Author Archives: Dan Lentell

+3 Interview: My Love Lies Frozen in the Ice

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

“Friends are either made stronger or broken at the Fringe!”

WHO: David Hockham: Producer & Production Manager

WHAT: “In 1897, three explorers took off to the arctic in a free-flying balloon. Behind them, they left a woman who could not forget them. Winners of the Les Infants Terribles Award 2019, Dead Rabbits present a highly visual and physical journey through whiter than white nights and darker than dark days, where nothing is what it seems. A tale of love, loss and strange power of the human heart. Presented by Dead Rabbits. Recipient of the 2019 Greenwich Partnership Award.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – KingDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 12:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 4th Edinburgh and 6th show at the fringe – although its the first time for Dead Rabbits Theatre Company.

My first show was back in 2009 (I think). Back then I was performing and using a highly visual and physical style to tell stories with music and comedy. The trouble was I wasn’t very funny… Its why I started working backstage. You did not need to make people laugh and rarely had to remember your lines. Interestingly this show is working with the same director, 10 years later. Friends are either made stronger or broken at the Fringe!

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

This year has been amazing. We have won the Les Enfants Greenwich Partnership Award 2019, been awarded Arts Council funding to make a new show – Some Little Entertainment in These Troubled Times and made some great friends – including Greenwich Theatre James Haddrell who is helping with PR. We have been part of a project in Woolwich looking at how we make performance accessible to a local community which has involved workshops and collaboration with partner organisations of the University of Greenwich and have now forged a friendship with Laura Goulden who will be interpreting a show for us in British Sign Language in Edinburgh on the 20th August! The first time we have done this. I also can’t thank the Pleasance, Les Enfants and Greenwich Theatre for the opportunity of performing in the King Dome this summer!

Tell us about your show.

The show – My Love Lies Frozen in the Ice – Is about the true story of 3 explorers who head to the arctic in a hot air balloon leaving the love of their life behind. Told through her eyes this is really a story of love, exploration, the human spirit and chauvinism.

The company are all past graduates from St Mary’s University. I graduated over 10 years ago, and the cast have graduated earlier than this, some as recently as 2 years ago and others 6 or 8. Our director, Kasia Zaremba-Byrne all taught us at one time or other.

I have only been involved with the work since the summer of 2018 as Kasia called me and said I need some help making the work seen in the UK. Hopefully, I’ve started to achieve this? Before this, the work toured North America in 2017 and won lots of awards! (Of which I can take no credit). We have had limited show dates in the UK but have a preview at the Bathway Theatre in Woolwich on the 25th July. It’s free!

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

We Want You To Watch (The Space). So this is nothing like our show. Its about PORN. I am slightly biased. I have taught all of this company technical theatre and helped with their design and aesthetic. Look out for the Cans of Sex on the Mile in week 3&4

Scandal and Gallows, She Sells Sea Shells (Underbelly) – Female centred show! Lost Women form history, Dinosaurs… What’s not to like!

SharkLegs, Fulfilment (Underbelly) – Because I am intrigued. They are supported by Greenwich Theatre as well so it will be good, but I like the idea it is created form the audiences desires each night. No clue what this means but worth a punt I’d say!

Perhaps Contraption, Nearly Human (Pleasance) We met these guys at the Les Infants Award. They were winners as well! Who does not like a huge band and nice people done in a way I’ve not seen in a while and well…

Incognito Theatre, The Burning (Pleasance) They won the Greenwich Partnership award last year. Women & Witches has me hooked. Also, I’m curious to see if this follow up from last years show is as good!

Haste Theatre, Ex Batts And Broilers (Assembly Rooms) Clown, Physical Theatre comedy and meat farming… What not to like!

Wonderbox Theatre, A Womb Of One’s Own (Pleasance) I feel like feminism is a theme here… Or perhaps shows which showcase women… not sure. Anyway,I think it will be good.

ChatBack Theatre and Comedy, If This Is Normal (Zoo Playground) – I thought their previous work “Lost in Thought” was fab. So looking forward to this one

New Diorama Theatre, The Incident Room (Pleasance) – I think anything the New Diorama touch is gold…. So I hope this is no different!

