Help Disabled Performers Go to Edinburgh Fringe

Who Are We - and What Do We Want?

Hi, we are Lexi and Andrew, we are both disabled, neurodiverse creatives, and we're fundraising to pursue a dream to perform at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. Lexi is a multi-award-winning actress and writer, and Andrew will be handling the producing and technical aspects of the show. The show, called After Shakespeare has already won Lexi the Best Actress award at the 2021 Buxton Fringe Festival, where it was also nominated for Best New Writing and Best Production.

We have already been offered a spot with the prestigious theSpace Venues; one of the premier venue organisers at the Fringe; and we've sourced some accommodation. Now we're asking you to help us get there.

Why Do We Need Your Help?

Three years ago, the world shut down for Covid, and the world became a harder place for many of us, particularly those in the arts, and particularly those with disabilities in the arts. Between the 2 of us we both have Autism and ADHD, which can have dramatic effects on our confidence and our abilities to adapt, but on top of that Lexi also has Fibromyalgia, BPD, C-PTSD and OCD - practically an alphabet of conditions! The fibro has been a particular issue when it comes to getting additional work to support her acting and writing, as she has been unable to commit to work that requires hours of effort a day. Andrew has gone through surgery on his back and knees, which has limited his mobility, and during lockdown he managed to successfully catch Covid twice, resulting in him getting Long Covid, a condition which has left him devoid of energy and with continual brain fog, and also unable to work.

Through careful planning, tracking patterns in their behaviours, moods and energy levels (an advantage of Andrew's functional Autism!) we have been able to plan a system that will enable the month at Edinburgh to work, but it will require a strict plan and regime; which includes a requirement for us to be somewhere quiet, where we have our own space to relax in, and also not be on top of each other, where we can also balance our medical requirements. This is why we have needed to organise accommodation in an apartment rather than the usual tents or shared logings that most performers at the Fringe will opt for, and why we are grateful that we have been offered a mid-afternoon performance slot.

We strongly believe that it is important to show people that just because you have conditions and disabilities, it doesn't mean you're not able to achieve and be successful - as Lexi has already shown with her awards.

If You Have These Conditions, How Can You Do The Fringe?

A very valid question. As stated above, we have looked carefully at our medical needs, and over several years we have tracked and monitored how we perform and react under performance situations. As part of this, Lexi took part in a week-long run of a full-length show in London at the start of January, and we have also performed at venues up and down the country (when lockdown restrictions have allowed it). We have been touring our shows together since 2017, and have learned what our limits are. Also, very importantly, Fringe shows are only an hour, and our 4pm performance time means we can have early nights and late get-ups in the morning! We have also booked parking close to the venue for the duration, so that we don't have to walk much for the duration of our run, to help save energy. Unfortuantely all these precautions cost more. Needing our own space to stay in (for a month), needing parking in the centre of Edinburgh, and the cost of a prime-time slot at a premium venue.

OK, So How Much Do You Need?

We want to be transparent with eveeryone - we could easily just give a target total, but by breaking it down it gives us mini milestones to aim for as well! So here it goes:

On top of this, of course, we have travel costs, insurance, marketing (posters, flyers, advertising, etc) sustenance, and props, costume and make-up for the show among other ancillary charges (over another £1,000.00!).

What's In This For You?

Well, besides the knowledge that you're helping someone achieve a long-term dream! We want to say thank you to you for supporting us. So we want to offer something back to you.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for donating and making dreams come true.