Britney

This past Friday I had the chance to see “Britney” by Charly Clive and Ellen Robertsson. This moving play tells the story of two friends and their life after one of them is diagnosed with a brain tumour. The play is based on true events. It is a fantastic piece, if you are at the Edinburgh Fringe you should go see it.

From Camdram:

BRITNEY: when good brains go bad. This is the very true and very funny story of two best friends coming to terms with one being diagnosed with a brain tumour. As told by a host of unlikely and occasionally fictional characters, the show is a comedy cum sketch show cum cabaret cum play cum one cum all cum to the show. Hopefully it’s a reminder that sometimes laughter is the best medicine. (Ultimately the best medicine is the operation and please, if you have a brain tumour, seek urgent medical attention).

Below are some photos from the play, and our photoshoot afterwards.

“What you are about to see is a true story.”
“Mostly. As true as we can make it.”

Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson facing each other, pink light on their faces.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson

“There is no such thing as left-brain or right-brain personality type. We are not left or right-brained, we are whole-brained.”

Reenacting Charly's blood test at the hospital.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson

“Britney seemed imaginary. Like being scared of a monster under the bed. That’s why it was so easy for us to think of her as a character in this show. She seemed made up.”

Charly Clive pretend-smoking on stage.
Charly Clive
On stage: Charly upset with what Ellen is telling her.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly describing the tumour.
Charly Clive
After the opration, Charly resting, Ellen worried.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly still in hospital bed. Ellen playing a doctor.
Ellen Robertson and Charly Clive
Charly and Ellen
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Picture of Audience.
.
Outdoor portrait of Ellen Robertson, Charly Clive and the teddy bear.
Ellen Robertson and Charly Clive
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson looking at each other, smiling.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson looking off into the distance.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Ellen Robertson and Charly Clive outdoor on a park bench in Edinburgh.
Ellen Robertson and Charly Clive
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson posing for the camera.
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Portrait of Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Portrait of Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Portrait of Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson
Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson

There is a great interview with Charly and Ellen posted on www.netdoctor.co.uk, which gives some background information about the real life events that lead up to this play. Update: They also did a run in Cambridge January 2017 (Varsity preview).

You can find more photos from other shows at the Edinburgh Fringe here.

Cast
Performer – Ellen Robertson, Charly Clive

Production Team
Director – Emily Burns
Producer – Alex Cartlidge
Edinburgh Photographer – Johannes Hjorth

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