Morgan-Drew Glasgow
An innovative exploration of societal pressures on women and the impacts on their psyche, SEALED is a compelling, funny and frenetic explosion onto the theatre scene from fresh Scottish talent MORGAN-DREW GLASGOW.
In SEALED, you explore some selkie mythology - how did this become part of your concept in the show?
In Scottish/Irish/Nordic mythology, Selkies are seal people who can shed their skin to live on the land as humans. Often the stories include a love struck human who hides their skin to keep them on land. Due to seals' gentle nature, Selkie's represent compassion and are often mothers in the stories - either to seal cubs or to human children when they come to land. They also represent freedom and escapism as their call to/from the sea is stronger than any other force or responsibility they have. I have been obsessed with the sea since I was a kid, because what's more freeing than the mysterious, tempestuous ocean?
What is the "heart" of your show, or how does it express something deep and meaningful to you?
Having suffered with my mental health since I was a teenager and being diagnosed with Clinical Depression and Anxiety Disorder in my early 20s, I have often wanted to escape my own head and body. Spoiler - not possible. I wanted to give myself permission to say 'what if?'. What if I could escape entirely while still staying on this earth, what would that look like? I have always lost myself in stories whether that be plays, films, books etc and in truth another reason I became an actress, being able to transform into someone else for a while. So I wanted to incorporate folklore from my homeland of Scotland into this story of escapism.
The aspect of motherhood that is explored in the show comes a variety of places - my own desire to become a mother in the near future and my fears about what that would look like, my own experience of growing up in a single mother household and the beautiful yet intense relationship that created and reaching an age where my childhood friends are becoming mothers. Being witness to this new phase in life and deciding how we can embrace and welcome it whilst honouring the times before.
I wanted to create a character who is a product of a society that continuously fails women yet holds them responsible for the desperate measures they go to while surviving. I took it that bit further and explored the concept of the 'bad woman' . Notorious female killers, 'promiscuous' women throughout history - because when a woman does a bad thing, she is so much worse than a man who does a bad thing. We are expected to be more morally 'rich' than men despite being undervalued and underrepresented in comparison - no wonder we are exhausted!
Could you talk about the process of developing SEALED and how it has changed from the first draft or version?
The first version was an exploration of addiction with the Selkie/seal skin concept representing the Jekyll/Hyde part of addiction and those who live with addicts. This was a story for a life I had with an ex-partner and when that relationship ended I had a moment of 'No - this isn't your story. Tell your story' So I went back to the drawing board and figured out what I actually wanted to say. I then went into a few months research and development focussing on the pre-mentioned themes - this was my favourite part of the process. I will fall down research holes for days!
What's next, after Fringe? What are you hoping to perform in or create next?
My theatre company, Secondhand Rhiannon Theatre Co, is just a baby! I have a short run of SEALED booked for another Scottish theatre, and would like to do a UK tour in 2024. In terms of the next piece of work, I would like to write something more obviously political focussing on class. As a working-class creative, it's important to me to be a part of the conversation about representation and accessibility in the arts and collaborate with other theatre-makers in the same boat.
Can you tell us about some other female-driven shows you've seen at Fringe this year that you would recommend checking out?
Character Flaw by Pip Dawson @ Greenside, Nicholson Square - a hilarious and heartfelt show about being a girl growing up with ADHD. High Steaks by Eloina @ Summerhall - Important show surrounding labiaplasty and generational trauma regarding body issues. Everyone - labia or not - needs to see this show. We also loved We'll Have Nun of It at UnderBelly - a Sister Productions project. And Annabelle Marlowe's ..is this okay? At Pleasance. She's a star!