Babs, Deborah and Julia are the Lady Gardeners – a theatre company made up of women all over 60 and sticking two fingers up to the idea that being post-menopausal makes you invisible. This summer, they’re premiering their hilarious and heartwarming new show In The Lady Garden at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We spoke to the dynamic trio ahead of their run and found out about their backgrounds and what they’re looking to gain from the biggest arts festival in the world.
In The Lady Garden will be performed at 2.15pm in the Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker 1) from 31st July – 25th August (Not 13th or 20th)
Booking link: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/lady-garden
Can you give us a little bit of backstory on the show and what it’s about?
Babs wrote the play during lockdown after being trolled on Twitter. Initially, the play was a competition entry following a show about trolling performed in The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth. The play focuses on Alice, an imaginative, intelligent woman, who looks back over her life and her thwarted hopes and dreams. Alice considers how her spirit was crushed by her mother, teachers and husband. There is an abundance of humour, laugh out loud comedy as well as genuinely touching and uplifting moments. Will Alice rise above the negativity that has kept her 'firmly in the shade'...? Come along to Bunker One at the Pleasance Courtyard to find out!
How did the three of you meet?
Deborah and Babs met in 2021 on Twitter via #OVConnect, the Old Vic Theatre’s network. Babs had written a play and was interested in finding a director. Deborah had already spotted Julia performing a monologue online for Slackline Productions during the lockdown. Julia auditioned for In The Lady Garden via Zoom in September 2022 and was offered the role of Alice straightaway. Then we all met in person for the first time under the Messenger statue, outside Theatre Royal Plymouth, and The Lady Gardeners came in to being!
With age comes wisdom - what would you tell your younger selves if they could see your achievements now?
Always avoid negativity! Strive to be optimistic every day. Be bold, be brave and trust your instincts. You are never too old to try something new - the important thing is to believe that you can do it!
Babs, you have written seven novels and taught English for many years. What’s your advice on staying focused during the writing process and dealing with writer’s block?
Babs: Routine! I worked in schools for many years juggling a career with family life and having a set routine allowed me to achieve my goals each day. Now, as a writer, I continue to stick to a routine. I write between 9am and 5pm and take a lunch break. I have never experienced writer's block I feel there are so many stories left to tell.
This is your Edinburgh Fringe debut. What are you most looking forward to in being part of the festival?
We are looking forward to enjoying our newfound friendship and having an exhilarating and fun packed month at the Fringe. We hope to see lots of shows, meet new people and are excited to be taking In The Lady Garden to a wider audience. Overall, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the world's largest arts festival!
In The Lady Garden will be performed at 2.15pm in the Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker 1) from 31st July – 25th August (Not 13th or 20th)
Booking link: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/lady-garden
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