Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: Lucrece

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“My first visit to the fringe was as a drama student in 1981. I remember seeing Steven Berkoff and Linda Marlowe in “Decadence”, as well as an excellent production of “Marat-Sade”. I was 22 and it felt like the centre of the theatrical universe.”

WHO: Paul Goodwin: Director

WHAT: “Lucrece is raped by Tarquin, the King’s son. She chooses to tell her story and demand justice and revenge rather than remain silent. Her courage leads to the overthrow of the monarchy and the founding of the Roman republic. Following a critically acclaimed co-production with the National Centre for the Performing Arts Mumbai, The Shakespeare Edit brings its thrilling adaptation of Shakespeare’s epic poem to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. ‘A hard-hitting tale of courage we all need to see’ (in.BookMyShow.com). ‘I sat stunned and somehow hopeful’ (Mumbai Mirror). ‘A triumph’ (Mumbai Notebook).”

WHERE: theSpace @ Niddry St – Upper Theatre (Round) (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 12:15 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

My first visit to the fringe was as a drama student in 1981. I remember seeing Steven Berkoff and Linda Marlowe in “Decadence”, as well as an excellent production of “Marat-Sade”. I was 22 and it felt like the centre of the theatrical universe.

I returned many years later in 2004 (as actor and artistic associate of Lifeblood theatre company), with a production of Glyn Maxwell’s verse drama “The Lifeblood” at Metro Gilded Balloon Caves, followed by a run in London at Wiltons Music Hall. The production was revived at the at Pleasance Courtyard. in the following year as part of the British Council Showcase.

In 2018 I came as a punter and had a great time seeing shows and family (my step-son lives in the city). This is my first visit as a producer, bringing something that I have adapted and directed.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

On a personal level I reached the age of 60 this year!! Professionally – I directed a production of Lucrece in India, as part of the inaugural theatre season at The National Centre For The Performing Arts, Mumbai. I also directed Shakespeare scenes at the Accademmia Nico Pepe – a drama school in Udine, Italy.

Tell us about your show.

Lucrece is Shakespeare’s original title for his epic poem known today as “The Rape of Lucrece”. It is a mythic story that first appears in literature 2,500 years ago. What makes Shakespeare’s version unique is that two thirds of the narrative is post-rape, with the focus on the psychological journey of the survivor. The language is beautiful, what happens to Lucrece is not, this contradiction makes it both thrilling and disturbing. Lucrece is produced by The Shakespeare Edit – an emerging theatre company whose primary purpose is to create urgent, engaging Shakespeare with a global vision. The company started work on Lucrece in November 2016.

A year later came the Weinstein exposé, and the #MeToo movement. That the issues Lucrece deals with; patriarchy, the abuse of power, sexual assault are so relevant today, is testimony to the timelessness of Shakespeare’s work. Lucrece was originally produced to critical acclaim in Mumbai – a co-production with the National Centre For The Performing Arts. The company are looking to tour the production nationally and Internationally after Edinburgh.

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

The things that I am looking forward to seeing are: “Oedipus”, International Theater, Amsterdam – King’s Theatre. Cut The Cord Theatre, both “I Run” and “Endless Second” at Pleasance. “Ubu the King” Misanthrope Theatre (Ukraine) at C Venues. “Subject Mater” at Paradise Green. “The Good Scout” The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall.

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+3 Interview: The Empathy Experiment

Posted in Theatre by

“The subject matter resonates strongly with people, and has sparked some animated and urgent discussion about how we use our phones and how we connect with each other.”

WHO: Rose Condo: Writer / Performer

WHAT: “Is empathy facing extinction? Are smartphones to blame? Multiple slam-winning Canadian poet Rose Condo returns with her latest spoken word show. Embarking on a day of no mobile phones, Rose delves into tech addiction and compassion using herself as the test subject… think Dr Jekyll meets Dr Seuss. Join Rose in the final hour of her experiment as she madly tries to capture data, record findings, navigate withdrawal and prove her theory that empathy can be saved. Runner-up for Best UK Spoken Word Show at Saboteur Awards 2017. ‘Emotionally charged performance’ (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (Winnipeg Free Press).”

WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth – Banquet Hall (Venue 156) 

WHEN: 11:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I spent two glorious years (2003-2005) living in Edinburgh, and loved it. My first time at the Edinburgh Fringe was in 2004, working for the University of Edinburgh Fringe Office. The following summer I worked for the main Festival Fringe Box Office on the Royal Mile. They were both bonkers but beautiful experiences. I saw some brilliant work and made amazing friends. But I also remember thinking that actually getting to perform in the festival was some crazy pipe dream.

Now, fifteen (15!?) years later, I have acted in two productions (DESERT BLOOM and NOISELESS & PATIENT) and performed two spoken word shows (THE GEOGRAPHY OF ME and HOW TO STARVE AN ARTIST). This year I am bringing my third solo spoken word show to the Edinburgh Fringe. I am over the moon excited to be performing THE EMPATHY EXPERIMENT at the Banshee Labyrinth venue all month. I’ve seen some awesome spoken word there in past.

Big shout out to the PBH Free Fringe team, who work super duper hard to make performing in the Edinburgh Fringe financially available to artists.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

Big huge news for me was getting an Arts Council England grant to develop THE EMPATHY EXPERIMENT. It took me three times applying to be successful. The grant meant I had the resources to collaborate with some truly fabulous artists, such as Dominic Berry (who is doing two brilliant shows in Edinburgh this year), Kristen Luckins (who is the Apples & Snakes North Producer), Charles Leek (who did my very cool photos, video and promo artwork) and Kate Morton (whose keen theatre design eye helped me create a minimalist set that I can cart around in a flight case on wheels). I also worked with a composer for the first time. Eleonora Rosca created and recorded the cello and piano music that plays during the show. Her composing came from improvising alongside my poetry, which was a really cool creative experience.

Tell us about your show.

THE EMPATHY EXPERIMENT explores whether addictions to mobile devices are having an impact on how we feel and demonstrate empathy. I weave spoken word poetry through this hour-long show. The premise is that I’ve given up all my devices for 24 hours to see if I can measure increases in my empathy, and the show is the ‘final hour’ of the experiment where I frantically try to prove to the audience that my theory has worked.

I developed the show earlier this year, with R&D support at Harrogate Theatre, the Lawrence Batley Theatre (LBT), Square Chapel Arts Centre, and the Brewery Arts Centre. I had a sold-out premiere at the LBT in March and have performed it in Kendal, Harrogate and the Cotswolds. Feedback has been incredibly positive. The subject matter resonates strongly with people, and has sparked some animated and urgent discussion about how we use our phones and how we connect with each other. I’ll be performing the show at the Greater Manchester Fringe in July, before heading up to Scotland.

A new experience in this process was having live captioning at one of my performances. I connected with a woman called Margaret Hansard who provided captions for the show at Harrogate Theatre. I was featured in Limping Chicken (the world’s most popular deaf blog) about the reasons behind my decision to do this. As a result of the blog, I was contacted by Claire Hill and will have a captioned performance of THE EMPATHY EXPERIENT in Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 August. Claire is a seasoned captioner, and this will be her first time captioning a PBH Free Fringe show … we are so excited to make it happen!

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

Dominic Berry (who helped develop my show) is performing When Trolls Try to Eat Your Goldfish (fab kids show), as well as his wonderfully energetic show, I Can Make You Fail Slightly Less. Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin’s show Don’t Bother is superb (it won Best Spoken Word Show at the 2019 Saboteur Awards). I’ve been following Leanne Moden’s development of Skip Skip Skip on Instagram and am really excited to see it. Ros Ballinger’s Better Than Dying Alone was aces at last year’s Camden Fringe. Poet Henry Raby’s Apps & Austerity promises to be powerful, and Sez Thomasin’s Equality and Perversity will pull no poetic punches. Also excited for Mark Grist’s Mark Can’t Rap and Pete the Temp’s Homer to Hip Hop … SO MUCH TO SEE!!!

Plus, I’ve been invited to be a guest performer at some fabulous shows: That’s What She Said, Loud Poets: Best of Fringe, and She Grrrowls. All three shows feature different (and amazing!) artists each night, so are definitely worth checking out!

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+3 Interview: The Professor

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“For me, the Edinburgh Fringe opened up a career’s worth of opportunities to work in the West End (12 Angry Men with Martin Shaw) and Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Holland, Ireland and Canada.”

