+3 Interview: The Drowsy Chaperone

Posted in EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features, Written Interviews by

“Our wonderful Director, Chloe Simpson, has thought about every aspect of the show so carefully and has brought new depths to this production.”

WHO: Samantha Redfern, Producer

WHAT: “After yet another five-star run, EUSOG returns for its 25th year at the Fringe with The Drowsy Chaperone! A satirical masterpiece, paying homage to Jazz Age musicals of the 1920s, showcasing a series of fantastic characters and outstanding musical numbers, with glitz, glamour and top-notch comedy. The story focuses on Man in Chair as he listens to the rare recording of a forgotten production. Watch as his once dingy apartment is transformed into an impressive backdrop to this wonderful Broadway spectacle. Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.”

WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – Sanctuary (Venue 152) 

WHEN: 21:35 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Excitingly, this is actually EUSOG’s 25th year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe! The Drowsy Chaperone follows several recent critically-acclaimed, sell-out Fringe productions; Company (2017), Spring Awakening (2016), Little Shop of Horrors (2015), and Avenue Q (2014). We’re lucky enough to receive fantastic reviews every year and are hoping to continue this tradition into the next quarter century…

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

Every year with EUSOG is bigger and better than ever, of course! We perform three shows a year, from well-loved Broadway classics to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. Since last year’s Company at the Fringe, we’ve enjoyed a dark retelling of Oliver! and a groovy interpretation of The Sorcerer.

Tell us about your show.

A musical within a comedy. The Drowsy Chaperone pays homage to Jazz Age musicals of the 1920s, poking fun at all the tropes that characterise the musical theatre genre. The show focuses on the middle-aged Man in Chair as he listens to a rare recording of the forgotten production and, as his record plays, the show comes to life onstage whilst he drolly comments on the music, story and actors.

With an elaborate cast of over-the-top characters, including the dashing groom, his best man, a drunken chaperone, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, and the Latin lover, The Drowsy Chaperone boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in everyone’s heart – to be entertained.

Hailed by New York Magazine as “The Perfect Broadway Musical”, The Drowsy Chaperone was the winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, and its numerous featured roles and dance numbers make this production a perfect fit for the Fringe.

Our wonderful Director, Chloe Simpson, has thought about every aspect of the show so carefully and has brought new depths to this production. Ross Hadden as our Musical Director is fantastic and his jazzy band will scream of the 1920s. Alongside the inventive choreography by Anna Phillips, this show is certain to be exciting and polished.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

This past year, a group of past EUSOG members have created their own production company, Bare Productions, who are performing ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ in Paradise alongside us.

We’d also love you all to support our friends at Edinburgh University Footlights who are putting on an edgy production of ‘American Idiot’ between the 12th-18th August at C Venues – C+3.

Sticking with Edinburgh University, the Shakespeare Society is performing ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ set in Sicily in the 1980s, which sounds like it’s going to be so brilliant (and also features one of our cast members, Holly Marsden!). It’s showing between the 20th-25th August in theSpace @ Niddry Street.

Lastly, I am also producing Edinburgh Studio Opera’s ‘The Tumbling Lassie’ which is happening between the 16th-20th August in the Hill Street Theatre. It’s a new piece written by Alexander McCall Smith with music by Tom Cunningham and will be accompanied by another one of their operettas, ‘Fergus of Galloway’.

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