Edinburgh Fringe Q&A

Drawing on real life experiences, actress and playwright Star Stone is exploring public-shaming and social media mob mentality in her Edinburgh Fringe show, Villain Era.

In it, she tells her outrageous true story of going viral online and becoming an internet ‘villain’ to over 17 million people thanks to a YouTube reality series.

Here, she answers our festival Q&A…

How has your Fringe experience been this year?

Whenever I perform this show, I have an opportunity to share my story and take the power back. When I made the decision to write this show, I knew it would be difficult- reading through years of violent comment sections and googling myself – but I didn’t expect the opposite to occur – freedom.

There is a freedom that comes from facing your fear- confronting a shadow- staring it right in the face and not flinching. That has been my experience this year at Fringe, fully owning my narrative and inviting people in.

I performed this show one night where two people walked out because it made them uncomfortable- which has everything to do with them and not me – and I’ve had people stay after the show and let me know that this is the type of show that should be required viewing for anyone using social media, and in general for everyone to see.

It’s not an easy task to turn pain into power- but I’m a comedic alchemist and I’m here at Fringe hoping to use my platform and time here to create awareness about something that I am passionate about, mental health.

Performing at the Fringe for a month has been a hard reckoning and full realisation- that I am resilient and fully capable. I can fully withstand criticism, I can perform everyday without a microphone and not lose my voice (thanks, vocal training), I understand how to take space from producing and take care of myself and I can just as easily perform to an audience of one as I can a full house.

There is gratitude for the one person because imagine the alternative- having to cancel your show. One person is important. It’s never about how many people come to see your show, it’s the connection you have with who shows up.

What’s your show all about?

Villain Era is a dark comedy that uses multimedia to address the effects social media has on our mental health. It confronts cancel culture and online violence with wit and humour, but equally showcases the darker reality of both. There are inquiries throughout the show about gender disparities when it comes to online violence and an investigation into the root cause of “mob mentality”.

What is the biggest take away audiences have received?

Going viral isn’t about brand deals and celebrity status – that’s the false perception – it’s much more complex than that. I think that is the biggest take away people have gotten from the show.

As one critic tweeted “going viral is so in right now” or something to that extent. And that’s so many people’s desire – to go viral. But what people don’t realize is that with it comes a responsibility and not everyone who is given a platform is equipped to handle it. There’s no “aftercare” for victims of online harassment nor is there any recourse for those dishing out the hate online.

How does performing in Edinburgh compare to the US?

In Edinburgh, you have to work a little harder to invite audiences to laugh each night because they assume it’s not proper etiquette to laugh at something they deem sad or painful. In the US, if something traumatic happens to you and you retell it at a comedy show, there’s a 90 percent chance that a trauma bond will be created and laughter will instantly fill the space.

But here at my show, people need to know that they have permission to laugh like “Hey it’s okay you can totally laugh at this photo of me with devil horns.”

Laughter is welcome here. It’s how we heal. Someone gave me a bumper sticker at a stand-up class I took once and it said “At least all that trauma made me f*ing hilarious”- who are we if we can’t laugh at ourselves?

If you were in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?

Is this like if I had a magic wand or if I was really in charge? I will give both magical wand answers and real-er answers. I would give free housing to all participating artists or implement programs that subsidise housing to make housing as close to free as possible and work with the local government to fund these programs to have as little impact on the actual city and its residents as possible.

I would also create temporary housing options – only built for the Fringe and taken down after the festival- and work with the city to find land that would make sense for this type of infrastructure and then create Fringe designated transportation to and from these areas as well as have a partnership with Uber to support transportation.

I would create multiple scholarships for American artists to come to the Fringe, and work with Universities and other partners to make these scholarships accessible to anyone coming from the US to Edinburgh.

What’s your favourite spot to visit in Edinburgh?

Arthur’s seat.

How have your previous experiences of the festival been – either as a visitor or performer?

Both experiences have been equally as challenging as they have been personally rewarding and fuelled my creativity as an artist.

What essential item has helped you survive a month at the Fringe?

My attitude. Being able to meditate and ignore the noise. It’s so easy to walk past posters at the Fringe and see hundreds of 4 and 5 stars and feel like you’re doing something wrong. No, no you didn’t do anything wrong – just keep minding your business, focus on yourself and keep showing up to the best of your ability.

Who’d be your dream:

Podcast guest / co-host

I am not a podcaster. But if Julio Torres ever had a podcast, I’d love to be a guest on their podcast. Is this too “pick me”? Hi Julio.

Wrestling tag team partner

Kate Berlant- no further explanation.

Comedian to split a bill with

This is random but maybe Nick Kroll? I feel like this would be funny-like a bit and involve a lot of back and forths and maybe even a few carefully selected character voices.

Whose shows have you seen and enjoyed at the festival?

Ashley Gavin’s “My therapist is dying!”

What question would you ask other acts in a Q&A – and why?

What was a defining moment in your career? Describe a time you bombed and what it taught you? Who are you influenced and inspired by? If you could change one thing about this industry what would it be?

Star Stone – Villain Era is on at 5.10pm at Greenside, George Street until 24th August