2Elfth Night (Venue 152) – So a bot of a wildcard. We have become twitter friends and they seem like good fun

Bait: Kill The Princess (Spiegel Yurt) Saw this at the Bathway Theatre in Woolwich. They are a lovely pair and funny! Also, they have promised to make a show with me called Dave the Unicorn where they brush my hair in a live art sort of way… I mean I think they were joking but… Also, a Bathway Theatre Network supported company – so part of the club.

Handprint Theatre, Moon Bird (pleasance) – a family pic, but also completely accessible! Which is exciting for the fringe. Laura is BSL interpreting our show on the 20th August!

Probably loads more – sorry If I have forgotten you

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+3 Interview: Brett Johnson: Poly-Theist

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“It’s a true solo comedy show about faith, non-monogamy and KFC.”

WHO: Brett Johnson: Writer/performer

WHAT: “Brett was a 21-year-old, married, monogamous Evangelical. Then he became the opposite. After sell-outs across the US, stand-up Brett Johnson’s show about (non)monogamy, God and KFC hits the Fringe. ‘A uniquely poignant story, with humour and deep sensitivity… a thought-provoking and ultimately inspiring tale’ (PortFringe.com/Reviews). ‘Boundless charm… the definition of more-than-meets-the-eye’ (PGHintheRound.com).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Charteris Centre – Just the Crypt (Venue 393) 

WHEN: 13:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I visited when I was a little kid, and I came to the Fringe for few days last year to get the lay of the land (mostly to acclimatize myself to the Scottish accent).

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

Premiering this damn show and bringing it to about a dozen cities across the States. I also correctly used the manual paper feed on a printer, first try.

Tell us about your show.

The tagline is that I was a married, 21-year-old monogamous Evangelical, then I became the opposite: it’s a true solo comedy show about faith, non-monogamy and KFC. Edinburgh is the show’s international premiere and my EdFringe debut. I plan to take it to more cities in the US after August but also – hopefully – to some spots around the UK late 2019 or 2020!

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

After my show to go Calton Hill and take in the view, I hear it’s killer. After that: Jamie Loftus who is absurd and great; Mike Lemme and Sam Morrison who are both funny and just good dudes, Molly Brenner who’s worked her tail off on her show, and Kyle Legacy, who’s unwell but a sweet boy.

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+3 Interview: Static

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

“I’m feeling both prepared and completely in over my head.”

WHO: Daniel Amedee: Co-Creator / Actor / Musician

WHAT: “Static is a hybrid theater and live concert production that tells the story of a son using music as a means to cope with losing his father to dementia. Static is a multifaceted production that utilizes projections, live music, and a simplistic approach to story telling that delivers an emotional, moving performance that is sure to leave you heartened and shaken.”

WHERE: ZOO Playground – Playground 2 (Venue 186) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes and no! It’s my, Daniel’s, first time in Edinburgh. But my partner in STATIC, Conor Kelly O’Brien, has been the past several years and produced a couple plays at the Fringe. So I’m feeling both prepared and completely in over my head.

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

It’s actually been a very busy year… We debuted STATIC at the Scranton Fringe in September of last year and did a small run at a theater in the Pocono’s in November ’18. I’m mainly a musician and I tour full time with my band LIGHT SOUND, so in March I did a US West Coast tour and then went to do STATIC at Orlando Fringe in May. We’re also doing Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters for their East to Edinburgh Festival right now. That ends the day before we fly out to Edinburgh.

I also announced the release of my debut metaphysical / sci-fi novel, Human World, via Boyle and Dalton. That’s unrelated to the play but still something I’m really excited about!

Tell us about your show.

The show started out in a really unique way. I’m mainly a musician and my partner in the show, Conor Kelly O’Brien, is a playwright / actor/ arts administrator. He and I met when he booked my band at a venue he owned in Scranton, PA when I was touring through back in 2014. We stayed friends and when I released my latest album, I sent it to Conor and he was so moved by it he wrote the story of STATIC to weave between the songs on the album. When someone writes a play to your music you don’t say no. So we started working on at a distance (me from New Orleans and him from Manhattan), and came together to rehearse as we’ve been able to and it evolved from there.

