EdFringe Talk: Death Suits You

Posted in EdFestivals 2023, Written Interviews by

“I am thrilled to be THIS overwhelmed.”

WHO: Sam Hooper

WHAT: “Show of the Week Winner VAULT Festival 2023. We all feel underappreciated at work, and Death is no exception. Death (personified) puts a lot of work into the way we die, and never gets the credit he deserves. Across an hour, Death takes us through the artistry involved in ensuring that each and every one of us meets our maker. This musical black-comedy shows the lighter side of the inevitable. Death Suits You features an original book, lyrics and score by Sam Hooper and Robert Tripolino. Directed by Gabrielle Scawthorn.”

WHERE: Bedlam Theatre – Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49) 

WHEN: 18:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

First time, and thrilled to be THIS overwhelmed.

I think the best part of a festival is how open everyone is to seeing different kinds of work.
I’ve seen shows here that I think I would have labelled “not for me” if I were back in my regular life (Which is perhaps also a sign that I should be more open minded..)

Halfway through and I’ve seen 21 other shows on top of performing my own every day. It’s theatre saturation at it’s absolute BEST!

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

2022 taught me that (much to my annoyance) networking is valuable and required in the arts. Which is necessarily not a bad thing – but in 2022 I viewed it as a bad thing.

Being here and seeing people’s shows, catching up for drinks with friends and meeting new people, I’ve found the golden ticket for networking, and the part I really love: Recommending other poeple’s shows. I know fringe is about self promotion, but I find it much easier to gush about a brilliant show I’ve seen (especially if they’re a friend) and I think it’s a much better tool at the fringe.

Ruben Kaye does a fantastic thing at his show (The Kaye Hole) where after celebrating the 6 acts he has in that night, he then turns to the audience to promote several audience members shows.

So my lesson is – Network on behalf of your friends, because it’s easier. Hopefully they’ll do the same!

Tell us about your show.

My show started 13 years ago as a quick 15 minute university project! I was always very fascinated with Death, and my family joked a lot about morbid things. So I guess that writing a show on the topic was a natural evolution. Making a story with Death (personified) as a somewhat socially awkward public servant who is frustrated we don’t appreciate him can have some tricky moments. How do we make him likeable when he’s making certain comments, or talking about specific deaths? Everyone is going to have some kind of trigger or strong association with it, so it’s unavoidable. I think (or hope) we arrived at a place that walks the line without crossing it.

It’s taken 13 years and 4 iterations (and lots of material on the cutting room floor) for it to get to this point. Our most recent (VAULT festival 2023) we were lucky enough to win show of the week, which blew our minds a bit! The company is a mix of Aussie and UK artists. The director (Gab Scawthorn) and I have known each other for about twelve years now, and worked on this show together for the last four.

Currently we have no (concrete) plans to take the show further. We have a few pipe dream ideas for the show’s development but we’ll see how they go…

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

BILLS 44th. GO! It’s BRILLIANT!
I love a show that takes a concept and evolves it throughout the piece. Bill’s 44th does so in SUCH a clever way, and with incredibly varied moments that all contribute to the larger narrative. The entire piece felt so detailed and thought out. Comedic and poignant.

Lou Wall vs The Internet
Lou has written brilliant millennial chaos. The show is ultimately about instagram jealousy, but does so in many clever segments and references. Looking at the twisted logic behind “beating” jealousy, and wraps it up with a clever and satisfying ending.

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