Eme Essien
EME ESSIEN explores an all new hour of material in Fine Print, following her last acclaimed show. With captivating storytelling and hilarious sketches, join Eme as she asks where we are all going wrong, and how exactly do we level up.
If your younger self could watch you perform now, how do you think she would feel? How did your childhood influence the way you see the world?
I think she would feel like this was surreal. Like it wasn’t truly her. Performing at the Fringe (in any sort of production) seemed like a lottery of the selected few who were chosen by the powers that be. The idea of solo comedy show at the Fringe would not have even been a thought. My younger self had no role model to look up to (at the time) or be encouraged by so honestly, it is truly surreal.
My childhood was seen through the lens of a young Black female of Nigerian heritage, growing up in South-East London. At home, it was very much Nigeria. The food, the language, Church every Sunday, family gatherings, studying all the time. My parents stayed true to our culture and so there was always a distinction between how I lived my home life and how I continuously discovered how my classmates, friends etc lived their lives and expressed their beliefs. In the midst of all of that, I had a sense that I didn’t quite fit in fully in either worlds and so I naturally became an introvert. Many people who know me on a base level find that hard to believe because they associate an introvert with being shy. What I learnt from a young age, is to be all things to all people and if I dared to reveal an intimate part of myself to a group that did not quite understand, I immediately retreated back to inner self. I saw the world in many parts that I had to constantly adjust at each new level or experience.
Did you learn anything new or unexpected about yourself while developing FINE PRINT?
I learnt how much I procrastinate, whilst writing this show. I learnt that I procrastinate from a place of fear and the urge to be perfect at everything I do. I have also now learnt that there truly is no such thing as perfection!
How and when did you start finding your own creative voice?
My creative voice has always been there, just, hidden for no one but me to see. I think around 2015 when I wrote my first solo piece was when I started to come into my own. I had ideas, been in drama school, acting jobs etc that were all characters/ideas/concepts that were asked of me and so I took them and gave them my voice. I actually wrote my first show not intending to be a solo piece but the other ladies I had on board, slowly dropped out and so I said ok, it’s just me, so let’s just go for it! It was then I realised that I didn’t need to hide behind other people to perform, I could write truly from the heart, and it developed from there.
What is next for you, after Fringe? What are you hoping to do, create or write in 2024?
Well as soon as the Fringe is over, I am going to go on that holiday that never happened! If you watch my show, you will know what I mean! I have been working non-stop to fund the trip and so I do need to reset. I am excited to get stuck into writing again as I will be working on re-writes of the show and my next project (very very excited for this one!) so that will be my focus.
Can you tell us about some other female-driven shows you've seen at Fringe this year that you would recommend checking out?
You have to check out my lovely friend Suhani Shah, Spellbound. She is a female Magician from India and I think, possibly the only female Mentalist I know of. She is wonderful! She is on every day at 5.25pm at Clover Underbelly. My friend Letitia is in Oscar at The Crown which is an immersive nightclub musical, so basically one big party!