“When I’m at the festival just as an audience member, it’s marvellously relaxing – no pressure other than to cram in as many shows and hear the word on the street about what the hot shows are. When you’re producing, it’s a different story.”
WHO: Pádraig Cusack
WHAT: “UK premiere. Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Play. Cast: Madeleine Potter and Eric Sirakian. Director: Matt Wilkinson. A solitary Ivy League creative writing professor is captivated by a brilliant, rebellious freshman student. Delicate, provocative, bursting with wit – so begins the story of two outsiders on the threshold of breaking of an indelible taboo. And when the darkest of favours is requested, the stage is set: The Sound Inside drives inexorably towards a climax filled with mystery, beauty and the ultimate declaration of love. ‘A gripping small-scale mystery… subliminal, sublime.’ (New York Times).”
WHERE: Traverse Theatre – Traverse 1 (Venue 15)
WHEN: Varies (80 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I’ve made many visits to Edinburgh and most of them have been during the festival season so there’s a wonderful familiarity about the city, helped of course by that warm Celtic welcome that an Irishman like me loves. In recent years, most of my theatre productions have been at the Traverse Theatre – shows like Psychodrama and A Girl is a Half-formed Thing and we’ve packed out with wonderful audiences. I also did an epic 3-show production of The James Plays for National Theatre Scotland and National Theatre (London) at the Festival Theatre and that was a real buzz too. I love the mix of audiences during the festival season – young and old, local and travellers, all sitting cheek by jowl, egging us on to deliver a thrilling show. It’s really unique. You don’t find that in London or New York to anything like the same degree! What’s especially wonderful about Edfringe is meeting up with old friends and colleagues and making new ones – you almost meet someone on every corner, dipping in for a quick coffee and then a mad dash to catch the next show.
When I’m at the festival just as an audience member, it’s marvellously relaxing – no pressure other than to cram in as many shows and hear the word on the street about what the hot shows are. When you’re producing, it’s a different story. You’re constantly looking at sales figures, checking in on your actors to make sure they’re well-rested and scouting for any opportunities that might give the show a further life after Edfringe ends. And when it all comes together, the final day is a joyous sense of relief and achievement!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I’ve been in this theatre-making game a long time and I’m constantly reminded, even more so now, to HOLD YOUR NERVE. It’s not over until the fat lady sings and this year that’s not happening until 25 August, so reminding myself to believe in my gut instinct is essential. And that was my response, on hearing this play for the first time about a year ago, that it’s a cracking bit of writing and needs to be seen at Edfringe. It’s quietly reassuring that it was a hit on Broadway in 2019, with a ton of Tony nominations to boot, so hopefully Edinburgh audiences will be equally enthused and enthralled.
Tell us about your show.
The Sound Inside is by the American playwright and novelist Adam Rapp. He’s got a huge reputation over in the US having won numerous awards and been shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize. This side of the Atlantic, he’s not so well-known….but we’re hoping to change that. The play itself is a riveting two-hander – a 50-something creative writing professor at Yale, Bella, and her young maverick hugely talented student, Christopher. In their own separate ways, they are outsiders – lonely. And there is a real meeting of minds sparked by their passion for literature and their own writing. It’s a feisty and, at times, very funny relationship, that really engages you as the unexpected story reveals itself. It has a few twists and turns that makes it a bit of a page-turner. And our two wonderful actors, Madeleine Potter of Merchant Ivory movie success, and Eric Sirakian, fresh from triumphs in the West End and Broadway, make for a real dynamic and sparing duo. If you like psychological thrillers, peppered with wit and humour, then it’s one for you.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m really looking forward to seeing David Cromer’s production of I’m Almost There at Summerhall, (@ChescMood) – Cromer is a brilliant, detailed director and all his work always surprises and engages me big time. And also a very physical production, Angry Snatch: A Reclamation Job in 15 Rounds, set in a boxing ring is on my hit list! I want to see what they do using such a different setting. (@frankiewalkerarts). At Traverse I want to see Douglas Maxwell’s new play So Young about a group of friends who get together for an evening which includes introducing a new girlfriend. It’s bound to go wrong somehow – we’ve all been there! (@TraverseTheatre) Needless to say, I’ll be on the prowl for other hot tips too once I’m on the ground in Edinburgh. Can’t wait!!
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