10 Questions: An interview with Daphne Peña
Today we have a real treat in the form of Daphne Peña whose show The Bellydance Diaries is on at the Komedia Studio on Sunday 18th May at 6.30 pm. Belly dancing is a wonderful fusion of many dance styles and all the more exciting when top Arabic musicians play live creating an exotic atmosphere. So let’s hear from Daphne how she became fascinated with one of the world’s oldest social dance forms….
1. What inspired you to become a Belly Dancer?
Lily Tomlin’s show “Search for signs of intelligent life….” inspired me to write a one-woman show. All the amazing dancers in Egypt inspired me to continue learning this amazing art form.
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show?
I had such a wild time in Egypt that I wanted to write about what I experienced and involve others in the utter mayhem and wonder of it all. They should expect the unexpected.
3. What is your favourite Festival/Fringe and why?
I LOVED my first Edinburgh fringe in 2006. It blew my mind with wild artistic values. I saw as much as I could and tried to let everything I enjoyed sink in some way or another.
4. What’s your best advice for aspiring artists, performers and dancers on the Festival/Fringe circuit?
Keep an open mind and try and see shows and performances that you wouldn’t normally go to. Anything that inspires you will enhance your art in some way.
5. What is your funniest experience and also your worst experience performing or attending a Fringe/Festival?
Losing the top half of my costume during a performance. I got a standing ovation for managing to keep it on with my hands while dancing. I wondered what would happen if I just let it drop…..I think the mystery of it all worked better than the full monty, though!
6. As you travel performing at different festivals/fringes, where is your favourite place to vacation/chill out and why?
I love walking up to the top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. It’s full of loonies, but very entertaining. All these vortexes are supposed to converge up there and people are singing and chanting. It sort of makes me feel grounded, and quite normal and boring compared to everyone else up there. Now that doesn’t happen often!
7. Who is the person you most admire and why?
Well, again, Lily Tomlin. She’s so clever, outspoken, funny and a really giving person. As a young drama student I waited outside the stage door to see her after a show. She didn’t have to give us nobodies the time of day, but she did. She talked to us, gave us advice and her manager’s phone number if we wanted to come and see the show again. I think I’ve seen her show about 10 times.
8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?
Always wear clean cotton underwear. See, at least the bottom half of my costume has never slipped off!!!
9. What are the best books you have read and why do you like them?
Louis De Berniers, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Politically romantic with fabulous, unexpected twists. Also Natalie Goldburg’s The Wild Mind. Zen in the Art of Writing, so cool.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
That it would be possible to make a huge vacuum cleaner to suck up all those nasty greenhouse gases as well as all the ants in my kitchen!
