Popping out for a cuppa
can be full of surprises during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. At
least it can down at Hunt and Darton Cafe, the pop-up cafe opened for
thr entire month of August by live artist double act, Jenny Hunt and
Holly Darton. Last year, the St Martin's College of Art graduates ran
the place on St Mary's Street dressed in pineapple decorated outfits
with a sense of style and wit that made it the ultimate drop-in
centre.
Inside the cafe's
vintage environment, our two hostesses and occasional guest waiting
staff would serve basic but carefully prepared meals, snacks and
drinks with a meticulous sense of customer care. Some days would be
themed, with customers being asked to serve each other, or else asked
if they would care to choose a record to play on an old Dansette.
Each financial transaction would be carefully marked out on the wall
in chalk alongside details of the outlay for supplies. At the end of
the week, the total profit would also be marked up. In the evening
spontaneous happenings would occur, with the entire month-long
experience one non-stop performance co-ordinated by Hunt and Darton,
with the customers playing key roles in the hands-on interactive
experience.
This year, Hunt and
Darton cafe has returned to the same empty shop, only with a new
menu, new vegetable inspired outfits and an even fresher take on the
participatory experience.
“It's evolved a lot
since last year,” says Darton. “We've developed a lot of what we
do in the cafe, and we have a lot of new things happening, like a
health and safety day, and have a point of each day, such as
austerity.”
“We'' be wearing
brocolli this year as well,” Hunt chips in. “We've got these
amazing brocolli print dresses we'll be wearing.”
Another addition to the
Hunt and Darton Cafe programme is a set meal for a mere five poinds.
These will be served on a silver trolley, after which “things
happen,” as Hunt puts it.
The roots of Hunt and
Darton Cafe came from a sense of pragmatism rather than pure desire.
“We've always had
alternative careers in catering to fund our art,”Hunt explains,
while Darton points out that “It developed organically. We were
interested in the relationship between food and art, and also in
trying to close the gap between audience and performer. When we do
stage work there's always a distance, so we're developing trying to
close the gap.”
“Every time we work
together we understand it so much more, hunt continues, “so
now it'ds becoming much more immersive, and much more about embracing
the customer experience.”
All of which sounds
akin to a twenty-first century equivalent of Gilbert and George's
early living sculpture routines, only with bags more sass as well as
artistic integrity. This is especially the case given that some of
the guest artists who will perform in the cafe in the evenings
include refugees from the Glasgow-based Buzzcut live art festival, as
well as the likes of Arches and Forest Fringe regular, Richard
DeDominici.
What if, however, a
casual customer goes into the cafe and just wants a cuppa and a cake
without any side order of live art and refuses to join in the fun?
“The majority of them
are incredibly positive and do join in,” according to Hunt. “There
are people who just want a cup of tea, and it's our job to try and
negotiate that. We're not aggressive about it, but we are assertive.”
While in residence in
St Mary's Street, Hunt and Darton will also be presenting a more
formal show entitled Boredom. As the name suggests, the performance
looks at the highs and lows of tedium in all its forms.
“It's the opposite to
what we've been doing with the cafe,” says Darton. “We're
performing it in a guerilla style, and it's taking us back onto a
stage.”
While they won't be
working as many hours as last year, Hunt and Darton will need to be
'on' for the entire day, tea-breaks permitting.
“We do fibnd
ourselves doing a lot,” Darton admits, “We both really enjoy
durational performances, and this year I think we're doing duration
for duration's sake.”
Hunt puts it simpler.
“We're aldso
workaholics,” she says.
Hunt and Darton Cafe,
17-21 St. Mary's Street (Venue 172), until August 25th,
10am-5pm; Boredom, August 3,6,8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 10.30pm.
The Herald, August 20th 2013
ends
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