Mary O'Connell
MARY O’CONNELL is conflicted: she hates capitalism but she loves to shop. Money Princess is a hotly anticipated debut show from a blunt and disturbed perspective of observational annoyance and mischief.
When and how did you first become interested in performing & doing comedy?
I actually did about 5 gig when I was 17 as part of a school project where you got to choose whatever you wanted to do for the summer. It's the only thing I got an A* in. Although I stopped for a long time after that.
Have you learned anything new about yourself while creating MONEY PRINCESS? What was the development process like? What does the title mean to you?
It is quite introspective doing an hour show, especially your first hour which is sort of an introduction to who you are. I've learned that the way I feel about money isn't normal but I'm also definitely not alone in the way I feel about money, productivity and Capitalism. The development process was really interesting, it's the first time I've ever worked with a director (I worked with super star comedian and clown Elf Lyons as my director) and the show kept evolving every time I performed a work in progress version of it. The title for me has a few meanings, it's a self aware reflection on the desire for money whilst also not really having money. I'd decided on this title before something really huge happened to me (find out about it in the show) and then since this life event, the title has a completely different meaning but both are still true for me.
What's an out-of-context bit, joke or moment from your show that you really love getting to perform?
I have a really fun bit where I joke about late stage Capitalism and I do a call and response thing with the audience where they shout 'HOW LATE IS IT?'
Has anything unusual, amazing or unexpected happened at Fringe this year? Any weird or memorable moments so far?
So because my show is on at 6pm, it never gets too wild, but I did a guest spot at another show in the fringe and I got to crowdsurf the audience in order to give one audience member a prize he'd won during the show. And at another show I did which was more of a late night cabaret show, the closing act was a lady, totally nude hula hooping with a popcorn machine on her head, so popcorn was literally popping out while she was hooping and also rubbing butter all over herself.
Can you tell us about some other female-driven shows you've seen at Fringe this year that you would recommend checking out?
I'd really recommend seeing Sikisa's show Hear Me Out, Lulu Popplewell's show, Actually Actually, Ceyla AB's show Second Rodeo, and Elf and Duffy's show Heist