Interview: Katie Hurley, You’re SO F**king Croydon

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 Katie Hurley about You’re SO F**king Croydon.

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

Hello! My name is Katie Hurley, I’m an actress, writer and producer from Croydon. I have a cat called Skepta, a husband called Nic and a show called ‘You’re SO F**KING Croydon!’.

I left drama school in 2007 and spent about six years knocking on doors, trying to get work with very little luck. In the end just thought F this, make your own. So I started to do just that, initially as a performer/producer but I eventually turned my hand to writing as well, all whilst juggling several ‘bills jobs’. It’s been a bit of a slog at times but I’ve been lucky enough to receive bits of funding over the last couple of years so I’ve actually been able to pay some incredible people to work with me and help take my ideas to the next level. 

My work is always female-led and tends to be quite contemporary. I try to blend comedy and drama no matter how serious the subject matter. And most of the characters that I write are inspired by people I know or have grown up with in Croydon. I basically just try and make stuff that my mates would like. 

What is your show about?

It’s autobiographical show that explores noughties club culture and female resilience using music, dance, comedy and spoken word. At its essence, it's the story of a woman triumphing over adversities whilst asking if where you live shaped who you are and who you’re destined to be….. Featuring David Bowie. 

What was the inspiration for You’re SO F**king Croydon and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

It’s taken from a David Bowie quote: 

“It was my nemesis, I hated Croydon with a real vengeance. It represented everything I didn't want in my life, everything I wanted to get away from. I think it's the most derogatory thing I can say about somebody or something: ‘God, it's so f**king Croydon!’

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Croydon myself over the years so can connect with what he was saying, but at the same time I really wanted to challenge the quote and reclaim what it means to be, ‘SO F**KING Croydon!’. I don’t see it as an insult any more but a badge of honour.

In 2021 I got a DYCP (developing your creative practice grant from ACE) which enabled me to spend a year experimenting with different performance styles and storytelling methods. At the end of the year I had a few little scenes that I tested out at a scratch night and I thought actually this could be something. 

The show went through a period of R&D last summer and I’ve performed a couple of work in progress versions since to see how it lands with different audiences. I feel like we are so nearly there so by the time you see it in Edinburgh it should be the real deal!

What made you want to take You’re SO F**king Croydon to the Fringe?

As soon as I thought this could be a show, Edinburgh was immediately the goal. I last took a show up in 2016 and have been desperate to get back since. I love it! I know it’s a hustle and it has its flaws, particularly around access, but there’s so much magic in the air. 

I love the fact I get to wake up every day and perform, it makes me really feel like an artist. I’m so excited about the journey the show will go on from getting to do such a long run. I am also really inspired by all the other great work there. I just don’t think there’s anywhere else like it! 

Apart from seeing You’re SO F**King Croydon, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Climb Arthur’s seat cause, it’s a great view and why not… 

Eat at the David Bann vegetarian restaurant the food is banging! Also, if we get nice weather, the meadows is a good place to hangout and people watch. 

Why should people book You’re SO F**king Croydon?

It’s fun, it’s nostalgic, there's great music (if you like old school garage and 90s R&B) and I give out pickled onion monster munch 20 minutes in.

When and where can people see You’re SO F**king Croydon?

 Venue: Cowgate - Belly Dancer 

Date: 1st - 25th Aug (no show 13th) 

Time: 4:10pm