Île

Theatre (solo show, international)

  • Accessibility:
    Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 2 years

Description

Île, by award-winning writer/actor/comedian Sophie Joans, from Cape Town, South Africa, takes you on a fast and funny excavation of her maternal roots on the island, Mauritius. This coming-of-age story follows an 18-year-old girl who returns to the volcanic island to connect with her extended family (and escape her mother). Things get heated as she uncovers strange characters and realises that beneath paradise, a volcano is still waiting to erupt. Directed by Rob van Vuuren, AKA viral sensation NamasteBae. Winner of Gold at SA’s National Arts Festival. You absolutely cannot miss Île in its international debut!

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General venue access

  • Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
  • Accessible entry: Via a driveway from the main road.
  • Wheelchair access type: Level Access

  • Stairs: Information not supplied

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

GoldmanT 29 days ago

Booked this as I had a gap where another show got cancelled and I'm so glad it did - the most incredible physical acting I've ever seen close up, I would happily pay to see a show made up entirely of the physical poetry that bookended this piece. Very engaging performer with some great stories, hope she returns to the Fringe soon.

Stephanie Cunningham 30 days ago

WOW WOW WOW. I work at the pleasance and so I’ve seen many shows. This one was by far my favourite. A truly spectacular performance ❤️

Stephen Church 31 days ago

This show is a master class in performance Art where every nuance and beat of the performance is directed and subtly yet perfectly honed to illicit just the right reactions she welcomes us into her life and her soul like a coquettish FairY SPRITE and uses her voice and body to create a myriad of characters conducting herself and the audience on an internal and geographic journey with the precision of a conductor leading a symphony orchestra it was a joy to inhabit her World.The passion and power of her writing perfectl.y copmplimented her astonishing talent.
As a professional producer/ Director Ive been coming to the fringe for over 30 years and seen shows all over the World.
Two words sum up Sophies show.
REMARKABLE and EXCEPTIONAL

Renee 32 days ago

Five stars. Well crafted, performed. Mix of energy and very dynamic. Intimate. Great!

Shane 32 days ago

Brilliantly written and performed. Go and see it!

Sean Davis 32 days ago

Île (****)
This light show has a young woman choosing to spend her gap year at her mother’s small homeland island in Mauritius to try to escape her battles with her mom, and relax. The personable girl enjoys imitating the various animals of the island, and rejoices in learning about her inbred relatives and their odd ways. From plucking roadkill to having two-week old corpses in family photos her stories are certainly fun to hear.


This is the 47th most enjoyable of the 184 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see almost 200. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

Sean McCann 33 days ago

Fantastic , bawdy , hilarious pedal - to - the - floor solo show , with superb audience rapport. Highly recommended , although you will not look at a lava lamp in the same way again, ever.

Amanda Ghosh 33 days ago

Powerful, brilliant physical theater, performance story telling. Heart felt, funny, relatable. Must see! Under appreciated it’s so good!!

Steve Hewitt 34 days ago

A beautifully crafted show combining Sophie’s own experience with the history of Mauritius where her wider family lives. Funny, tender and imaginative, it’s one of our top shows from the 50 we have seen this year. A must see show - hope Ile will tour after the Fringe. Loved it !

Nathanael Kent 35 days ago

A really enjoyable, personal piece of writing performed with great energy yet tenderness. Some witty lines and memorable characters, and a good is night into an island that many will only know as a holiday destination. Recommended!

David Bone 36 days ago

This show was recommended to me by a friend who had been at the fringe a few days before us.
Well, thank you so much to that friend - this one woman show, half monologue, half physical theatre, was a joy. Of the 25 shows I saw at the Fringe, this was top of the heap. I didn’t want it to end. It explores her gloriously dysfunctional family in South Africa and her roots in The Mauritius. Go see it, you’ll be glad you did. It’s a gem.

Benpol 36 days ago

Sophie was my last show of the fringe and a perfect ending to my weekend.
It had everything I look for in a show, great acting, beautiful moving and personal story which helps you connect with another culture and life.
She told us to send everyone with mommy issues to the show and I would highly recommend you go if you have those. But also if you don't and just enjoy perfect physical comedy, emotional story telling and great comedic timing and delivery.

Chris Grange 36 days ago

We absolutely loved this show. Such a powerful, moving, emotional and at times, laugh out loud, show. Out of all the shows we saw over 3 days, and there were a lot, this was our favourite. Go see it.

Katie Stephenson 38 days ago

A brilliant show, funny yet moving, a hilarious tale and observations of belonging and family relationships, a compelling strong physical performance, we loved it.

Colin Kilbride 40 days ago

Sophie's performance was masterful, moving, exhilarating and hilarious. Her wit was sharp, the movement beautiful, and her storytelling both endearing and engaging. This was my highlight of a busy fringe schedule. The standing ovation was thoroughly deserved. Book now. I hope this piece, artist and creative team gets the recognition they deserve. Colin

John S 40 days ago

Ile is a tour de force. Great script beautifully performed. A thoughtful and provocative exploration of daughters difficult relationship with her mother and her Mauritian heritage. Sophie Joans has star quality. She is a riveting performer able to shift effortlessly from humour to profundity to sadness on a dime. It deserves a huge audience.

Emma 48 days ago

I’ve never been as captivated in a story as i was watching Ile. Beautiful and touching themes run throughout, I could easily watch it again and would give this 5*.

PT 49 days ago

Brilliant - definitely go and see!

Guillaume Bouchard 49 days ago

Great funny and poetic show about Mauritius by a South African talented comedian. Loved the parallel between the lava under the island and the personalities of people. Went with my 14 years old daughter and all good, we laughed a lot!

Steven Haigh 50 days ago

Excellent one woman show. At first I thought it may need a warning 'may not be suitable for parents/mothers' but this was well performed and good fun all round.

Craig C 50 days ago

5 star performance and lovely little show. Loved Sophie and her one woman show tracking her year living in her mothers homeland of Mauritius. Great story telling from a finely gifted actor who takes you on a journey so vivid you can almost feel the heat on your skin and the sand beneath your feet. One to watch.

Faye Linden 52 days ago

Sophie is a very talented performer and didn’t miss a beat during her one hour show! She brings her story to life through amazing story telling, physical theatre and comedy. Engaging and a joy to watch!


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ThreeWeeks (4/5 stars) 38 days ago

Warmly written and gorgeously performed.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.