“I definitely learned from that Fringe was to pace myself and rest more – I’ll be sure to do that this year!”
WHO: Joe Sellman-Leava
WHAT: “Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells embark on a quest to uncover how the economy wins elections, and why the force that dominates our lives is so bloody complicated! Armed with bags, boxes and an old board game, Joe and Dylan calculate how their lives have been shaped by the economies they grew up in. Developed with and directed by internationally acclaimed Katharina Reinthaller, and produced by Worklight Theatre, It’s the Economy Stupid is a bold new show from the Fringe First winning creators of Labels and Fanboy.”
WHERE: Pleasance Dome – Jack Dome (Venue 23)
WHEN: 13:10 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Hello! This will be my sixth Edinburgh Fringe – my first was in 2012, with Worklight’s first show called How to Start a Riot. Edinburgh is a beautiful city to begin with, and transforms every August into something even more unique: Fringe is full of some of the most vibrant and innovative shows in the world. As a performer/producer, I love seeing new work and spending a month in the same place as so many brilliant artists. And for anyone who loves going to see theatre, comedy, dance and or spoken word, it really is the best place in the world.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
My last Fringe was in 2022 – the first full festival since the pandemic, so there was a sense of making up for lost time, both in terms of seeing shows and catching up with people. Amazing in some ways, but something I definitely learned from that Fringe was to pace myself and rest more – I’ll be sure to do that this year!
Tell us about your show.
It’s the Economy, Stupid! asks why elections are so often framed around the economy, and what the cost of this might be, in a wealthy (but unequal) country, like the UK. I wrote it, based partly on my family’s experience of losing our home and livelihood in the 90s recession (when James Carville coined the phrase the title is based on). It’s been developed with designer Dylan Howells (who is also performing in the show), and director and dramaturg Katharina Reinthaller. I’ve worked previously with Katharina on Labels, and with Dylan on Fanboy (also returning to Fringe this year, for a limited run), but we’ve never worked as a trio before. This something I’ve been really excited about – they’re both brilliant collaborators, each with a unique skillset and perspective, and I think that comes through in the show. It feels like it’s something we could only have made together.
After Edinburgh, we’re touring the show to London, Leeds, Norwich, Burnley, Bristol, Bath, Basingstoke, Cornwall, Cheltenham, Exeter and Harrogate.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
James Rowland, because he’s one of the best storytellers out there. Jonny and the Baptists, because their musical comedy is second to none. John Luke Roberts, because he’s doing ALL of his previous shows in one Fringe! Hettie Hodgson and Emma Louise Howell – who I’m lucky enough to have worked with before– have a show called I Really Think This Will Change Your Life, which sounds fantastic. Britt Plummer has a clown comedy show about love called Fool’s Paradise, which everyone who’s seen it loves.
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