Lachlan Werner is a ventriloquist and clown whose debut Fringe show ‘Voices of Evil’ merges comedy and horror in a unique spin on the ventriloquism format. We spoke to Lachlan about the show, what drew him to ventriloquism, and his squishy partner-in-crime Brew the Witch.
Can you tell us about ‘Voices of Evil’?
‘Voices Of Evil’ is my debut hour. It’s actually a horrifying paranormal hour of witchcraft and occult ritual. Genuinely terrifying and definitely not conducted by a squishy little witch puppet, and definitely full of real demonic voices that are not actually being done by a queer ventriloquist. Yep, 100% authentic spiritual movement. Not a horny, stupid puppet show.
It’s an original concept for a show; ‘a demon love-child of The Muppets and The Exorcist’. Where did the idea to combine horror and ventriloquism come from?
I actually can’t believe no-one in comedy has done it yet! It’s an absolute jackpot of stupidity and drama. In a way, horror is what killed ventriloquism’s popularity – the possessed dummy trope gave us a pretty bad rep – so I’m sure lots of members of the ventriloquist community are shaking their heads at me for proving that stereotype true.
Ventriloquism also has actual roots in the dark arts (actual witches being burned at actual stakes for pretending to talk to fake spirits), so in a way what I’m doing is hugely unoriginal.
I actually just love theatrical horror, and how close it can be to comedy. Ventriloquism really just happens to be the tool for me to tell a sexy, scary, silly story.
Apart from a few exceptions ventriloquism isn’t the comedy staple it was a few decades ago. What drew you to the form?
I’ve been doing it since I was seven. With the same witch puppet you see in Voices Of Evil, Brew. It feels like an absurd inescapable destiny. I always loved puppets, and wanted to perform on stage myself since I can remember, but was also incredibly shy and had a lovely cocktail of anxiety and learning difficulties growing up. I saved up my pocket money to buy the witch puppet from a toy shop, and it was my liberation. She absolutely gave me a voice as a kid, and later combining ventriloquism with clowning meant totally reclaiming and being able to play with my queerness and learning difficulties in such free, joyful ways. I think if everyone had a noisy, other self on their dominant hand at all times, the world would honestly be better.
This is your debut Fringe show. What are your hopes and expectations for August?
Honestly, I am just so excited to get possessed every night for a month. I love this show, so mainly I just hope the queers come and make some noise. I have also already been so lucky with this show before making my Edinburgh debut. The fact I got to do it (and sell out) at Soho Theatre on my birthday AND Halloween last year was an absolute dream come true. People coming back to see the show again – chanting along and making/bringing their own ‘spooky spoon’ effigies (see the show for that to make sense) – makes me so happy I cry all the fake blood off my face.
Beside ‘Voices of Evil’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?
Absolutely! Some of my favourite mixed bill nights for clowns/idiots are going to be there – namely ACMS and Cabaret Impedimenta – I’m always hoping to get to play at those! I’ll also be doing some very stupid stuff at the Blundagardens (the BEST place at the Fringe) with my clowny partner in crime, Laurie Luxe (director of ‘Voices Of Evil’). That’s going to be some really fun dumb stuff.
Apart from your show, what else are you looking forward to (or even perhaps dreading) about the Fringe?
Hanging out at the Blundabus and catching up with so many international clown friends. It becomes a bit of a freak convention for us. Mainly it’s going to be a lot of voice TLC for me, because doing demonic movement while screaming (all without moving lips) can really take it out of a boy, so I may do a vow of silence during daytimes. The fake blood I use in the show also tends to dye my face quite red, so I’m looking forward to a month-long blush.
Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?
I’m extremely lucky that lots of really good friends (who happen to be incredible artists) are also bringing work this year. Frankie Thompson and Liv Ello are top of my list, as is Lorna Rose Treen (who is debuting as well) and Julia Masli. Gush by Abby Russell is absolutely phenomenal, and I cannot wait to see Troll by Anna Marie Simonsen and Marie Kallevik Straume.
‘Voices Of Evil’ runs from Wed 2 to Sun 27 Aug 202 (except Tue 15 and Wed 23) at Pleasance Courtyard – The Cellar at 22:30