Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#23): Arlene Hutton, SHAKE RAG HOLLOW

23 Jun

Conducted by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic

As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect.

Today we’re joined by Arlene Hutton about the show Shake Rag Hollow.

1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?

SHAKE RAG HOLLOW deals with generational trauma and family secrets. After nearly two decades in prison, a woman accused of murdering her uncle returns home to face her past and meet the daughter she never got to know.

In channelling my rage about the Gisèle Pelicot court case and so many other examples of violence against women I crafted a story about three women—grandmother, daughter and granddaughter—all of whom have been affected by the unspeakable actions of one man, a relative, who was much beloved in his community. I wrote the play for the three specific actors who have been involved in developing the script and who will perform it for this premiere.

2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?

I can’t believe it, but this year marks the 30th Anniversary of The Journey Company and my very first play, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe. Still my most produced work, I DREAM BEFORE I TAKE THE STAND is a political piece ahead of its time in how it dealt with shame and blame. The List called it “a new feminist classic,” and this started my career as a playwright.

I wanted to follow up our 2023 hit, BLOOD OF THE LAMB, with another of-the-moment story and wrote new play for two actresses I’ve worked with before: Dana Brooke, who originated BLOOD OF THE LAMB in Edinburgh and Adelaide, and Sofia Ayral-Hutton, my cousin, who is a brilliant up-and-coming actress in NYC. When the Assembly Rooms offered us a slot based on the synopsis alone, we jumped at the change to be back in The Front Room, a wonderfully intimate space that is perfect for SHAKE RAG HOLLOW.

3. How would you describe your show in three words?

Intense, family-drama, mystery

4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?

Our audiences will experience a tight ensemble of actors performing a compelling story worthy of further discussion. I hope audiences will be moved by this story of forgiveness and redemption.

5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?

Treating myself to the mushroom and chestnut hand-made pies at Jarvis Pickle Kitchen’s Pop-up Pie Hut in Assembly Festival’s George Square Gardens. (Don’t forget to add the mushy peas.)

6. Where and when can people see your show?

The Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, 14:10 daily, 31 Jul 2025 - 24 Aug 2025 (not Aug 1)

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/shake-rag-hollow