Daily Info sat down with Edy Hurst, the creator of Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself, to chat about this show and what audiences can expect when they see it.
Daily Info: What’s Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself all about?
Edy Hurst: Edy Hurst's Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself is a comedy all about the Lancashire Witch trials, a secret concept album by the Vengaboys, and absolutely nothing else. I was also recently diagnosed with ADHD, but I must stress the show is definitely *not* about the feeling of realising you those feelings of being different were kind of right, coupled with the realisation that what sounds initially a super power actually explains why you can't seem to make sense of the world. Despite reports from The Scotsman that the show is "A fine example of Neurodiversity in Action" it is simply about me learning I'm related to women accused in the 1612 Pendle Witch Trials, and also that the Vengaboys made a concept album where they learn to circumnavigate the globe.
DI: What can audiences expect from this show?
EH: Audiences can expect to see me, celebrated comedian Edy Hurst, take them on a vision quest across time and space to contact my recently discovered ancestors accused in the Lancashire Witch Trials, whilst at the same time seeing the Vengaboys appear at every turn. This is done through the greatest magic of all, the magic of theatre. Combining physical comedy, a very successful Tarot reading, live shamanic chant looping, and the biggest cauldron ever brought to a studio theatre in Oxford.
It's a funny, heartfelt show that people have been saying explores the weird journey of self-blame, forgiveness and understand that many late-stage neurodivergent folk experience. I wouldn't say that, as the show is largely about how Kim Sassabone, lead singer of the Vengaboys, singlehandedly circumnavigated the globe and also the witch trials that launched a new wave of panic across 17th century England, but who am I to blow against the wind?
DI: The show draws off of a lot of different influences. What links the Lancashire Witch Trials and the Vengaboys?
EH: Throughout history, stories of independent, powerful women have been cast through the lens of patriarchal values, trying to fit their accomplishments into a convenient narrative that maintains the status quo. Where one is a Dutch pop-star secretly creating an album about navigating their way through the world, the other is an elderly woman trying to support herself and her family in the rural North of England at a time of political and spiritual unrest. Nevertheless, history has time and time again overlooked and under celebrated the difficulties and the achievements they've faced, but they are linked through this story across centuries. How does that sound? That sounds pretty good doesn't it?
Also maybe there's something in here about me noticing something and getting quite focussed on it until I've committed a good chunk of my life to digesting every bit of information I can find to better understand it? But I would really contend it's the first very clever insightful point and not a diagnosable trait about my personality.
DI: Alongside the show you're launching a podcast, I Pod a Spell on You. What's that about?
EH: I Pod a Spell on You is a podcast where I invite disabled/neurodivergent creators and artists on to solve their very modern problems with very old magic books. Using spell books, grimoires and historic documents, I attempt to solve problems ranging from insomnia, feelings of safety, burn out to outright theft, with what has turned out to be a surprising level of success.
Guests include comedian Bec Hill, writer and practicing witch Jennifer Lane, BLINK dance theatre and more!
I Pod a Spell on You - Hosted by Edy Hurst
I Pod a Spell on You Podcast - Apple Podcasts
DI: Can you sum the show up in three words?
EH: Magical, Hilarious and Vengaboys (sorry if the and counts as thee words and also if this explanation is also included as adding this is way over three words but I just wanted to make sure that the and isn't counted as one of the three words. What a decision I would have made to have and as a way to sum up the show, who do I think I am?)
Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself comes to the Burton Taylor Studio on Friday 11th April and tickets can be found on the theatre's website.