Interview: Jean Frazenblau, ‘My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Jean Frazenblau about My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far..

My mission is to shift the culture to a more compassionate world - whether it’s as a consent expert at universities, an intimacy professional for TV, film and theatre, a teacher of cuddle therapy, or a performer of my solo show. I wrote and starred in short films including Love and Coconut Cake and Internet Dating - which premiered at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. Coming from Los Angeles to the UK to perform at EdFringe is an absolute career high. I’m so thrilled.

What is your show about?

How does a mother react to the fact that her very-good-daughter is into BDSM? My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky is a sexy story filled with drama and comedy, love and lust. A reviewer from Broadway World Los Angeles had this to say: “What makes her stories come alive is Franzblau’s ability to inhabit each of the characters so completely that you really will feel there is more than just one person on the stage.” I’m deeply proud of my character work!

What was the inspiration for My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

I once had an important break up with a boyfriend. It was painful, but I did it. Saying “No” to him was also saying “Yes” to myself and my sexuality. Because that part of my life wasn't working. After processing a lot of grief, I felt empowered. I pulled out a list that I'd been keeping in my mind for a long time. My sexual bucket list. I wanted to have experiences - safe, consensual experiences - of a variety of sorts. What happened next was rich and unleashed a lot of my energy. It brought me on a journey that I couldn't stop writing about. And that turned into this show.

What made you want to take My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky to the Fringe?

The story has meaningful themes including sexual empowerment, intergenerational healing, and strengthening of the feminine and human spirit. It’s the best I have distilled down to a whiskey shot of love. With the world as it is, I feel it's important to hold nothing back. This is why it felt important to bring it to the Fringe. I have the strength, the passion and the power. This is my offering.

Apart from seeing My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

If you see a good-natured woman holding up a “Free Hugs” sign, that may be me! Say hello, and with consent, perhaps we’ll share a hug. With my background in cuddle therapy, this is my way to introduce a little bit of love and TLC into my Fringe experience. Maybe yours, too!

Why should people book My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky?

The show acts as a giant permission slip for people to explore the things in life that they are curious about. Even if those things are outside the norm. Let my story do its magic. The show has been honed like a diamond to do good things to you and for you. I’m coming from around the world to deliver it to you. Meet me.

When and where can people see My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky?

My late night performances are at theSpaceUK at Niddry Street August 2-10, 12-24 at 22:15. See you there!