“I’ve learned that upstage is actually down and downstage is actually up, and that stage left and right are the wrong way around.”
WHO: Jack Michael Stacey & Matthew Howell and Albert Cabbage
WHAT: “Agent Blonde has 24 hours to save the world. The only things standing in her way are dastardly villains, an outrageous plot, and… a lack of funding. When Hollywood rejects her script, a frustrated screenwriter invites you, an audience of producers, to a one-night-only presentation of The Greatest Spy Movie (n)Ever Made! From two of the minds behind The New Musketeers (Trinity Theatre) and stars of The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Spy Movie: The Play! is a new hilarious homage to Bond movies and fringe theatre suitable for the whole family.”
WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath (Venue 33)
WHEN: 12:00 (50 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Jack: This is our first Fringe as a company (A. Cabbage Productions, named in honour of the producers of the Bond movie franchise, Brocolli), but members of our company have taken multiple shows to the fringe over the years.
Matt: This is also our first time performing with The Pleasance, which we are so excited about. We always felt that The Pleasance Courtyard would be the perfect space for SPY MOVIE: The Play! as it is a hub for entertainment and comedy for the whole family throughout the entire Fringe.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Jack: I’ll pass this question on to our Producer, Albert Cabbage. Albert?
Albert: What?
Jack: What have you learnt since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Albert: Well, I’m learning Italian but it’s taking a molto long time. I’ve probably absorbed the Pizza I had last night, though. Deliziosa!
Jack: I think the question was more about theatre.
Albert: Oh. Well, I’ve learned that upstage is actually down and downstage is actually up, and that stage left and right are the wrong way around, too. All in all, theatre a very confusing medium. I much prefer movies, which is why our show, SPY MOVIE: The Play! is actually just a movie, conveniently presented live on stage from the comfort of your very own home (as long as you live in The Pleasance Courtyard).
Tell us about your show.
Jack: The show is about a screenwriter who can’t get her epic blockbuster spy movie made in Hollywood, so teams up with a shady producer –
Albert: That’s me!
Jack: – to put it on as a low-budget play.
Matt: Jack and I wrote it. We teamed up to work on the script whilst touring with Mischief in Peter Pan Goes Wrong. We met on The Play That Goes Wrong (West End) and have written together since then. We’ve published a play (The New Musketeers, Methuen Drama), and one of our sitcom pilots (Section 13), which was actually about spies, was longlisted for the BAFTA Rocliffe competition.
Jack: It’s a laugh-a-minute show suitable for ages 9 to 99!
Albert: Oh, good. My mother can come!
Jack: It’s got low-budget stunts, big-belly laughs, and –
Albert: – and SEX SEX SEX!*
Jack: *suitable for the whole family.
Albert: I’m producing it, and I need no introduction… but here’s my card. Albert Cabbage, Producer Extraordinaire. The movie is about world-famous novelist Ian Flemish who must help Agent Jane Blonde, master spy, in an epic race to save the world from the forces of EVIW (Every Villain in World).
Matt: And what do you do as a Producer?
Albert: Well, I look after the actors, the set, the costumes (my mother has an extensive wardrobe of period pieces), and, most importantly, I come up with the money… speaking of which, do you fancy investing in a show? I’m putting on a new musical called MOTHBALLS! (featuring all my mother’s clothes).
Matt: We put the show on at The Hope in London to some great 4-star (Reviews Hub, Broadway World, Broadway Baby) and 5-star (West End Best Friend) reviews, so we decided to form the company and bring it to The Fringe!
Albert: What about that awful review? Two stars!
Jack: We don’t have to –
Albert: I knew I should have paid them off like I did with all the others.
Matt: What’s the next question?
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Albert: I’m still hoping to bring my new show, Mothballs, to the Fringe if I can get a slot, and Hugh Grant says yes.
Jack: The Importance of Being… Earnest? It’s great!
Albert: It’ll be fantastic. Mothballs, I mean.
Matt: Yes, after SPY MOVIE: The Play! go and see The Importance of Being… Earnest?!
Albert: Mothballs is about Hugh Grant, who plays this giant moth who suddenly gets a pain in his –
Jack: I think we’re out of time.
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