EdFringe Talk: Racists, Recessions and Revolutions

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“Never ask the actor to do anything you’re not ready to do yourself.”

WHO: Harry Conway

WHAT: “In 2016 an unprecedented wave of fake news exploded across our screens. Public trust was devastated as Brexit, Trump and an ever-powerful far right emerged. The masterminds? A few teens in a former socialist republic that even experts struggle to find on a map: Macedonia. Join Nadica, a driven Macedon/Brit on the ground floor of this gold rush who will stop at nothing to build her empire of lies as she defies tech giants, Covid lockdowns and a crumbling economy to champion Britain’s eager and ready supply of Racists, Recessions and Revolutions!”

WHERE: Pleasance Online (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 15:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my second time up for the whole month, but for my performer and co-creator Izzy it’ll be her first full Fringe so we’re making for a nice mix as a team. For myself I can’t wait to soak up that unique Fringe atmosphere where anything feels possible and wild creativity is a certainty; from what I hear from Izzy she’s just buzzing to see the whole thing from beginning to end for the first time so if we both survive it all still on our feet the plan is to make it for sunrise on Arthur’s Seat!

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

Racists, Recessions & Revolutions marks my first time directing and it’s been like diving into the middle of a massive ocean. It’s daunting for sure and at times I do well to tread water, but every hour working on the script or being in the rehearsal room brings fresh insights. The one strongest lesson that’s stuck with me is a pearl of wisdom from a great director called Amber Conroy; never ask the actor to do anything you’re not ready to do yourself. Most of the scenes audiences will see Izzy perform have been done by both of us, meaning we both know the script inside out.

Tell us about your show.

It’s actually a really sweet story, I was trying to get a start with directing after having just been the writer on a show last Fringe called How To Kill Your Landlord and Izzy very kindly took up a role I was casting for my first short directing experience at a Scratch Night shortly before Christmas 2025.

She was so great to work with I suggested we try and workshop a solo show and from that point on it’s been her drive and enthusiasm that’s led us from vague ideas to a full month run at the biggest arts festival in the world!

Her heart, soul and heritage have been poured into this play and it shows in the quality of the script and the pure depth and authenticity she gives to her performance of Nadica, our protagonist.

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

Ok, this is very out of left field but I think there are 2 shows to specifically go and see after ours for reasons that will be extremely clear for anyone who does come and see. Should also say that these are all well worth seeing even if you don’t come to ours!

So first off the bat is Costume Drama which is literally on in the exact same space as us (ZOO Playground 3) and shares some similarities so far as being a one-woman show, but the tone is the difference here as this team is doing something extremely heartfelt and uplifting. It’s all about the daughter of a famous sports mascot who must literally step into the shoes/shell-suit of her ailing father and pull a big performance out of the bag. Sure to be a fun time.

Then for something a little different I’m personally excited to see Heart Beats Strong which is a three hander dance and movement piece in one of the famously intimate Pleasance Bunkers, all centered on the performance of an alternative and positive form of masculinity from the one that typically grabs headlines. Everything I’ve seen about the show shouts talent and passion and I suspect it’ll turn out to be one of the festival’s hottest tickets.

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