After this Edinburgh run we’re planning on bringing it to Adelaide Fringe and then to Tokyo for a short run. We’ll rest somewhere in there.

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

Big Gay Story Slam! The same production company that produces STATIC, the New Vintage Ensemble, also produces an even called The Big Gay Story Slam. It’s a storytelling event doing a full run at Gilded Balloon that focuses on LGBTQ+ stories / performers.

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+3 Interview: It’s Miss Hope Springs

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

“I did a show many, many moons ago when I was a teenager. I had an awful argument with the woman I was doing it with and we didn’t talk for the length of the run. We were sharing a flat with HER HORRENDOUS MOTHER (dear God) who wasn’t talking to me either!”

WHO: Ty Jeffries: Composer Lyricist Performer Producer

WHAT: “Join comedy cabaret superstar Miss Hope Springs at the piano, presenting original musical numbers from her vintage repertoire of toe-tapping show tunes, finger-snapping pop and heart-rending ballads, interspersed with scandalous stories from her ‘Ritz-to-the-pits’ showbiz life in LA, Paris and… Dungeness! Still in the sequins she fled the Pink Pelican Casino wearing in 1972, let Hope (once the toast of Vegas, now down on her luck and heavily medicated) take you on a trip down ‘mammary lane’ in this ‘smash hit laugh-out-loud-move-you to-tears show’ (BroadwayWorld.com).”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Bijou (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 20:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Well, I’m thrilled to say this is my first full run, and in one of the top venues too! I did a show many, many moons ago when I was a teenager. I had an awful argument with the woman I was doing it with and we didn’t talk for the length of the run. We were sharing a flat with HER HORRENDOUS MOTHER (dear God) who wasn’t talking to me either! it was a total nightmare. I was only 18 at the time.

In 2014 I brought Miss Hope Springs to The Edinburgh Playhouse, The Boards but that was a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ 6 show run but it was a big success. It’s taken me this long to really have the time to put into it as it’s such a mammoth task…isn’t it? I have to say the team at The Assembly Rooms and The Fringe Society have just been simply amazing.

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

Being the support act for Marc Almond at The Apollo Hammersmith and sharing the bill with him and fabulous Immodesty Blaize. I love Marc’s work so it was a real thrill to be asked. The other acts that have been part of that season are Burt Bacharach, Joss Stone and George Benson…So it’s pretty good company to be keeping.

Tell us about your show.

Miss Hope Springs was once the toast of Las Vegas. Now she’s down on her luck and highly medicated. As Hope, I play the piano and sing songs from her vintage repertoire of finger-snapping pop, smouldering torch songs and toe-tapping showstoppers. Broadway World kindly called it ‘The smash-hit laugh-out-loud-move-you-to-tears show’ and Julian Clary insists it’s ‘Tragi-comic genius’. But you really have to see it for yourself to judge. I think it’s safe to say it blows all the stereotypes about ‘drag’ out of the water. All the music is mine, the lyrics and the dialogue too and I play the piano and sing live and tell stories from Hope’s Rits to the pits life in LA, Paris and erm…Dungeness! (where she lives in a camper van with her ex-husband Irving and his close hairdresser pal Carlos).

I’ve been writing songs all my life and had my first publishing deal in my early 20s (signed to Elton John’s Rocket Music.) Then I created my alter ego, fading glamor-puss Miss Hope Springs and appeared at The Brighton Fringe and went on to win Best Cabaret there 2011. Then I moved to London and have been resident at Crazy Coqs/Live at Zedel ever since. In 2017 I toured Miss Hope Springs around the UK with her ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ show and have also toured the USA with it. I’ve even performed a solo sold-out show at The Wigmore Hall in London (which is the next best classical venue to The Albert Hall).

