Brighton-based performer Rachel Blackman hails from a long line of classical musicians, but she’s never followed that path. When you’re surrounded by relatives who excel in something so refined and revered, how do you carve out your own identity without feeling like you’re falling short? In her latest work, Blackman explores the idea that failure isn’t the end, it might just be the beginning of something meaningful. What if there were space for the awkward moments, the everyday missteps, and even the epic embarrassments? What if those, too, could be part of the story?
You Aren’t Doing It Wrong (If No One Knows What You’re Doing) is a quirky, musical exploration of growing up, messing up, and celebrating our shared right to fail. The show was originally set to run last year but was postponed due to injury. Now back and bolder than ever, Rachel Blackman throws herself into the wreckage of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and all those non-award-winning moments. Expect gloriously bad ballet, cringe-worthy confessions, a surprise visit from a celebrity superhero, touching storytelling, and some truly stunning music — just not performed by Rachel.
Here’s an interview provided by Brighton Dome
Tell us a bit about the show. What can audiences expect?
This is a solo show asking how we might turn the awkward experiences of our childhoods
into something that we can, as adults, work with – maybe even embrace?
Expect some terrible ballet, some embarrassing confessions, a surprise appearance from a
celebrity super-hero, some moving storytelling and some incredible music not made by me.
And just like life and best laid plans, the show might not take you quite where you expect to
go… You will probably laugh, you might cry and you are very likely to feel some relief that it
isn’t you up there.
You had to postpone the show last year, didn’t you? What happened?
I ruptured my Achilles tendon. It is quite a dramatic injury. When it snaps, it makes a very
loud, audible BANG that sounds a bit like a gun shot. We were rehearsing at South East
Dance at the time and the sound was so loud, the staff came in to find out what was
happening. It sounds dramatic, it doesn’t actually hurt at first, but you suddenly can’t walk at
all.
Then you have to wear a big Darth Vader style boot for 3 months, 24 hours a day and then it
takes 6 months to be able to walk normally again. At first, I thought I might be able to do the
show in the boot, but the doctor looked at me like I had lost my tiny mind.
What inspired you to create the show?
For many years I’ve wanted to make a show about music. My family are all gifted (mostly
classical) musicians, and although I have also had a lot of classical training, I never seemed to
be able to make it fly in the same way or meet the expectations of myself or the world in a
way that made sense.
When I first started making the show, I thought I would need a professional musician onstage
with me. Then, the more I worked with director Emma Roberts, the more we realised I had
been sort of hiding behind other people to avoid uncomfortable truth.
Every time I approached the subject, I would hit these mental blocks of impossible
standards and imposter syndrome; so the show has emerged from wrestling with that. That is
the grit in the oyster.
You’ve left audiences with ‘warmth in their hearts’ and ready to ‘hug a stranger’ – what
do you want people to take away from You Aren’t Doing it Wrong…?
Recently a woman came up to me and said: ‘Hello, I saw your show. It had such an impact on
me – look!’ and she points to our show tote bag full of vegetables. The bag says in big pink
writing, ‘You Aren’t Doing It Wrong If No One Knows What You Are Doing.’
She is an art teacher and is using this phrase for her students to invite them to get a bit looser
with what they are expecting of themselves. This was the biggest compliment – that the show
might invite willingness to experiment. That is music to my heart.
How long have you lived in Brighton?
23 years. Blimey!
What made you choose it above Australia?
I fell in love with an English person and thought I would have an adventure. I also had a
British passport courtesy of my father – who is a character in the play. Australia can feel quite
isolated from the rest of the world sometimes, so it is natural to want to explore further afield.
England appealed to me because of its proximity to the rest of Europe. Just didn’t expect I
would still be here all these years later!
What do you love about Brighton and what is your pet peeve about Brighton?
One thing I adore about Brighton is being able to walk everywhere. I also love how the city
is nestled between the wild sea and the wild downs and so within ten minutes’ drive you can
be right in / with the natural world. I love that London is just down the road a bit too, but that
it isn’t London. Best of all worlds. If you have to live in England, I choose Brighton.
My least favourite thing about Brighton is the enormous dinosaur-sized seagulls that you
guys think is normal over here. Your fish & chips are not safe, people!
Read more: CollyFest Returns: A Free Week-Long Festival
Address: Church St, Brighton, BN1 1UE
Tickets: Brighton Dome
You Aren’t Doing it Wrong (If No One Knows What You’re Doing) is on at the Studio Theatre on Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 17 at 7.30pm.
