Edith is an urban, Jewish Canadian artist. Edith finds herself stuck in a Kent marsh, with a young family to raise, and declining parents back home… But things out on the marsh aren’t what they seem...
Coming to the Dugdale Arts Centre for one night only, on Saturday 22nd July, is a one-woman play that's part autobiography, part myth, and digs into what happens to women when they become culturally and geographically dislocated for the “greater purpose” of mothering.
Wild Country, currently on national tour, is performed by Edith Tankus, an award-winning director, actor, writer and clown. Born in Canada and now based in Kent, she's worked with companies including Kneehigh, Told by an Idiot and Shakespeare's Globe.
Co-writer with Edith is Annie Siddons and the show is directed by Laura Keefe.
Parents and carers, how has your world changed?
Wild Country is based on Edith's personal experience of being transplanted to a new country and trying to raise a young family, exploring themes around parenthood, isolation and shifting identities. And while touring the country with her show, she's also a mission to hear what others' experience of parenthood or caring is.
How has your world changed? Does it continue to change? What do you have to say about it?
Come along to Edith's free Wild Country workshop on Friday 21st July at 11am:
"In a safe space, through playful games and discussions, we’ll be sharing our stories to create an audio piece which will give voice to the experiences of everyday parents and carers - no subject will be taboo!
"Expect laughter, connections, and heartfelt exchange.
"And of course, lots of tea and biscuits!"
Book tickets for Wild Country on 22nd July
Reserve a place at the workshop on 21st July
Edith Tankus talks about how she came to create Wild Country
Edith, how did Wild Country come to life – was there one particular moment that prompted you to turn real life into art?
It wasn't necessarily one moment but rather a slow burn of many moments.
I moved from Toronto to a small village in Kent, newly married, eight months pregnant, no drivers license, terribly isolated.
Fast forward a few years later: I have two children, I'm working on a show in London...
Then I get the news, my mother is diagnosed with Alzheimers.
Shortly after this, my eldest child becomes ill and ends up wheelchair-bound for a period of a year. I was tethered to home, caring for both children and flying out to Toronto to deal with my mum's care.
After the dust settled, it was then I unravelled. I lost myself and was looking to find a way back in. That's when I decided to write this show.
How do you manage to steer a path between the real story and the fictional?
I was kept on track by my co-writer and friend Annie Siddons. The play is grounded in some elements of truth but it was more important to highlight the mythology inherent in the story rather than presenting 'an evening with...'
Essentially, it's a myth of transformation, swaddled in banal domesticity. How do you find yourself after being lost in the wilderness for so long?
The final result hopefully proves to be layered, surprising and funny.
How has the show affected your actual life, if at all. And is the show likely to evolve further in line with real life?
Writing the show, working with a brilliant team and building it in front of an audience over time was a gift. The seeds of the show happened pre-covid and it was ready to premiere just before we went into lockdown so there have been a lot of stops and starts. Now with the show up and touring, I want to hear other people's stories!
Along with the show on Saturday, we're offering a free workshop on Friday open to parents and carers to share their experiences through playful games and discussions. No subject is taboo!
Could you share any ‘they’d never believe it’ moments that didn’t make the show?
There's too many and that would be a different show.
What’s next for Wild Country?
We're planning to continue touring Wild Country and grow our podcast to reach more communities, including those with dementia and their carers.
