"Everyone Has an Inner CVNT": Inside Sophie Power’s Fringe Hit

Returning to the Edinburgh Fringe after winning over audiences in 2025, CVNT combines clowning, confession and comedy to tackle sexual shame head-on. We spoke to creator and performer Sophie Power ahead of this year’s festival season.

You open the show dressed as a giant vulva. What made that feel like the right way to walk into the room?

The original idea for the show was all about the word “Can’t” - so I thought it would be a great double entendre to be dressed as a giant CVNT. It then morphed into what the show is now: all about CVNTs being a powerful expression of feminine power and sexuality. Everyone has an inner CVNT.

Every night is different depending on what the audience shares and confesses. Has there been a particular highlight confession or moment with an audience member for you?

I feel so grateful that audiences are willing to bear their souls so publicly. It’s such a privilege to have that level of trust. Every night blows me away. I’ve had some people share that they’re not out to their parents, one female-identifying person recently shared that they have trouble experiencing orgasm, and one in Edinburgh shared that they were scared of public speaking only to sing a perfect rendition of “Not Perfect” by Tim Minchin. Not a dry eye in the house. I have goosebumps thinking about it.

The show has toured extensively across Australia before hitting Edinburgh. How has it evolved since its Melbourne Fringe debut in 2024?

In essence, it hasn’t changed much, but our Director Fabio Motta, Dramaturg Emma Fawcett and I sat down and rearranged all the pieces so that it flows much better after having added some extra bits in Jan 2025. Since then, it’s just been little tweaks here and there to make the whole thing flow better. I’m constantly tinkering!

You describe the aim as eradicating sexual shame. Do you ever encounter resistance from audiences, and how do you handle it?

Absolutely. People find the show confronting, especially the start. Bouffon is designed to be that way. The eyes of the Bouffon are like an X-ray machine that penetrates your soul, plumbs the depths of your discomfort and brings them to light to examine you closely.

Having said that, I’m a very gentle Bouffon in that I always want my audience to feel safe and supported in their discomfort. I have safety measures in place - I have a symbol people can make with their arms, and if they don’t hold my eye contact, I don’t choose them.

Many people who come to the show have commented that they don’t usually like audience interaction but that they had a great time and felt very safe, so that’s a win in my eyes!

Do you have any particular comedians, clowns or theatre makers that you have taken inspiration from to develop your own performing style?

Absolutely. The show has often been compared with Julia Masli’s ha ha ha ha ha ha and Eric Davis’s Red Bastard. I actually haven’t ever seen Red Bastard, but we are both bouffon and from the Giovanni Fusetti style (and red!). I also adored Elf Lyons’s Raven in that she has so much horror and her Bouffon class “Animal Eyes” was one of the first places I got to try that style that I ADORED. Can’t recommend her as a teacher or performer enough.

You're returning to Edinburgh after a 2025 run. What does it feel like to be bringing the show back with this much momentum behind it?

I’m so excited to do Edinburgh again! I had such a wonderful time last time in The Box with Assembly. Edinburgh audiences are my favourite in the world. They understand clown/bouffon like nowhere else does. They’re down to clown from the very get-go. I can take the show places there which I can’t when it takes audiences a little while to warm up to me. Can’t wait!!

CVNT is at the Edinburgh Fringe at Assembly George Square, The Box from 5 – 31 Aug (not 13,20,27) at 20:20. Ticket information here: CVNT | Edinburgh Festival Fringe