Fat Chance - a Q&A with Rachel Stockdale

We had a chat with Rachel Stockdale who's heading our way with Fat Chance on March 13 - a funny, celebratory and politically powerful one-woman play exploring her true-life experience of weight gain from size 8 to 18.

Where did the Fat Chance idea come from?

The Fat Chance idea came from an encounter I had on my honeymoon. I’d been on a ridiculous diet for the wedding, I’d decided to have some white carbs on the holiday and, in a moment of joy, I decided not to wear any Spanx with my white maxi dress. We walked into a beautiful restaurant in Lake Bled and the waiter said ‘a table for 2? Soon it’ll be a table for 3, no?’ looking down at my belly. 

I froze in place with shock and then sat down and ranted at my husband about women’s bodies and people’s judgement of them and how you are always pressured to take up less space…then I ordered a bottle of wine and texted my now dramaturg, Laura Lindow, which became the start of the play. 

What can people expect to see?

People can expect to see a dark comedy peppered with high camp joy and original songs. ‘Fat Chance’ is an exploration of fatphobia, classism and feminism as a fat, northern, benefit class woman. It’s a celebration of our differences and how they make us unique.

Why do you think it’s proving so popular?

We’re telling a story that needs to be told now. Fatphobia is so rooted in everything we do - we congratulate people for starving themselves and shame people for taking up space.  

The current Ozempic epidemic (buying diabetes medication privately) shows the desire to lose weight at the expense of your long term health, and others. 

Also, there is no fat representation on stage - and on screen it’s generally straight size actors in fat suits.

Where are you touring?

Where aren’t we?!

We’re doing a 6 week UK national tour in association with Northern Stage, and we're heading to venues such as Leeds Playhouse, Hull Truck, Shakespeare North Playhouse, Theatre 503 and we’re very excited to be coming to the SJT!

How do audiences react to the performance?

People have told me they’ve found it really powerful, and that they laughed and cried!

The best thing I’ve heard is people tell me they’re no longer going to diet after seeing the show, it seems to resonate with lots of different types of people. It highlights the pressure we put on ourselves to look a certain way and be accepted, and everyone reacts in their own way. 

How much research did you do before writing the script?

I did a lot of research working with the Fat Performance Network in lockdown, curating fat performance timelines and a workbook about fatphobia, fat activism and performance. 

The fabulous Dr Charlotte Cooper was my mentor at the time throughout writing the play.  

In another sense, not much, because it’s my life story! 

Do you think one-woman / one-man shows are becoming more popular?

I think we had to lean into them because of the pandemic and funding also limits cast sizes. 

In this case however,  I’ve always wanted to make ‘Fat Chance’ as a one woman play. It's a dynamic, all singing, all dancing, mad little show that showcases all the different aspects of me and my personality. 

What are your future projects? Can you share them with us? 

 Well… Jonluke McKie (the director of Fat Chance) & I are collaborating on another project, exploring Class Confessions. Expect more pop culture references, dark comedy and politics through a benefit class lens. 

See Rachel in Fat Chance on March 13 - tickets here or by phoning the Box Office on 01723 370 541.