Maria from Hey Thanks! Theatre Collective tells We Love Brighton About Their Show.
Please tell us about your show:
On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of a young woman was found in an abandoned lot. It became one of the most famous unsolved cases in true crime history.
Elizabeth Short believed in the inherent goodness of people. She knew the universe would catch her if she fell. Until it didn’t. After her gruesome murder, Elizabeth was reborn as an icon known as ‘The Black Dahlia’. After almost 80 years of media speculation, The Black Dahlia has never been able to tell her own story – that is, until tonight.
Part chilling mystery, part experimental cabaret, ‘The Dahlia Files’ explores the commercialisation of violence and gore, and the ethics behind true crime entertainment.
Who is your show for?
Our show is perfect for fans of true crime entertainment, and for fans of murder mysteries. It offers the rare opportunity to hear about the crime from the victim herself, while also prompting us to reflect on why there is such enthusiasm for true crime. Is it morbid curiosity? Is it the thrill of solving a real murder? Is perpetuating the consumption of this content actually offering a pathway to infamy, and making these crimes more prevalent? The show will ask these questions while offering a really heartfelt, intimate look at this particular murder.
Why should people come and see it?
I think plenty of modern true crime/murder mystery entertainment is digital, and therefore quite a removed, solitary experience. In this show, you get to meet the character, interact with her throughout the show, and feel her excitement and pain with a fellow audience. Trystan Youngjohn, the writer/actor of the show, is particularly brilliant at creating an environment where you feel excited by what will happen next, but also nervous, because it is often unpredictable. I think it’s a very unique, confronting show to experience.
Have you performed at the Fringe before?
Yes! We came to Brighton Fringe last year, and we performed at the Lantern Theatre with our show ‘Kitchen Underwear’ – a sapphic love story. It was a truly valuable and supportive experience, and Brighton was a fantastic place for a queer love story to find an audience.
What do you love about Brighton Fringe?
The Brighton Fringe is such a supportive, truly fringe-y environment. Lots of shows have their premieres (or UK premieres) here, so Brighton Fringe audiences and their reactions really play a huge part in show development! Last year, we saw many Brighton Fringe shows continue on to Edinburgh Fringe, or a non-festival run, and it was exciting to know we caught them at an early stage, and chatted to their creative teams before they continued developing.
What do you love about Brighton?
The beach! You’re telling me whenever you’re in a bad mood and you live in Brighton, you can go and look at the sea? Amazing. Any city near water always has great energy.
Are there any other shows you are excited to see?
We’re so excited to see ‘Jimmy Made Parole’, by Charles Edward Pipe. It’s a hilarious one-person show, with plenty of audience interaction, where a very charming hooligan has (as the title implies) just made parole, and is getting ready for a date with his dame.
We also can’t wait to see ‘Medium’ by Isaac Freeman – a play, like ours, based on true events. In 1875, two of London’s favourite spiritualist Mediums are waiting for a seance to begin. The play asks the question – how far can belief take you?
The Dahlia Files is showing at The Lantern Theatre as part of Brighton Fringe from May 15 to 19 at 5pm.
Tickets: Brighton Fringe
Venue: The Lantern Theatre, 77 St James Street
