EdFringe Talk: Ludwig: Unfinished Business

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“I’ve never worked so hard in my life.”

WHO: Mike Hatchard

WHAT: “Van Beethoven has unfinished business! Pushed by his relentlessly ambitious father as “Ze next Mozart!”, battling a broken heart, broken body, broken ears, and certain he is nearing his demise, Ludwig reincarnates “to put ze record straight!” Combining virtuoso pianism with Teutonic stand-up comedy, concert pianist, Mike Hatchard, provides an hilarious insight into ‘The Mad Pounder’ coming to terms with life, death, music, Amadeus, Bach, Chuck Berry, and his wretched final sonata. Hatchard, who has accompanied Spike Milligan, Frankie Howerd, Cleo Laine and David Essex, among others. Directed by Olivier winner Guy Masterson (The Shark Is Broken).”

WHERE: Front Room at Assembly @ St Andrew Square (Venue 172) 

WHEN: 12:35 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I started coming to the Fringe in the late eighties. I performed a show at the Pleasance where I used to interview a guest and draw their caricature at the same time; if I couldn’t find anybody famous I would use the guy who was on after me, an unknown comedian called Graham Norton. He was grateful for the exposure as even I was outselling his show…

I also used to run a show called (somewhat negatively) ‘Obscurity Knocks’ at the Festival Club. One of the first people to guest on this was an unknown Lee Mack who’d just won ‘So You Think You’re Funny’. The negativity of the title didn’t seem to affect him too profoundly.

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

I’ve learn that learning a script verbatim is very difficult. It’s a lesson I’m still absorbing.

I’ve also discovered that whilst I can play a Beethoven Sonata very accurately doing so whilst delivering a monologue over the top is very difficult. I’ve never worked so hard in my life.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it with Guy Masterson. We discussed this around 1988 when I wrote a score for his new one-man-play ‘Under Milkwood’ (which went on to over two thousand performances). I think it was mooted because Guy liked my piano playing and thought I resembled Beethoven (something that many people have commented upon). Over the years we discussed bringing the concept to fruition but we were both too busy, I guess…and now, just thirty eight years on and we’re actually doing it!

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

Guy Masterson is bringing some other very interesting shows to the Fringe, and I am particularly excited to see 11 ½ Angry Men, I’ve heard it’s brilliant. Another of his show’s features Richard Shelton as Frank Sinatra, so for musically inclined audiences I think it will be a wonderful show. Masterson is also working on Call Me Elizabeth, a theatre piece about Elizabeth Taylor…Guy is also twice nephew by marriage to Burton, so to see a piece that does her justice is something I highly recommend.

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