A daring piece of queer, feminist theatre fresh from its debut run at La MaMa experimental theatre club in New York, Hyena was described as a show 'about the beast within... an uncompromising examination of intimacy, vulnerability, and sexuality.' While women and LGBT audiences were a clear target for the campaign, the Fringe's reputation for promoting freedom of expression and diversity ensured that broader Fringe-focused publications would also be valuable for drawing in new audiences.
As the show opened in the final week of the festival, there was limited time for the show to build momentum. It was essential to get audiences and reviewers in as soon as possible, and create excitement before the team's arrival. In advance of the show's opening, preview coverage was achieved in The Skinny Magazine through contributions to an article on cost and funding, and the show was included in the print copy of The List Magazine Festival Theatre Day Planner.
A creative photo call the morning of the show's opening secured coverage on the second page of The Scotsman. Located at the heart of busy festival location George Square, bar and restaurant Paradise Palms was the ideal location to flyer potential audiences as they passed, intrigued by the photo shoot taking place. The images, featuring a beautiful mirror hyena mask created by La MaMa mask designer Jane Catherine Shaw, were intended to be both striking for media and to reflect the themes and values of the production. An appearance for Romana on Fringe Central panel, 'Queering the Mainstream Debate' raised the profile of the production among Fringe participants and helped reach more directly one of the target audiences. The show was 'diagnosed' by The Sick of the Fringe and Broadway Baby awarded 4 stars, naming Hyena 'the Fringiest show at the Fringe.'
Next stop for Hyena is United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival.
Written and Performed by Romana Soutus
Directed by Rachel Levens
Production Management by Amy Surratt
Stage Management by Kat Meister
Lighting Design by Cecilia Durbin
Costume Design by Lizzie Donelan