I also direct it, and it ‘s produced by Vaudelesque Productions (if you can pronounce that you get a free gift) which is my production company. I created it for my shows as Hope and the more autobiographical shows I do as myself playing the piano and singing my original songs and talking about my childhood growing up in Hollywood (my father was the late British character actor Lionel Jeffries) and also my original classical piano music, which was recently featured by Suzy Klein on BBC Radio 3 Essential Classics. ‘It’s Miss Hope Springs’ show returns to London at Live at Zedel/Le Crazy Coqs in the West End and I’m then taking it around the country.

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

Probably a psychiatrist! Did you know Miss Hope Springs actually has a support groups for addictees. People literally become obsessed with her and come and see every show, which is extremely flattering. I would certainly say catch Dickie Shelton in his ‘Sinatra Raw’ show and of course fabulous Reuben Kaye wherever/whenever you can catch him.

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+3 Interview: Footnotes

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

“The company is just me so it came together when I decided to start making my own work…”

WHO: Lewys Holt: Choreographer

WHAT: “Footnotes are additional information at the bottom of the page. They can add some context to what is being discussed in the main text, helping the reader better understand the discussion or possibly suggest places for further research. At other times, they are frightening glimpses into what the author is really thinking underneath it all. Footnotes is a parody of an academic lecture whose verbose and dense language is frequently derailed by footnotes that could entail any number of diversions including, but not limited to, dancing, oversharing, surreal narratives or flirting.”

WHERE: Summerhall – Anatomy Lecture Theatre
20:45 (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 20:45 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, it is my… maybe 6th or 7th… third time doing shows though. In 2014 I was part of a comedy chat show called Conversation Garden where the audience members became the guests and in 2016 I performed my first solo show Of, or at, a Fairly Low Temperature which was a dance and comedy piece about trying to be cool…. some things have changed since them but I’m still trying… I must… we all must… it is our duty!

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

I’ve grown my hair long and recently bleached it whilst in Berlin (still trying to be cool) it’s shaken me to my core… I don’t know who I am anymore.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote and choreographed the piece with some help from Inari Hulkkonen, Tiia Ojala, Olivia Winteringham and Jack Britton. It’s a fun show… surreal and obtuse but certainly fun. The company is just me so it came together when I decided to start making my own work… this mainly occurred because some people saw me improvising and took an interest in me and helped me to start making solos… and I just jumped at the chance because no one was casting me in anything haha.

The show has been produced by my friend and stand-up comedian Daniel Nicholas.

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

‘Goose’ make the funniest one-man shows I’ve ever seen, sweaty, cartoony, hilarious.

One by Nasi Voutsas and Bertrand Lesca
My housemate Nasi Voutsas is doing a show called ‘One’, he always makes inspiring
stuff with his friend Bert Lesca.

Conversation Garden on Love Island, A Choose Your Own Misadventure
I’m doing a comedy sketch show based on a choose your own adventure games and Love Island for the last ten days of the festival, it gets very surreal!

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+3 Interview: Shadows

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

“This is our second time to the Edinburgh Fringe as a company.”

WHO: Ellen Harris: Producer

WHAT: “Nat and James work together, struggling against a possibly imagined attraction, without space to explore their chemistry. Dissecting the pressures of modern-day romance, Shadows sees Nat delve into fantasy in order to endure repeated rejection, never sure if James is flirting with her or if their coexistence is edging closer to friendship. As her expectations move further and further away from reality, Nat must try to break away from a life where she feels desperately stuck. When attraction isn’t as simple as love at first sight, how do our brains compensate for our innate desire to be loved?”

WHERE: ZOO Playground – Playground 1 (Venue 186) 

WHEN: 11:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our second time to the Edinburgh Fringe as a company. Last year we brought our debut show ‘Other People’s Teeth’ to Edinburgh and, while it was sometimes a struggle to bring in audiences with us being so unknown, we were met with some really positive feedback and lovely 4 star reviews from The Scotsman, Broadway Baby and a few other publications, which was just amazing.

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

Since last year’s festivals we’ve been working on our new show, ‘Shadows’ and have had a week-long run at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London, which sold out its first night and once again received a number of 4-star reviews. It definitely felt like a big step in the right direction for our company.

Tell us about your show.

