“It still makes me nervous going against some of the biggest theatre companies in the world but the Fringe has that wonderful knack of finding those gems that don’t necessarily have this biggest budgets.”
WHO: David Colvin
WHAT: “The Herald Angel Award-winning smash hit of modern Scottish theatre returns to the Fringe for a fifth successive year. The tragic, comic and epic tale of the greatest bagpiper that ever lived, a Pitlochry bin man who rocked tradition, flew beyond the summit of his art and changed Scottish music forever. Whatever notions you have of bagpipes, leave them at the door. ‘A stunning, staggering piece of modern Scottish folk theatre’ ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info). ‘Elucidating, charming and rip-roaringly inspirational’ ***** (TheQR.co.uk).”
WHERE: Scottish Storytelling Centre – Netherbow Theatre (Venue 30)
WHEN: 18:45 (80 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This will be my 13th Edinburgh Fringe and Thunderstruck’s 5th successive Edinburgh Fringe. In previous years I’ve performed in the Fringe with my university drama group, The National Theatre of Scotland, an Ozzy Singing group, a Welsh children’s musical, a show about builders, a legendary Scottish theatre company and now with my own play and I can honestly say it is still a great pleasure and honour to perform at the Fringe. I still love it, it still makes me nervous going against some of the biggest theatre companies in the world but the Fringe has that wonderful knack of finding those gems that don’t necessarily have this biggest budgets. Nothing compares to being here as a performer, to feel part of the artistic community that makes the Edinburgh Fringe the biggest and best in the world.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I have to keep reminding myself that the Edinburgh Fringe is a marathon not a sprint. You get nothing for free and the fringe doesn’t care how many followers you have on social media. At some point in week 2 there will organically be a bunch of shows that the fringe deems unmissable and it’s not always the ones everyone expects.
Engaging with people whilst flyering is so much more effective than just handing out as many fliers as possible. Talk to people!
Never get complacent, they’ll always be a bunch of performers working harder than you are in an attempt to convince the same audience’s to come see them.
Tell us about your show.
I wrote Thunderstruck in 2017 and since then it has taken me on a roller coaster adventure. It started it’s life playing Folk music festivals in Glasgow, was booked by the Fringe in 2019 won a bunch of awards and in the subsequent years went to Australia (won more awards), went on an 18 date Scottish tour and is returning to the Fringe for a 5th season. We’re working on where Thunderstruck goes next, if I’ve learned anything it’s that sometimes, Thunderstruck has told me what we’re doing next.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
“Death Becomes us” at Space venue, surgeons hall. Written by and starring the wonderful Hannah Whittingham. She’s self producing and going for it with 22 shows and knowing her as I do, I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.
Everything at the Scottish Storytelling centre, it is a diamond venue and they work hard to bring great established work as well as give storytellers their big chance. In that venue I’d recommend anything with Niall Moorjani as well as The Loud Poets (No 1 poetry show!), The Young Edinburgh Storytellers are back and Hero/Banlaoch by Sinead O’Brien, I saw her show last year and it blew me away, no doubts she’ll do it again.
Finally, finally Ruben Kaye is the Emperor of Cabaret and being naughty while Baby Wants Candy are the unparalleled kings and queens of improv.
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