Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#32): Kate Coulson, LIONESS

27 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 Kate Coulson to chat more about Lioness.

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

Of course! Lioness is a one-woman comedy drama exploring confidence, fan culture and the footballing gender pay gap. Goalkeeper Marnie juggles side jobs, a Premier League boyfriend and sexist Twitter trolls. The audience follows her journey navigating the periods, penalties and pressure of the WSL Championship – while battling to save her side from relegation.

I grew up in football crowds, so the idea of creating a show spotlighting the women’s game - which was forced into the shadows for so long - was one I couldn’t shake. As a born and bred Arsenal fan, I idolised Alex Scott growing up. Twenty years ago though, there weren’t that many opportunities to watch the women’s game, let alone play. Of course, that changed after the Lionesses’ iconic victory in Euro 2022. But we’ve still got so much more to do - most football fans who saw our WIP shows didn’t realise that the women’s game was banned for fifty years. I want Lioness to take off the rose-tinted glasses which women’s football is viewed through, but while celebrating the sweaty joy of changing room friendships and victories on the pitch.

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

This project is three years in the making, with the goal always being to coincide with the 2025 Women’s Euros, which kicks off in early July. Hopefully more fans of the men’s game will have been converted – even if Scotland didn’t qualify.

The buzzing atmospheric crossover between football grounds and theatres is finally being recognised - but so many football fans think theatre is “too posh” for them. I want to create a show about football to get as many first-time theatregoers in as possible, massively inspired by what James Graham achieved with Dear England. We all have a responsibility to make theatre more accessible - especially when arts funding is getting cut everywhere you look.

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

A back-of-the-net winner!

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

Hopefully wanting to support their local women’s team! Many women’s football fans also identify as LGBTQ+, so I want to reinforce to them that they are safe and welcome watching the beautiful game - and celebrate their support with a killer soundtrack!

I want to make my audience laugh, then think. Hopefully my audience learns a thing or two about women’s football, but if they leave feeling entertained, I’m just as happy.

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

The last time I was up as a performer was ten years ago when I was underage, so my top priority was getting served! Now I’ve got the eye bags and laughter lines as my ID, so I’m going to try and sleep when I can.

6. Where and when can people see your show?

1-23 August at Clover Studio at Greenside @ Riddles Court at 12:40.