WHO: David Calvitto: Solo Show Actor

WHAT: “The university’s oddest professor has made a remarkable discovery. He’s thrilled – but why is his lecture today even stranger and wilder than ever? An odd, surreal comedy about Dickens, shipwrecks, the Venus de Milo, fainting poets and the perils of original thinking. By two-time Fringe First winner Brian Parks. Performed by Stage’s Best Actor David Calvitto. ‘A brilliant piece of writing’ (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘There is no American writer more thoughtful – in an explosive and surreally comic way’ (Scotsman). ‘Calvitto is one of the funniest, cleverest performers around’ (Herald). ‘One of the most-admired actors on the Fringe’ (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Drawing Room (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 15:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 15th year performing in the Edinburgh festival. Several times – including this year – I have acted in 2 or 3 different shows per day. I’m a masochist in that way. I think Phil Nichol and I are neck-and-neck in the contest for who has performed the most shows in the fewest years.

For me, the Edinburgh Fringe opened up a career’s worth of opportunities to work in the West End (12 Angry Men with Martin Shaw) and Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Holland, Ireland and Canada.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I guess I’d have to say two things. First, I had the great pleasure of working with London’s Secret Cinema company on an amazing production of Bladerunner. Such an amazing cast and unforgettable production. The other was the two days of filming on the new Kingsman film with Ralph Fiennes coming out later this year.

Tell us about your show.

The Professor is a solo-show about a very eccentric teacher giving his farewell talk. His perceptions of the world and views of history, art and the sciences are outlandish and very, very funny. Let’s say he’s a highly original thinker who also happens to have a lot in common with his many four-legged friends.

This will be the 7th show I’ve done with the writer of ‘The Professor’, Brian Parks. He’s a two-time Fringe First winner and a friend and collaborator of 20 years. We had a great run of his play, Americana Absurdum, in London at the Menier Chocolate Factory after winning the Fringe First in Edinburgh.

We’d like to take it to London afterwards and then maybe Australia, but we have to prove our mettle here first!

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

The other play I’m doing this year is called Judas. It’s written by and also stars Tim Marriott, who made a big hit with Mengele two years ago. I get to play a baddy in this one. No, not a Roman with a spear. None of that in this one.

I want to see The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw. Ian plays his father Robert Shaw in a behind the scenes look at the making of Jaws. Also, Stand Up Poet starring Gavin Robertson at Old Assembly Close, and Lucy Farrett: Lois which is at Underbelly.

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+3 Interview: The Dots

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“We have had so many ideas that we have been going a little overboard!”

WHO: Nerine Skinner: Performer and co-creator

WHAT: “Slick and sophisticated cabaret trio. Well, they were ’til the soprano stormed out. And the mezzo died. Remaining Dot Helen (up Dot creek without a dotting paddle) frantically finds emergency understudies. Watch as this new ensemble launch into an under-rehearsed whirlwind of quavering fear, major malfunctions and minor injuries as Helen desperately tries to uphold the bar of her beloved trio without a minims rest. Will they strike the right chord? Will they B flat? Can Helen stave the day? Join The Dots for music, mayhem and a cataclysmic crescendo! For-tis-si-mo-ment!”

WHERE: Imagination Workshop – Hanover Suite (Venue 119) 

WHEN: 20:00 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have been to Edinburgh with my own shows created by myself and comedy partner Lizzie Franks. We have taken two shows up there including ‘Myself and Myself’ and ‘Mindfulmess’ with our comedy duo ‘Franks and Skinner’. We had a great time up there and received 4 and 5 star reviews.

I have also been up to Edinburgh with another company called ‘Interactive Theatre International’ performing in an interactive, immersive theatre dining experience called ‘Confetti and Chaos’ (formerly ‘The Wedding Reception’), which both myself and my new comedy partner, Helen, will also be performing in this year alongside our brand new show ‘The Dots’.

Helen Colby, my new comedy partner also has performed in Edinburgh in the hugely successful ‘News Revue’.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

This year, the biggest thing to have happened to me is meeting my new comedy partner Helen Colby. We have entered into a new realm of creation! We met at panto in Salisbury while performing in ‘Beauty and The Beast’. Helen played Spite, the evil witch, while I played Souffle, an Instagram obsessed nightmare!!