‘Shadows’ was written by our company founder and artistic director Dan Sareen, who also wrote our first show ‘Other People’s Teeth’. The show depicts the relationship between two people working in a bar and is essentially about dreams, love and the distractions that we invent for ourselves. I’m the producer for the company but, in terms of bringing this show together, it really has been a collaborative effort between the whole production team, which is myself, Dan and our director Jess Williams.

The company came together through Dan, Jess and myself working together on shows while at university, and after seeing how well we worked as a team, we decided to try and have a go at doing it professionally. The show premiered at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London for a week-long run and we also performed a one-off show for the International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston. Preparing for Edinburgh has been such a big task that we haven’t really had a chance to think about where we’re taking it after.

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

Well firstly I have to do a shameless plug for another show that I’m producing with Chevron Theatre, which is called ‘One Giant Leap’ and it’s a brilliant satirical musical about the faking of the moon landing. It’s on at the Space on the Mile from the 12th-24th August at 7:40pm and is just so much fun and written and performed by some really talented young people (they, unfortunately, don’t have a twitter account but follow their Instagram @onegiantleapmusical). Our friends at Aireborne are bringing up two shows this year: ‘Shut Up Helen’ (5th-14th), written by Aimee Cross is a beautiful story about a woman dealing with mental illness, and ‘Tally ho, Secret Several!’ (15th-24th) which is a spoof of Enid Bylton’s ‘Secret Seven’ and sure to be terrific fun.

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+3 Interview: Anti-Depressed?

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

“As our relationship cemented we realised a shared interest in exploring the theme of mental health as this is something we have all struggled with at various times and in devising when it comes to the construction of a show.”

WHO: Rich Foyster: Producer / Actor / Director

WHAT: “Award-winning Happenings Theatre Company and sell-out Pop Heart Productions present their new collaboration. Are you okay? Mindfulness app or drunk every weekend? F*ck the pain away or yoga getaway? Medicate or meditate? An unfiltered look at the vicious cycle of being human. Poignant and so darkly funny it hurts. This immersive session is in progress.”

WHERE: theSpace on North Bridge – Fife Theatre (Venue 36) 

WHEN: 14:35 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Both the companies (Pop Heart Productions and Happening Theatre Company) in this collaboration performed at Edinburgh separately for the first time in 2018. Pop Heart Productions produced the show “Am I F#*kable?” and Happening Theatre Company brought “10 Steps to Happiness” both of which were performed to sell-out audiences at Sweet Novotel.

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

Since Festivals 2018 we have been shaping and creating our show, “Anti-Depressed?” for Fringe season this year. It has been such an amazing experience to collaborate with Happening Theatre Company. As a company that is used to producing our own work it has been a wonderful experience getting to blend both our unique perspectives on the world. In addition we got to premiere our new show at Brighton Fringe at The Warren. Allowing us to shape the production into the format you’ll see in Edinburgh.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is a collaboration between two different Brighton Theatre Companies who were friends prior to Edinburgh last year but, Edinburgh Festival Fringe gave us the opportunity to really cement our relationship and saw it evolve into a working relationship. As our relationship cemented we realised a shared interest in exploring the theme of mental health as this is something we have all struggled with at various times and in devising when it comes to the construction of a show. As such, the content has been written, directed and performed by all of the 3 cast members. You could say we are all control freaks but we have also undertaken the producing duties as well but have been supported brilliantly by all the staff at theSpaceUK.

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

As two companies from Brighton, we are always keen to champion our local burgeoning theatre scene. There are so many great performers coming to Edinburgh this year and we are delighted to be sharing this amazing experience again with them.

Firstly, “Sary” which will be on at Sweet Novotel 3 throughout the whole of Edinburgh which is an amazing piece of feminist folk horror about shapeshifting and witchcraft which is being produced by Different Theatre. Secondly, they are also bringing “Metamorphosis,” a reimagining of Kafka’s classic told through the eyes of Grete Samsa’s eye which will be performed at Sweet Grassmarket.

