“To bring this piece to the Edinburgh Fringe is not only an artistic milestone—it’s a chance to honor those lives lost, to remember, and to remind. There’s no stage in the world that feels more appropriate for telling this story.”

WHO: Annie Lareau

WHAT: “On the 21st December 1988, a bomb exploded aboard Pan Am 103 over the quiet Scottish town of Lockerbie. Annie Lareau was meant to be on the flight with 35 of her Syracuse University classmates, heading home for Christmas. She was left behind. The lives of a tight-knit group of friends intertwine with the voices of Lockerbie locals in this electric ensemble piece – set against the ticking clock of prophetic nightmares and a terrorist plot. Through youthful buoyancy, debilitating grief, international media scrutiny and self-punishment, Annie’s journey is a poignant tribute to treasuring relationships in an unpredictable world.”

WHERE: Above at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 15:45 (70 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my first time onstage at the Edinburgh Fringe, but certainly not my first time experiencing the festival. I’ve spent the past two summers in the thick of it with my husband, David Epley—better known to Fringe audiences as Doktor Kaboom. Before that, I was immersed in the world of comedy improv festivals, so I’m no stranger to the marathon days, multiple-show schedules, and the electric atmosphere that define a great festival experience.

What makes the Edinburgh Fringe truly special is its sheer scale—it’s the largest arts festival in the world, a place where performers across all disciplines gather to take risks, share stories, and connect with audiences from around the globe. But beyond the numbers and reputation, what makes this Fringe unforgettable for me is that I’ll be bringing a very personal story to a stage that feels intrinsically right for it.

What sets this experience apart from my past festival roles is the gravity of the story we’re telling. Fuselage revisits the tragedy of Pan Am 103, the bombing over Lockerbie that bound Scotland and the United States in shared grief. While in America that event has faded from memory, overshadowed by later tragedies, its echoes are still felt deeply in Scotland. To bring this piece to the Edinburgh Fringe is not only an artistic milestone—it’s a chance to honor those lives lost, to remember, and to remind. There’s no stage in the world that feels more appropriate for telling this story.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since 2024, I’ve learned a great deal—both by observing others and by preparing for my own debut as a performer at the Fringe. While this is my first time onstage here, I’ve had a front-row seat to the realities of the festival through my husband, David Epley, and many friends who’ve performed in everything from traditional theatres to the street pitches. The lessons are many, and yes—I’m already putting them into practice.

First and foremost: Take care of your body. Twenty-plus consecutive performances are both exciting and intense. Treat hydration, nutrition, and sleep as non-negotiables, not luxuries. It’s about preserving your voice, your focus, and your spirit and so you still have something left to give.

Second: I hope to pace myself. The fringe is overwhelming in the best way, full of brilliant shows and artists I admire. But trying to see it all is a recipe for burnout. I’ve learned to pick a few must-sees while leave space for spontaneity, and sometimes just going home to rest.

Another big takeaway I hope to remember: Edinburgh is not just a backdrop—it’s part of the magic. The city itself is something not to be missed.

Tell us about your show.

Fuselage is a brand-new theatrical work written and performed by myself and two other actors. The play is based on my memoir, which I began writing in 2019 and completed a first draft of in 2021. The story draws from my deeply personal connection to the tragedy of Pan Am Flight 103. As a Syracuse University student set to travel with my friends and classmates from a study abroad program, by a twist of fate, I could not get on the plane. The production explores the aftermath of that moment: survivor’s guilt, the search for meaning, and the voices—both American and Scottish—that were forever altered by the bombing over Lockerbie.

Blending humor, memory, and grief, Fuselage is told through the eyes of a three-person ensemble and features multimedia elements including original sound and lighting design, projections, and movement. The creative team came together over the last six months, assembling a director and designers to help bring the story to life visually and emotionally. Once the script was in strong shape, the team began a series of rehearsals and workshops to develop the piece further.

The production held a limited run of three workshop performances earlier this year in Seattle, giving audiences a first look who also offering crucial feedback that was used to sharpen the storytelling and pacing. Edinburgh Fringe marks the official premiere of Fuselage, and while no post-Fringe tour dates have been confirmed yet, the team is actively exploring future opportunities to bring the play to other stages—particularly in communities with strong ties to the events it portrays.

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

Well, I am a bit bias, but I would encourage anyone to see my husband’s brilliantly fun family show, Doktor Kaboom. Bring your friends, your kids and a joyous heart and learn something along with way.

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