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StageWHISPERS Johnny O’Callaghan talks about Who’s Your Daddy?, a show based on his experiences as a single man adopting a Ugandan child
Was it difi cult to make a piece of theatre out of your own life? There was almost a need to write the story. I had to get it out of me. It was funny discovering the adoption took nine months – how I felt pregnant, craving processed meat even though I was a vegetarian. I think the most challenging part of it was to tell the story as it happened, not to censor it – show all my l aws. You play all the characters in this story. Which of these were the most challenging to create? My Irish family was the most fun. My mother’s i rst words were, ‘Who do you think you are, Angelina Fucking Jolie?’ when I told her I had met my Ugandan son. I i nd the audience love the family the most, probably because they express what the audience may be feeling when they hear my story. I think the biggest challenge was probably playing myself – and revealing the truth of where I was at the time – when I went on this odyssey.
Have you been surprised by reactions to the piece? The biggest surprise is the most conservative and religious the person, the bigger the impact the show seems to have on them. They really cared about me and understood what I was doing. I must tap into something that I was not conscious of while writing it. Or maybe because it is about family, love and following your heart.
You’ve adapted the piece for i lm. Who would be your ideal choice to play you? Ideally I would like to play myself. A lot of big Hollywood producers wanted the rights to the movie on the condition I would not play it. I think it will be more interesting to see the actor who lived the story play the part. So look out for Who’s Your Daddy? at the movies really soon starring Johnny O’Callaghan. Fingers crossed. ■ Who’s Your Daddy?, Assembly Hall, 623 3030, 4–26 Aug (not 13), 10.30pm, £11–£12. Previews 2 & 3 Aug, £8.
2–9 Aug 2012 THE LIST 61
✽ HITLIST BOY IN A DRESS Autobiographical show from third gender performer La JohnJoseph, whose career has taken him from a Liverpool council estate to the clubs of New York. See feature, page 66. ■ The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 558 7272, 6–26 Aug (not 13), 4.20pm, £10. Previews 2–5 Aug, £5.
Death Boogie The multi-media hip hop performance poetry musical prepares to take the Fringe by storm. See feature, page 62. Assembly Roxy, 623 3030, 4–27 Aug (not 13, 20), 7.50pm, £10–£12 (£8–£10). Previews 2 & 3 Aug, £5. All That is Wrong Controversial Fringe favourites Ontroerend Goed return with a new piece focusing on a confused 18-year-old girl. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, 3–12 Aug (not 6), times vary, £17–£19 (£12–£14). Preview 2 Aug, 8pm, £12 (£6).
The Letter of Last Resort and Good with People Double bill of plays by (arguably) Scotland’s leading playwrights, Davids Greig and Harrower. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, 5–26 Aug (not 6, 13, 20), times vary, £18–£20 (£13–£15). Preview 4 Aug, 1pm, £13.
Educating Ronnie Joe Douglas looks at foreign aid through his experience of supporting a Ugandan friend. See preview, page 71. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, 4–26 Aug (not 13, 20), 1.15pm, £10–£12 (£8–£10). Previews 2 & 3 Aug, £6.
The List New show from Stellar Quines starring Maureen Beattie as an isolated housewife and mother. See feature, page 72. Summerhall, 0845 874 3001, 4–25 Aug (not 6, 12 & 13, 20), 2pm, £12 (£10). Preview 3 Aug, £8 (£6).
The Trench Acclaimed company Les Enfants Wojtek the Bear Theatre Objectiv brings to life the
Terribles present a new show inspired by the story of a miner entombed in a tunnel during World War II. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 4–27 Aug (not 14), 1.10pm, £10–£12 (£9–£11). Previews until 3 Aug, £6. tale of the soldier bear who lived out his i nal days in Edinburgh Zoo. See feature, page 71. Hill Street Theatre, 226 6522, 4–26 Aug (not 14), 4.30pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). Previews 2 & 3 Aug, £5.