About the Production...
A thought provoking Fringe debut, written by Blue McElroy and directed by Grace Baker. Smile. [Like You’re Happy] explores the growing dissonance between our public and private lives through the topics of mental health and intimate partner violence in the age of social media and social isolation. #Follow Kate (Robyn Reilly), a recent university graduate, as she tries to navigate the world of a new relationship, self expression and social media. Not only is she battling these external forces, she also has to appease the voice of her nagging Mother- who displays herself as Kate’s internal alter-ego (Jess Ferrier). Kate is advised to share her mental health journey online by her new boyfriend Patrick (John Whyte), with the support of his younger brother Grem (Lex Joyce). This emerging cast of talented actors makes this show one to watch.
Established by Blue in 2020, Sparkle Sarcasm Productions has worked over the past year and has most recently joined in collaboration with Not So Nice! Theatre Company to workshop this production of Smile. [Like You’re Happy] to premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe before touring it in Canada. The line “Smile, Like You’re Happy” comes from a memory of Blue where she was witnessing a family photo being taken and the parents were forcing all the children to “Smile like they’re happy”. Blue made the connection of the memory, themes from Taming of the Shrew (a production she had recently seen) and public incidents of abuse online, to then focus on social media and the fake entertainment aspect of an ‘influencers’ life. How every brand endorsement, like and subscribe highlights the hidden toxicity of this social media bubble. A bubble which is shortly popped after they are confronted with trolls and bullies- which too often has terrible consequences. Grace Baker, making her Fringe directorial debut is excited to be exploring these themes and highlighting the severity of the topics laced throughout the performance.
Meet the Creative Team...
Blue McElroy
Playwright
Grace Baker
Director
Matthew Attwood
Assistant Director
Production Team
Stage Manager- Lewis Gemmel
Front of House Manager- Blue McElroy
Creative Administrator- Matthew Attwood
Set/Costume/Lighting Design- Grace Baker
Sound Design- Zoë Wester
Meet the Cast
Jess Ferrier
as Kate (M)
Lex Joyce
as Grem
John Whyte
as Patrick
Robyn Reilly
as Kate
Director's Notes
We have all forced a smile for the camera, but how much of a double life can you get away with today on social media?
Faking a moment or a lifestyle is easy in today’s world, people only post what they want other people to see. Social media can be described as a highlight reel - an exciting life with all of the boring bits left out. It is easily used to create unrealistic life goals which leave many of its audience leaving the apps disheartened. This can quickly manifest itself into a viscous cycle.
It is so important to know that your worth is not determined by how many followers you have or how many likes you receive on a photograph. This new world online is distorted, everything is filtered. An online community initially created as means of meeting people and making new friends finds itself becoming increasingly isolating.
As a director of such a controversial conversation it was imperative to me that this issue was handled with care. I really wanted to hone in on my own experience with social media and explore its pros and cons.
Anyone can smile for the camera, but what truly lies beneath?
How Grace met Blue...
Putting on a Fringe show in a little over two weeks sounds like an impossible feat, but that is exactly what the team behind the production of Smile. [Like You’re Happy] did.
Due to one of the team coming down with Covid, playwright Blue McElroy found herself in a bit of a tight spot. She had a play, a cast, even a venue but no director.
“The head of our Masters program put us in touch.” Said Blue “it was like a match made in creative heaven”.
The road was made a little easier by Grace Baker already having a production company with several productions under her belt - Not So Nice! Theatre Company.
“She immediately jumped in and got to work.”
Which was a good thing, since the troupe had only ten rehearsals together before their first show.
“It has been a whirlwind experience, but I would happily do it ten times over” said Baker “my cast and team have been nothing but optimistic, professional and a dream to work with”.
With all of this said we have been able to overcome every hurdle thrown our way and we are so proud to invite you to see this stunning original piece - Smile. [Like You’re Happy].