We immediately connected and decided to create something different that would work on a universal level and ever since we have had so many ideas that we have been going a little overboard!

Tell us about your show.

Helen Colby formed ‘The Dots’ back in 2017 after a glittering career in London’s West End. She had performed in many shows including ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘Sister Act’ and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’ to name but a few and decided she wanted to put her focus into creating a slick, professional 3 part harmony group that would not only sound and look fantastic but would also provide a twist to the usual groups circulating in the industry. The group has been working regularly with very talented performers and the gigs have been flowing in.

When Helen and I met, I had come from a different background in performance. I have worked heavily in devising projects and writing and performing my own stand up sets as well as working within my already formed comedy duo ‘Franks and Skinner’. When Helen told me what she was looking to achieve with ‘The Dots’ long term, I knew we could work together to make this happen. We decided to bring a new edge to the the group that would involve a comedy arc that would bring all these elements together.

We started playing about with ideas in the room with our wonderful third Dot, Macey and soon ideas and concepts for a full show came to light and we decided to premiere this new mix of comedy, cabaret and dance in Edinburgh this year!

Post Edinburgh we hope to tour this and take it onto cruises as well as look at it on a television level as we feel it has legs to go further. We already have Christmas bookings in Theatres so we have a busy year ahead!

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

We would highly recommend our audience to see ‘Confetti and Chaos’ as both Helen and I are also in that show! The company producing ‘Confetti and Chaos’ also produce the ‘Faulty Towers Dining Show’ which I will also be performing it in Edinburgh! The Imagination Workshop Festival Hub has many different shows on this year at the fringe including a fabulous show called ‘Love/Hate Actually’ and ‘Only Fools and Horses, The Cushty Dining Experience’ among many others so it is a great venue to check out while up there… and good news… they are all in the same venue at The Principal Hotel, so make a day or evening.. or week of it!

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+3 Interview: The Black Blues Brothers

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“We did lots of big shows… but maybe one of the most important was the performance we did in front of Pope Francis in the Vatican.”

WHO: Guy Masterson, Comedian

WHAT: “The circus show that everyone is talking about! Joining the energy of Africa with a rhythm and blues sound, five unleashed acrobats perform their comedy tribute to cult movie, The Blues Brothers. In an elegant American bar, the chairs, tables and surroundings become props for new feats of acrobatic daring. Showcasing a vast range of skills and disciplines, watch in awe as the Black Blues Brothers amaze with hilarious dance challenges, fire and somersault routines, human pyramids and much more. An astonishing performance for all the family!”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Music Hall (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s the first time, and we are very excited about that! In those years we have been travelling all around Europe, but we have never been to the U.K. before. We performed in theatres, festivals, big events… with the sun and with the rain, so we don’t fear Scottish weather! Edinburgh is a great city, before and after the show we surely walk around the city to discover its treasures!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

We did lots of big shows… but maybe one of the most important was the performance we did in front of Pope Francis in the Vatican. It was during the Jubilee for Circus and Travelling People and… wow! Doing our acrobatics in such a place, in front of the Pope. I think we’ll never forget that experience!

Tell us about your show.

We are a group of friends that one day decided to become acrobats. We come from a social circus trust in Kenya called Sarakasi. It helps young people in trouble, giving a hope through art. Some years ago we met there Alessandro Serena, Professor of Circus History and producer from an Italian theatre-circus company. We feel a very good vibration with him and we started collaborating with him. We came in Italy and we create the show with him, basing on his experience as a director and producer and on our acrobatic techniques and energy. Now that show did more than 500 dates all around Europe and we want to do 500 dates more! And more! After the Fringe we are going to tour in Italy, Spain and other countries, then in the winter season we’ll do several shows in theatres… We’ll never stop!

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

Ed Fringe is full of very good acrobatic and circus shows. The Fringe itself is a huge circus! Last year we saw My Land, a poetic show of Recirquel company. What a show! If you want to see what contemporary circus can do with ancestral myths, but most of all if you want to see great artists sharing their energy with you, that’s the show you are searching for!

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+3 Interview: Love/Sick

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“As far as filling the Fringe’s brief to provide a platform for new companies, we’re ticking all the boxes.”

