“Every Fringe is a learning experience that brings its own challenges and lessons – I cannot wait to see what Fringe 2024 will teach me.”
WHO: Beth Cunningham
WHAT: “Please spell ‘entertaining’! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six quirky and sometimes obnoxious students in their quest for the coveted first place trophy. Accompanied by three even quirkier adults, audience members, juice boxes, community service requirements, magic feet, and the unfortunate effects of puberty, the spellers must make their way through a series of increasingly difficult (and hilarious) words, whilst also dealing with their own stressful, embarrassing, or occasionally upsetting personal lives. This show is guaranteed to leave you laughing, crying and wondering if ‘hasenpfeffer’ is even a real word.”
WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – The Sanctuary (Venue 152)
WHEN: VARIES (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is my fourth time partaking in the Edinburgh Fringe, and my first time as a director! The Fringe is a truly unique experience as a performer, production team member, and a visitor. There’s no place quite like it on Earth, and I am so unbelievably grateful to the people who have given me the opportunity to be apart of the past 4 Fringes. I have spoken about directing at Fringe to anyone who will listen for the past two years and getting to live out this silly little dream has been an utter joy so far. I am so looking forward to seeing the wealth of new-and-upcoming talent Fringe offers – I always make its priority to see as many different shows in as many different genres as I can, and I have discovered some amazing performers through the Edinburgh Fringe who I continue to follow to this day. Whilst visiting the Fringe is a fantastic experience, partaking in it and being immersed in the environment and culture as a performer or creative is just an indescribable feeling, and I am so looking forward to experiencing it once again this year.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Last year, I definitely overcommitted myself a little bit – whilst I still had an amazing time, I think dedicating my time this year solely to one show has meant that I have been able to be fully emotionally invested in Spelling Bee. A lot of love, time, blood, sweat, and tears has gone into this production, and I hope that it will show in the final product.
Every Fringe is a learning experience that brings its own challenges and lessons – I cannot wait to see what Fringe 2024 will teach me.
Tell us about your show.
Our show is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin, presented by the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group (EUSOG). My production team is utterly incredible – my fantastic co-director, Hunter King; my wonderful choreo team, Amelia Brenan and her assistants; my incredible musical direction team, Emily Paterson and her assistants; and last, but certainly NOT least, my incomparable producers, Ching Zhan and Faye Xiang. Auditioning for EUSOG in my second year of university is truly one of the best things I have ever done, and completely changed the trajectory of my university experience. I am so unbelievably grateful to the society for the opportunities they have afforded me, and especially for letting me take this show to Fringe this year. Spelling Bee is a show that is extremely near and dear to my heart – it’s the first show I ever did at Fringe, so directing it this year feels very full circle for me. The show has all the components for a successful Fringe show – audience participation, comedy, gay dads, juiceboxes, as well as tender moments that tug at your heartstrings. The cast is incredible and have worked so hard to bring this amazing show to life. If you like words, big dance numbers, or jokes about the unfortunate side effects of puberty, this is the show for you!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Our sister society, the Edinburgh University Footlights, is putting on Pippin by Stephen Schwartz in the final week of Fringe. Their productions never fail to impress and I am sure Pippin will be indescribably fantastic. You can purchase tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=pippin.
Other shows I am so excited to see are Slash and The Improverts at Bedlam Theatre, Paradok Platform at Just The Tonic at The Caves, Spring Awakening at The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall, and Kinky Boots at Hill Street Theatre.
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