an adult she investigated the story to reveal an even thicker and more delicious plot. A Donkey and a Parrot is the result of generations of family passing down what they have known, herd, read and imagined.
Show Info:
A Donkey and a Parrot When is it on?
23 Sept – 8 Oct (except Mondays)
23–30 Sept, Fringe Hub, Errol’s Cafe Upstairs1–8 Oct, Fringe Hub, Son of Loft, Lithuanian Club How do you get there by public transport?
Tram 57, stop 12 Is there parking?
Sure is.
23–30 Sept, 7.15pm, Sun 6.15pm1–8 Oct, 7.45pm, Sun 6.45pm
How much are tickets?
$18/$14, Tues, $12 Are tickets available at the door?
At the North Melbourne Town Hall, over the road from the venue.
A Quick Chat With Sarah Hamilton…
1. What three words best describe you Fringe show?Embrace. Rollicking. Survival. 2. Who does your show speak to?My show speaks to people who like a good yarn; a swashbuckling tale. It speaks to people who feel a connection with their roots. It speaks to people who have escaped and survived, or who knows someone who has fled their homeland. 3. What other Fringe show will you NOT miss?Pirate Rhapsody, Mermaid Requiem. The image and blurb really grabbed me. I love the story of the little mermaid. 4. What other Fringe show do you wish you were in?Sarah Jones: Does not play well with others. Sarah is a ventriloquist. I would definitely like to swap places with her for a day! I can’t wait to see her show. 5. What do you love most about the Melbourne Fringe?It feels like a huge family! Such a supportive web to be entangled in. It is an enormous melting pot of creative people and ideas. The staff at Melbourne Fringe have been incredibly giving. I am so impressed by the artist development program. I have been nourished by what the Fringe has offered me so far, in particular the Outside Eye program and the Salons/Forums. And that’s before the Festival has even started yet! 6. How many Melbourne Fringes have you performed in?This is my third. 7. If you could invite anyone to see your show (and you know they would come), who would it be?I would invite Francis Roussel. He is my ancestor, one of the heroes at the heart of A Donkey and a Parrot. He would have turned 331 this year. 8. What is the best theatre advice you’ve received?To create my own work! Developing this show has been one of the most liberating experiences for me as an artist. 9. What was your most embarrassing moment on stage?Singing a song by myself during a primary school assembly about peas. My face glowed bright red. I earned the nickname Tomato. 10. Do you have any pre- or post-show rituals?I like to spend some time by myself pre-show. 11. What was the last book you read?The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas. 12. What TV show do you never miss?Spicks and Specks. But I’m not religious about it! 13. What film will you watch again and again?The Castle. 14. Who will hate your Fringe show?Tyrants, dictators, oppressors, despots. 15. What was your first time on stage?The kindergarten nativity. I played the Angel Gabriel. I wished I’d been Mary, but it was fun being an angel. 16. What is the first theatre show you remember seeing?Punch and Judy. It was pretty funny. 17. If you had access to the TARDIS, what performance would you see first?I’d travel back and see the first performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 18. What director/actor/writer would you just die to work with?Judi Dench. 19. What is your favourite theatre space in Melbourne?Fortyfivedownstairs. Transforms so beautifully. 20. Where in Melbourne do you always take visitors?The Melbourne Zoo. I work there! 21. How do you have your coffee?However it comes! I’ve only just got back onto coffee after a five-year break. Hopefully I’ll wean myself off it post Fringe. 22. What’s the best pizza topping?Vegetarian. I quite like corn chips and Mexican combinations atop a pizza. 23. What do love most about your Fringe show?I love telling a story that has been handed down in my family for over 300 years.