WHO: Luke Dunne: Director

WHAT: “For the romantic, the cynic, and the sick of heart – Love/Sick is a play about the kind of love you won’t find in fairy tales. Dark, funny and heartbreaking in equal measure, happy endings are far from guaranteed. John Cariani’s collected short plays sharply cut across the full spectrum of romantic relationships, from young love to old flames. There’s no sterile, airbrushed prince and princess here – Love/Sick is about flawed, messy people with problems they can’t always solve, but who will fight like hell to make it work anyway.”

WHERE: theSpace on the Mile – Space 1 (Venue 39) 

WHEN: 10:00 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming to Edinburgh to see the Fringe for years, but my first time involved in a show. In fact, this is our company’s first time bringing a show to the Fringe, as we’re very new, and every member of the cast and crew is a newbie too! So as far as filling the Fringe’s brief to provide a platform for new companies, we’re ticking all the boxes.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

So I think our story as a company really started at the very beginning of this year, when we first pitched Love/Sick to theatres in Oxford. After that, we decided at the last moment that we didn’t want to wait another year to take a show to the Fringe, and got in contact with the Space UK team. They were fantastic, and having had full houses and good reviews throughout our run in Oxford, most of the original cast and crew have put a huge amount of effort into making sure that this version of Love/Sick is even better. So all in all, deciding to start a company and do Love/Sick is pretty big for us, but honestly the last few months have been so full on and so much fun it’s hard to pin one moment down.

Tell us about your show.

Love/Sick was written by John Cariani, an American playwright, but this particular production came together originally as myself and my co-director Olivia, who is also performing in this production, discussed what we felt was missing from student theatre. Something to balance the sketch shows/stand up fare that British universities are so fond of, and the often overly niche and slow-paced theatre that student companies (at least in Oxford) often produced. So we settled on something fast, with 7 short plays that pull you from silliness to sadness in a comic but often unsettlingly dark take on romance.

Because we have a case of 4 playing 14 different roles, because the show is only 55 minutes long and tries to develop 7 snapshots of often very different relationships, boredom just isn’t really an option. Our Oxford run was both a lot of fun and a big success – we sold really well, and reviews were really positive. But even though we have retained most of the original cast, we’ve been rehearsing so the Edinburgh show to be tighter and funnier than the Oxford run, so we’re all really excited to see how it unfolds throughout the Fringe. We don’t have any plans to take this show beyond the Fringe, but who knows!

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

I would love our audience to go see more student theatre and comedy – The Free Footlights Shows are always good fun and offer a really wide range of student stand up, and I know a lot of really excellent student theatre is travelling to the Fringe this year, like the musical ‘Rust’ which is being put on by students from Cambridge. I also know that Almost, Maine, another Cariani play, is being put on this August, so if our audience have a good time at Love/Sick they should certainly check that out too!

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+3 Interview: Who’s the Daddy Pig?

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“Before starting stand up comedy I was an actor, and one of the biggest jobs I had was playing Daddy Pig in the official stage production of Peppa Pig. Fast forward a few years and I became a dad in real life, and suddenly Peppa and her family were back in my life again.”

WHO: Philip Simon: Writer and Performer

WHAT: “Having played Daddy Pig in Peppa Pig, when Philip became a dad surely there was only one expert to turn to for parenting advice? Yes, that’s right, you’re not misreading this; Philip really did play Daddy Pig in Peppa Pig (the stage production, not the TV show, don’t get carried away!). Join Philip for an hour of award-winning stand-up comedy about dating, parenthood and, of course, Peppa Pig… just don’t bring the kids! Jewish Comedian of the Year 2015. BBC New Comedian Shortlist nominee. Writer for Mock the Week. ‘Never less than hilarious’ (The Stage).”

WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth – Chamber Room (Venue 156) 

WHEN: 12:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This show will be my debut hour, but I have been at the Fringe every year since starting stand up comedy in 2011. Usually, it was just for a week or so to do some spots and show my face. Last year was my first time going for the whole month so I could do a work in progress of the current show.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

I’ve ticked a lot of professional boxes this year. I’ve continued to work as part of the rehearsal teams for Mock the Week and Taskmaster, and I’ve also travelled more for gigs. Apart from the UK, including The Comedy Store, in the past year I’ve worked in Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Crete, Cyprus and Israel, and next year I’m already booked for a run in Dubai.

