EdFringe Talk: The Beatles Were a Boyband

Posted in EdFestivals 2023 by

“You need to take care of yourself and your mental health, and sometimes that means taking a wee break, whether it’s a duvet day or getting out of the city for a bit.”

WHO: Rachel O’Regan

WHAT: “The cosy, safe world of three flatmates is rocked by a woman’s murder. Now Violet’s scared walking home from her late shift. Daisy’s become an accidental activist drawing unwanted attention from the manosphere. And Heather just wants to get on with her life. After all, who really needs to change to make women safer? This unforgettable play by Rachel O’Regan and feminist theatre company F-Bomb returns to Gilded Balloon, having won a Scotsman Fringe First Award and the Sit Up Award for social impact in 2022.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Doonstairs (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 19:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be F-Bomb’s third time at EdFringe! We debuted as a student company in 2021 with our comedy AFTERPARTY, which sold out its full run. Last year was our first time as ~professionals~, and our 2022 play THE BEATLES WERE A BOYBAND won a Fringe First and the Sit-Up Award for social impact.

What I love most about the festival is the opportunity to see work that isn’t often given a platform in Scotland – in particular, shows led by women and people of marginalised genders. Go see the stuff that’s a bit quirky and scrappy, that doesn’t have massive funding or PR behind it – that’s where you’ll find artists pouring their hearts out onstage, because they’ve fought tooth and nail to be there.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

It’s a very intense month – physically, emotionally, financially. Realistically you can’t see ALL the shows and make ALL the connections. You need to take care of yourself and your mental health, and sometimes that means taking a wee break, whether it’s a duvet day or getting out of the city for a bit. We’re certainly still learning as a company how to achieve that balance.

Tell us about your show.

THE BEATLES WERE A BOYBAND was written in response to all the ongoing, frustrating conversations about women’s safety and male violence. I wrote the script in 2022 over a few very intense months where I essentially immersed myself in incel Reddit forums and feminist literature. We took care to make it non-traumatising and accessible and funny, even, in parts. It’s a raw topic for a lot of people and we never want the show to feel gratuitous or exploitative.

We are producing the show ourselves as we were knocked back for funding unfortunately. It’s a topsy-turvy world when the artists are also doing the spreadsheets. We really hope to take the show further, around Scotland and the UK and abroad – if any producers are reading this, hi!

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

“Salty Irina” by Eve Leigh is also on my must-see list – it’s about two queer girls infiltrating a far-right festival. Edge of your seat stuff.

I’m also so happy that “BUTCHERED” by Expial Atrocious is back! It was one of my absolute highlights last year and I don’t want to spoil too much. You should just see it.

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