Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#86): Carly Polistina, JANE EYRE WASN’T A WHORE
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 award-winning actor and comedian Carly Polistina to chat about their show, Jane Eyre Wasn’t A Whore.
Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
JANE EYRE WASN'T A WHORE is a part Rom-com, part period piece that will leave you laughing and blocking that guy (yes, that guy!) Brontë fanatic and aspiring actress Anne Brauer, a woman who is staunchly opposed to conventional modern dating. However, things take a gothic turn when she finds herself in a situationship with fellow actor Graham Huntington. Much like in a musical where characters burst into song, in this, Anne bursts out into passages from Brontë novels.
I am a huge Brontë fan. When my friends would rant to me about their dating lives and situationships, I would more often than not send a quote from a Brontë novel and say SEE! THIS IS YOU! I think all three of the sisters dissect and explore modern dating in the most accurate, powerful, way I have ever experienced. A lot of the inspiration for this show came from wanting to bring people into that world.
What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
There is an unexplainable excitement I feel around this piece that I am deeply excited to share with the world. It is the kind of excitement that got me to renew my passport and buy my plane ticket!
How would you describe your show in three words?
Situationship. Brontë. Hilarious.
What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I really want people to leave feeling seen. If I can get the audience thinking "Why would she do that?" AND "I've totally done that" I will be thrilled. That's what the Brontë novels have consistently done for me. OH and laughing! I want people to leave laughing.
What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
As this is my first year, I'm wide open to tips myself! I guess that's a tip: stay open to tips!
Where and when can people see your show?
People can find JANE EYRE WASN'T A WHORE at The Outhouse Bar - The Loft on August 2nd-August 23rd (excluding 9th, 16, 23) at 3:45 PM!
READ MORE FROM THE FRINGE..