Tell us about your show.

Before starting stand up comedy I was an actor, and one of the biggest jobs I had was playing Daddy Pig in the official stage production of Peppa Pig. Fast forward a few years and I became a dad in real life, and suddenly Peppa and her family were back in my life again.

As well as a (not-so-child-friendly) look at the world of Peppa Pig, I wanted to explore a number of themes in my show, including fatherhood and the importance of raising boys in today’s f*cked up world, thinking especially about gender stereotypes, equality and feminism.

I’ve done some work in progress shows at various festivals, but Edinburgh 2019 will be Who’s the Daddy Pig’s official debut. Depending on how the show goes and how it’s received I’d love to be able to tour it, especially looking at other festivals around the world (Peppa Pig is shown in 180 countries) and possibly linking it with mental health charities, especially those helping men coping with depression and their mental wellbeing.

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

I’m also running a compilation show with Aaron Levene called “Jew-O-Rama”, which brings the best Jewish (and JewISH) comedians at the Fringe. That’s at Whistlebinkies everyday at 5:15pm.

Some other people I’m excited to see are Joe Bor who’s doing a lovely show about his grandfather’s friendship with the actor Herbert Lom. He’s also doing a character show featuring “Posh Climber Jasper Cromwell Jones”. I’ve always enjoyed watching Jenny Collier’s shows each year, as well as Rachel Creeger, Aaron Simmonds and George Rigden whose preview I saw recently, along with Jen Brister, Abandoman and Mitch Benn. Oh, and if you want to be taken completely out of your comfort zone for some bonkers comedy brilliance, then you must go and see Candy Gigi Markham’s show. Don’t ask, just go, and thank me later!

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“I liked the man.” – Author Niccolo Capponi discusses An Unlikely Prince: The Life and Times of Niccolo Machiavelli

Posted in *Written Interviews, Books & Film by

“…there is always the suspicion that Machiavelli is seldom completely serious when he writes – the Florentine jocular, caustic, irreverent spirit too strong in him.”

WHAT: Acclaimed scholar Niccolo Capponi – a direct descendant of Machiavelli – analyses the famous political theorist in the context of his own times, revealing the many sides of the man behind the political genius and explaining his inability to capitalise on his own theories. In his compelling new biography – the first comprehensive one in English in more than forty years – historian Niccolo Capponi frees Machiavelli (1469-1527) from centuries of misinterpretation.

Exploring the Renaissance city of Florence where Machiavelli lived, Capponi reveals the man behind the legends, and a complex portrait of Machiavelli emerges – he was at once a brilliantly skillful diplomat and woefully inept liar; a sharp thinker and an impractical dreamer; a hard-nosed power broker and a risk-taking gambler; a calculating propagandist and an imprudent jokester. Capponi’s intimate portrait of Machiavelli shows how Machiavelli’s behavior was utterly un-Machiavellian, and how his vision of the world was limited by his very provincial outlook. In the end, frustrated by his own political failures and always writing with Florence in mind and for a Florentine audience, Machiavelli was baffled by the international success of “The Prince”.

WHO: Niccolò Capponi is the author of the highly acclaimed “Victory of the West” and a former fellow of the Medici Project. A direct descendant of Machiavelli, he lives in Florence, Italy.

MORE? Here!

Why Nicolo Machiavelli?

I liked the man, I liked the subject. Obliquely, it was also a way of getting even with Ol’ Nick, after being forced to go through his impenetrable prose.

Perhaps the biggest surprise about the real-life Machiavelli is how poorly he navigated the currents and slipstreams of his own political landscape. Why was Machiavelli so bad a being a politician?

Machiavelli was a theorist, and had never had a chance – unlike some of his contemporaries – to experience a hands-on approach to politics before he entered the Florentine Chancery. Like most theorists, he ended up losing himself up his own posterior orifice – something that his friend Francesco Guicciardini underscored more than once.

You say that Machiavelli’s most significant literary achievements were his plays. What did it mean to be a playwright in Machiavelli’s Florence? Were there permanent theatres, companies, well-known actors and authors? Where did Machiavelli fit into that picture?

