2018 Edinburgh Fringe

Liz McMullen - Stupid Cupid interview

Liz McMullen. Copyright: Tom Webb

Ever feel confused about love? Where to find it and keep it? Do you think you touch yourself too often? You should go to "Cupid in training" Liz McMullen's show.

How stupid is cupid, really?

Have you ever been in love?! Love can make a fool out of anyone. But the truth is there are many different types of cupids out there, and in the show.

The main cupid in Stupid Cupid starts off pretty clueless. She has ideas about love, but as she begins her cupid exam to get her wings, turns out she ain't so prepared and textbooks don't mean jack in the test of love.

I think that's true in life as well. I know I have been an idiot about love, be it falling for a guy who was never interested or staying in a relationship was over ages ago, dating a jerk - we all have love blunder stories. Unless you are my grandparents who got married when they were 18 and are still together and in love to this day.

But most of us have had our hearts broken or been in messy relationships, and I blame the cupids. So I made a play about it. Who can't relate to that? Plus I wanted to explore the link between love and sex. That part is fun.

Liz McMullen. Copyright: Tom Webb

If love is a drug; should it be banned?

Hell no! Stupid Cupid would be out of work. Plus the whole world could use a little more love, cause it kind of feels like everything is going to hell in a hand basket. And not just good sexy time love but Love - butterfly feelings, rose coloured glasses, happy people. This world needs more happy people.

I think that in this digital revolution people are actually lonelier. It's so easy to get caught up in social media and living with our eyes glued to a screen.

In my play I explore what it means to be human, ask what love is and what it means to connect with people. I think that theatre and the Fringe is the perfect platform to explore those ideas and experiment with them!

Yes, I make eye contact with my audience members. I look into their eyes and wait a minute - it's fate - you're beautiful. I love you, we are meant to be together!

Oh sorry, I got a little distracted, what was I saying? Oh ya, I make eye contact in my show. It's crazy how some people love a bit of eye contact and some find it rather uncomfortable, so if eye contact ain't you thing, sit in the back, I promise you'll still enjoy the Stupid Cupid love ride!

Finish these song lyrics; Stupid Cupid you're a real mean guy, I'd like to clip your wings so you can't fly...

It's time for me to take your place,
spread my own love all over the place.
Stupid Cupid I'm setting you free
Cause I'm better than you, just wait and see!

Is there a difference between British and Canadian sense of humour?

Yes, no doubt about it eh! The Brits have witty banter in their DNA! It's a very intellectual kind of humour.

I was involved in the improv scene in London for a couple of years and I found that the difference between British performers and Canadian performers was Brits generally improvised with language, it was always about the witty banter, puns, facts, etc and the North Americans were far more character driven or physical comedy based. It made for some very interesting shows I must say. Expect for the farts.

Brits seem to LOVE fart jokes. Don't get me wrong, so do Canadians, but the Brits, it seems, have a special love of the fart.

Outside of the show, will you be playing Cupid at the Fringe?

Always. I can't help it. I love love. Everyone should have some love. You want some love? At the Brighton Fringe (I had my wings on) and I ended up at a picnic table with three men in their mid twenties and they all asked me advice about their relationships. So I dished it out. They all left with something to think about.

If you need some love advice this Edinburgh, come and find the girl in the white cupid wings. I have a heart shaped Connect Four style game and stand set up near Bristo Square everyday around 2pm. It's free to play and if you win you can pick something from my basket - Love Hearts, a Stupid Cupid badge, a condom or a cheeky kiss - just the cheekfellas!

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a magical place, the Big Apple of Fringe Festivals; I want to spread the love as much as I can while I am here.

Published: Saturday 18th August 2018

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