Episode 128: Edinburgh Fringe 2022 Livia Kojo Alour

Episode 3 of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 series Today Louise and Elaine chat with performer, spoken word poet, writer, vocalist, sword swallower Livia Kojo Alour about her new Edinburgh Festival Fringe show Black Sheep. BLACK SHEEP After moving to London to live within a more diverse community, Livia learns that the self-hate feelings she experienced all her life are internalised racism and survival techniques. While building her career in the circus industry she grows tired of playing a stereotype and starts unpacking layers to grow and overcome. She uses poetry, music and performance to speak about the challenges a Black woman faces when daring to move into her power. Carving out a place for herself as one of the UK's up-and-coming Black voices, Livia presents a performance that is timely, unsettling and powerful. See Black Sheep at Assembly Rooms – Powder Rooms @9pm 5th – 28th August 2022 (excluding 14th & 15th August) SHOW: Black Sheep INSTAGRAM˚@missa_swords TWITTER: @livia_k_alour LIVIA KOJO ALOUR Livia Kojo Alour (formerly known as MisSa Blue) the iconic variety star, international recognised sword swallower, vocalist, poet and exhibited artist. Her extensive work stretches from Theatre over Live Art to Circus. Livia is one of only 4 black sword swallowers world-wide, was voted ‘Most Influential Performer in Europe 2018’ and was the first sword swallower to perform at the legendary Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas! Livia, based in London U.K. works regular for upscale venues and Theatres around the city and is about to embark on a national tour with her debut solo show Black Sheep. Current and past residencies include Soho Theatre, The Underbelly Southbank, Bush Hall, Rich Mix Studio, Camden People’s Theatre, The Box, Proud Embankment, Assembly Festival Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe Australia, Duane Park NYC, several Off-Broadway productions in NYC, The Orleans Hotel Las Vegas, Wintergarten Berlin, GOP Variety Theatre Germany, The Firebirds Burlesque Show, The Museum of Contemporary Art Bordeaux and many more. She’s a firm favourite with press. Platforms like the BBC, The Guardian & The Voice Newspaper interview her on regular basis. Livia spoke inspirationally on TEDx about overcoming fear and how a life threatening sword swallowing accident changed her perception of the artistic process and helped her become an activist supporting queer performers of colour in the Arts. PLANNED PARENTHOOD DONATE DONATE ABORTION SUPPORT NETWORK UK ASN.COM- DONATE LINKTREE P&N Linktr PayPal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/persistentandnasty for those who can donate. A million thanks and love. Resources https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland http://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/ https://rapecrisisni.org.uk/ https://rapecrisis.org.uk/ https://www.artsminds.co.uk/ https://www.bapam.org.uk/ https://freelancersmaketheatrework.com/sexual-violence-support-services/ Stonewall UK Trevor Project Mermaids UK Switchboard LGBT+ GATE WeAudition offer: For 25% off your monthly subscription quote: NASTY25 Backstage Offers: Get a free 12 months Actor Subscription: https://join.backstage.com/persistentnasty-uk-12m-free/