We interviewed actress Signy Lynch about her role in our upcoming production of A Young Lady's Guide to Vivisection at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Q: What is your name/role in the show?
A: My name is Signy Lynch and I’m playing Alice/Victoria/Dr. Sullivan

 

Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I’m a student of psychology and drama at Queen’s University, going into my final year. I’ve done a lot of shows in my hometown of Kingston and am also co-Artistic Director of our campus Shakespeare company, Vagabond Theatre.

 

Q: What are some of your defining experiences/training as an artist?
A: I’ve been fortunate enough to have trained with the fantastic Valerie Robertson. Some of my defining theatre experiences include playing Dorine in Tartuffe which was liberating, and more recently my direction of a production of Macbeth.

 

Q: In thirty words or less, what is the show about?
A: The show is about the adventures of Queen’s Medical students and faculty in the 1880s, and specifically deals with the arrival of the first lady students

 

Q: What is the most interesting thing you've learned in the research process?
I’ve learned a lot of interesting things during research (you know how they always say the truth is stranger than fiction), but possibly the most interesting thing is that these Victorian figures, the students and teachers, were just like us. You’ll be reading a journal entry, and realize it feels just like a conversation you might have with a friend, albeit with slightly more antiquated language.

 

Q: What are you most looking forward to about going to Fringe?
A: I’m thrilled to be in such an immersive environment of theatre enthusiasts, to talk to other artists and see their work.

 

Q: Describe the rehearsal process in 5 words:
A: Hysterical, exhausting, invigorating, fascinating, thrilling

 

Q: Why should people come see the show?
A: Awkward Victorian sex-ed classes.