Machiavelli wrote his plays for his own benefit or for that of a specific actress if she happened to be his girlfriend at the time. In early 16th century Florence, there was no such thing as a ”playwright” in the modern sense; simply, some literati who enjoyed writing plays. Not being any permanent theatre at the time, plays were set up ad hoc: gardens, private houses, churches… However, theatrical companies did exist and some leading performers justly famous.

Have you ever seen one of Machiavelli’s plays performed live? Are they any good?

Machiavelli’s plays are good, and La Mandragola an absolute masterpiece. I’ve seen it performed various times – the Clizia once – and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

If you could ask Machiavelli one question what would it be, but also when in his career would you ask it?

I would ask him late in his life, how was it that his vaunted militia, that he believed filled with the virtues of the ancients, took to its heels at Prato when pitted against professional soldiers – the mercenaries Niccolò so despised (that would be a good example of Florentine malice, on my part).

If you could own one object associated with Machiavelli what would it be?

I think the now believed-to-be-lost play Le Maschere.

Were the women in Machiavelli’s life anything more than dalliances and distractions? Did they impact his work?

Some were dalliances, some were serious. Certainly, his relationship with La Barbera (Barbara Raffacani Salutati), a renowned actress and singer, did impact his work, since he wrote La Clizia with her in mind.

You argue that the archetypical cold fish, buttoned-lipped reptilian Machiavelli is a modern myth not born out by the exuberant, salacious, occasionally coarse personality that emerges from his private papers. So which actor would you get to play him?

Jeremy Irons; at least as the older Machiavelli

Did Machiavelli really sit there of a night, wearing his robes of state, having imaginary conversations with the great and the good of times past – a kind of crankish thing to do? Or was he pulling our leg with a wry smile?

Knowing Ol’ Nick one can well believe that he sought the company of his intellectual equals – even if deceased. On the other hand, there is always the suspicion that Machiavelli is seldom completely serious when he writes – the Florentine jocular, caustic, irreverent spirit too strong in him.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve got a number of projects, mostly non-fiction. A book on the Battle of Castagnaro, written with Kelly DeVries, is coming out this July. Maybe I tackle Galileo next, just to ruffle a few more feathers.

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+3 Interview: FrontX

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“My shows are all about the edge between the streets and that stage – exactly what I found at the Fringe.”

WHO: Milan Emmanuel: Director

WHAT: “FrontX shows a range of international street artists who combine exceptional energy and resilience. Their fascinating personal life stories are the main theme of the show. As spokespersons of our contemporary society, these performers embody the true sense of integration, since the first meaning of the verb to ‘integrate’ is ‘to make complete, whole’, and, in so doing, build a complete ensemble. What interests us most is highlighting their inner motivations and what pushes them to specialise in their unique techniques. How do these atypical individuals transcend their difficulties through their artistic practice?”

WHERE: Summerhall – Demonstration Room (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, we are really exiting to be there!

This show is about humanity & diversity and we would like to spread it around the whole world.
So here is the best place to begin!

Last year, I went to prospect and I found this festival really exciting. My shows are all about the edge between the streets and that stage – exactly what I found at the Fringe. Finding such a diverse festival that also embraces these interactions correspond entirely with the FrontX spirit.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

After a few years of workshops and reaching out to different performers, I was finally able to create, with them, this show. Years of hardworking and difficult circumstances pushed us, even more, to see this project come to fruition. Since it’s formal creation, we have been touring around Belgium and France, where we have been getting some great reviews. Thanks to this effort, we were approached by the Wallonie-Brussels Federation to accompany them to Edinburgh, where I could put on this show that I feel is really rooted in the core values of the festival. They are helping us achieve the goal I set for our group last year and it is by far the biggest thing that has happened to us since last year’s Fringe.

We’ve played for thousands of young people and engaged with them about the purpose of the show – how to believe despite everything that limits you, how to achieve your dreams when you feel it’s impossible. Even if your dream is to be able to spin on your head!

Tell us about your show.

This show has been years in the making, ever since I met these crazy artists in the streets (some of them more than ten years ago). I’ve listened to each of their stories and was astounded by the way they’ve used dance and art to advance themselves in life, despite their circumstances.

