EdFringe Talk: Overtone

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“EdFringe can be a tough place when you’re trying to get an idea off the ground.”

WHO: John Hoggarth

WHAT: “When two teenagers meet after choir practice, they begin the most important relationship of their lives. From Fringe First award-winning theatre-maker Tom Brennan (The Wardrobe Ensemble) comes an intimate, funny and unflinching new play about love and getting older – the adventures we were promised, the choices we think we made, and the cost of finally being honest. Presented by double Fringe First award-winner The North Wall (Brown Boys Swim, E8). Reviews for Brown Boys Swim: ‘Perfectly-pitched’ **** (Scotsman). ‘A moving, witty play’ **** (Financial Times). ‘A runaway success’ ***** (WhatsOnStage.com).”

WHERE: Jack Dome at Pleasance Dome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 14:40 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been to the Fringe with several shows in the past either as a writer or director. In recent years I’ve directed Brown Boys Swim by Karim Khan (Fringe First and Popcorn Award) and The B*easts by Monica Dolan which was later nominated for an Oliver Award. Before that I co-wrote and directed a sketch show called The Ginge Georgie and the Geek which sold out across 3 festivals. It can be a tough place when you’re trying to get an idea off the ground but it can also be very rewarding if something finds its audience.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve been thinking a lot about how you carve out time for creativity amongst everything else going on in life. It’s easy for time to disappear when everyone’s so busy. The festival can be very intense and you can spend the whole time fixating on your own show but I always try and remember to seek out exciting new work elsewhere – whether that’s a new play, music, comedy… There’s so much you can go and watch which can be overwhelming but also a real opportunity to get your creative fix and to learn from other artists.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a new play called Overtone by Tom Brennan (who co-founded The Wardrobe Ensemble.) It’s a 2-hander at Jack Dome (14:40) about two people who meet as teenagers and spend their lives together. It’s about love getting older and how events from when we were younger impact the adults we become. It’s being produced by The North Wall who have a fantastic track record at the Fringe – two Fringe First Awards, the Popcorn Award and a Stage Award. We’ll have a couple of previews at The North Wall before coming to Edinburgh and then we’ll see how it goes from there.

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

I’d highly recommend Woodhill by Lung Theatre at Zoo Venues.

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