Interview - Bliss
Written by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie, the musical Bliss is bringing its story to life at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe! Alicia Belgarde steps into the spotlight as a Perfect Princess, alongside her off-stage role as the show’s Dance Captain.
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bliss
Venue: Grand at Pleasance Courtyard
When: 5th - 31st August (not performing on 12th, 18th & 25th)
Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your role in the show?
I’m Alicia and I’ve been working as an actor in the musical theatre industry since 2019. I’ve never done the Edinburgh fringe before so this is super exciting. My role in the show is many different things! The ensemble of Bliss play many different parts from Perfect Princesses to mean Jesters. I’m also dance captain on the show.
You were also part of the cast during the workshops of Bliss, how does it feel for you to finally bring the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
I’m so excited to be with the production at this stage. The set and costumes are absolutely stunning. This is by far the biggest production I’ve seen go to the fringe.
Together with your role as a Perfect Princess, you're also the Dance Captain for Bliss. What is it like for you to combine these two very different roles, one on stage and one off stage?
Well it’s definitely a game of multitasking! Being aware of what everyone else is doing whilst doing my own track is a challenge but a very fun and rewarding one. I also have a very talented assistant dance captain, Misty May Tindall, who will be a great help to me once we’re up and running.
From the early workshops to these final rehearsals before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, how has your character grown or changed?
The show is now a very snippy 80 minutes with no interval rather than the full length show it was before. The ensemble are pretty much on stage all the time and they’ve kept the very best bits of the show.
The producers behind Bliss are also the brilliant minds behind Cabaret and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What has the whole process been like working with such an amazing team?
As I said previously, the scale of this production for the fringe is absolutely huge. The production team are so kind and caring and they really appreciate every single person in our team. It’s clear that they are passionate about every inch of this production and that’s lovely to be a part of.
Bliss has such an empowering, modern story. What is the main thing you hope the Edinburgh Fringe audiences take away from the show after watching it?
To cherish your friends and family, the true meaning of happiness and that being beautiful is so much more than what is on the outside.
And just to look ahead a little bit: what do you hope is the future for Bliss after the Edinburgh Fringe?
Personally, I would hope it will take the West End by storm!!! It would be so nice to see a new show on a big scale. But honestly who knows :)