I wrote this show with the help of the performers, all of whom are incredible and unique. We worked together to come up with a script and show that emphasizes each of their journeys.

The show is about their stories and their resilience: How they’ve transformed themselves through artistic practices; How they’ve used their differences and difficulties as strengths.

How Hip-Hop arts can help us to evolve.

Myself and the performers want to discuss how our differences create a better world. After this August, we’ll continue touring Belgium and France and we hope to continue our adventures in Edinburgh next year and then hopefully across the world.

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

There are so many great shows I’ve already added to my list! I would be amiss to not mention my personal street show that I’m putting on, “Super Showman”, where I use superpowers to transform regular people into superheroes. I’ll be hard to miss in my bright yellow jumpsuit!

I would highly recommend the other shows the Wallonie-Brussels federation are bringing with them as well: Before the End, Steve Reich Project, Comète, Triple Buse, Buzz, and Are we not drawn to new erA. All of these performers have been putting on great work for the Belgian audiences and they’re really worth the effort to go see them.

And if they’re too exhausted by all the excitement in our show, they can rest and think about what they saw 😉

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+3 Interview: Tony Law: Identifies

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“I made the huge mistake of thinking of myself as an artist. And financial success died right there that day. But come. Come see a comedy version of why people like Jazz and obscure classical music.”

WHO: Tony Law: Star and Lord

WHAT: “Tony Law Identifies the elements and as Canadian, Trinidadian, Celt, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, guy, working class, and autodidact. This show is a comedy show and it is original and funnier than all the other shows in Edinburgh if you are smart and funny. Otherwise it’s not if you are, for example, a dickhead. Otherwise. The best. ‘Impeccable’ (Times). ‘Surreal genius’ (Telegraph). Tony has appeared on Have I Got News For You, The Alternative Comedy Experience, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. **** (Guardian). **** (Times). **** (EdFestMag.com).”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 3 (Venue 515) 

WHEN: 12:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 16th Show. This is my best one yet. I know it. Though it may be for real connoisseurs of comedy. This Tony it(sic). try to push the form and take the form to different places and look back with different eyes at least just for myself and my audience. Wait. That’s the point. I’ve had 16 goes at it. Of those 3 have been works of staggering funniness. Only 3 have achieved the 5 and 1 star nirvana. When shows get 5’s and 1,s it’s hit the spot. When you just know it’s so good beyond judgement. It’s a feeling. This is one of those.

Don’t get me wrong, the other shows were good. And I’ve put everything into them. But sometimes I just get a hunch I’ve cracked it proper. I love doing stand up comedy and if I could’ve stuck to the changes needed to become a mainstream success I would’ve done it. I’ve been far too selfish and into it. Into what I think is funny rather than what a greater amount of people would find the money. It’s why I remain poor and my family would wish I could have grown up and thought of them more. I made the huge mistake of thinking of myself as an artist. And financial success died right there that day. But come. Come see a comedy version of why people like Jazz and obscure classical music.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’18?

My mother got Dementia. Probably that. She’s Trinidadian though and navigating from that strength. My mum’s always been surreal but this is taking her to new levels right out on the edge of conscience. I’m getting messages from the fire belly of Zarathustra reminding me of my comedy mission to confuse and elevate and initiate gut laughing.

Tell us about your show.

Tony Law Identifies is by me, Tony Law. An arthouseish, absurdity fest, time travel rant with a heart of gold shining out of Brexit Britain’s glorious punk mock soul. Tony Law Identifies is by me, Tony Law. It’s comedy from the stand-up comedy art form. It’s funny and unique. We travel to 1840’s Russian rivers for no good reason on to an Indonesian island 25000 years ago and into the sad dark heart of the 1987 Soviet Union. We meet a Rabbit and his best friend a Wulf. Music. We identify as Neanderthals and Indo-European horse peoples. Togetherness is achieved this way. Though in the end it’s just funny like a clown from a clown who’s funny.

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

Virtue Chamber Echo Bravo by the best stand up in Britain Phil Nichol and farmboy absurdist Tony Law do 20 different improvised shows. Or 20 separate written shows. Take your pick. Lesser than the sum of its parts. If you like car crashes that might inspire moments of genius then this shitfight is for you. Edfringe the old school way. Genuinely raw. That’s at the hives at 3:40

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