EdFringe Talk: Party Scene: Chemsex. Community. Crisis.

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“If all else fails, get a falafel wrap.”

WHO: Carl Harrison

WHAT: “Journey into the underbelly of queer culture and experience a sweaty pulsing dance theatre show exploring the complexities of desire, intimacy, isolation and addiction. With an international company of incredible performers, Party Scene celebrates the heady high of the session but poses tough questions around drug use, sex, consent and mental health in the queer community. A bold and wild ride, the show sparks conversation around identity, self-worth, isolation, homophobia, family and care.?”

WHERE: Summerhall – Main Hall (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 17:35 (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third time to Edinburgh. First time was with my mate Lucy’s family – Lucy and I wrote a song on the way up here from Manchester about a tiny penis – it was called ‘An Ode to a Chode’. I remember seeing Flight of the Conchords and we were spitting distance from Jimmy Carr. Second time was with a queer show called ‘I Heart Catherine Pistachio’ at Paines Plough about an abused teenage girl who’s obsessed with Saved by the Bell. I count that as one of the most thrilling performance experiences. So close to the audience and such an electric atmosphere in that tiny tent. Delighted to be graduating to Summerhall for my third visit.

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

I think it’s that the world around us can become quite die, cry, hate so I’m pushing even further into the ultimate affirmation of live, laugh love. And if all else fails, get a falafel wrap.

Solid Fringe advice too.

Tell us about your show.

Party Scene is a horny, writhing animal of a show about gays, drugs, sex, pleasure, loneliness and shame. It’s a thrilling, tense, and arousing piece of dance and theatre starring an international cast of four men in very little clothing.

It is written by Phillip McMahon and co-directed with Phillip Connaughton. THISISPOPBABY have been going for 15 years making work about pop culture, counter culture and queerness be it cabaret, plays, dance or film. Party Scene has had two lives so far – it was initially a short film we created in lockdown from which a live version was created for an Irish tour and now we’re bringing that work to Edinburgh. Lock up your sons.

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

The nepotist in me recommends –

Solene Weinachter – After All. An extraordinary performer who has to be seen to be believed. CAPTIVATING!

Figs in Wigs – Little Wimmin – a bonkers, queer retelling of this classic story. So funny and so brilliant. The figs are the Spice Girls of queer performance.

Hannah Maxwell – Nan, Me and Barbara Previ – An amazing wordsmith(stress?) telling a story of caring for her nan – La la Land meets mission impossible meets Hannah’s nan.

Plus there is a LOT of great Irish work on – check out the Wild Geeze, Eva O’Connor’s Chicken, Junk Ensemble’s Dances Like a Bomb and the Culture Ireland programme.

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