“The Fannytasticals” are bringing their rude and raucous brand of musical sketch comedy to Edinburgh for the first time at Sweet Grassmarket from 02/08-11/08. They can’t be missed, as the tickets will sell fast and are hilarious.

Lastly, the Hiccup Project will be performing at Main House Zoo Southside their unique brand of comedic dance theatre with “Lovely Girls” exploring what it means to be a young woman in today’s society.

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+3 Interview: Aaron Simmonds: Disabled Coconut

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

“I still have not worked out why everything in Edinburgh is uphill! It’s like an Escher painting.”

WHO: Aaron Simmonds: Performer

WHAT: “Join the BBC New Comedy Award finalist and wheelchair enthusiast as he tells you about how his first paid gig led to him performing on BBC2 a year later, and what happens when you are being trolled online for not being disabled enough. Aaron is far better at stand-up than standing up and his unique perspective on life – usually of people’s belly buttons – gives him a distinctive edge in his performances as well as a sore neck. Jewish Comedian of the Year 2017. ‘A class act’ (Chortle.co.uk).”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 13:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first full hour show, but I have been to Edinburgh for the last 4 years. So I know my way around but I still have not worked out why everything in Edinburgh is uphill! It’s like an Escher painting.

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

When I filled up my car with petrol, I put exactly £50 of petrol in and went into the kiosk and paid with a £50 note. I have never felt cooler.

Tell us about your show.

My show this year is about the time where I got trolled online for not being disabled enough. It was a very weird experience, but as soon as it happened I knew that I was going to write my show about it.

After the Fringe, I’ll be doing a mini-tour of the UK and hopefully, I will be going to some of the Australian festivals next year.

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

These are the guys that I’ve seen in previews and are awesome:

Maisie Adam
Catherine Bohert
Adele Cliff
Sarah Keyworth
Philip Simon
George Rigden
Jon Long
Sophie Duker

But also take a punt on anything that grabs you. It could be amazing and they could be the next big thing and you’ll be very smug that you saw them first, or they’ll be rubbish and it’ll make a great story!

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+3 Interview: Anna and Helen: Stuck in a Rat

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

“Having spent a couple of years focussing on writing for TV we decided we needed that injection of energy that can only come from live performance.”

WHO: Anna & Helen: Writer / Performers

WHAT: “Ever found yourself stuck in a rat? Unpleasant, isn’t it? Time marches on, but you’re on the spot. Not even marching. Very still. Stagnating, even. Stuck in that rat. We’ve all been there. Join Anna O’Grady and Helen Cripps in their debut show for a chance of getting out. The future is exciting and it’s still in front of you. If you’ve got the questions, they’ve got the answers*. *Depends on the questions. As seen on Flowers (C4 and Netflix).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – The Attic (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 17:44 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We’ve both been to the Fringe with other shows before, but have never performed there together. Having done a lot of comedy together at university we knew one day it would probably happen. Just took us a brief 10 years to get there.

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

Probably the decision to come here. We hadn’t done any live comedy in 8 years and had forgotten how infectious it can be. We wrote a lot of scripts and filmed a lot of sketches and were really good at not showing anyone. Now, in the space of a few short months, we suddenly have this live show. I mean, some people are actually coming to see it, apparently. Oh God.

Tell us about your show.

Having spent a couple of years focussing on writing for TV we decided we needed that injection of energy that can only come from live performance, so we booked a couple of Work In Progress shows early this year at VAULT Festival. We were shocked to discover how much our work benefitted from the sheer terror of an approaching deadline which didn’t mean handing in a script, but standing in front of people and saying something. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a disaster and we were delighted when the brilliant Bríd Kirby from Fight In The Dog saw it and offered to produce it. With a dream offer from The Pleasance Courtyard and the support of Helen Robinson at United Agents, we were suddenly all guns blazing for Edinburgh! We have no concrete plans for it after Edinburgh but we hope it’s not the end.

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

We love Lucy Pearman, Rosie Jones, Arnab Chanda, Holly Morgan.

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+3 Interview: The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord

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“We started working on it at around Christmas time 2018. We did previews in both January and March, with various production meetings in between, intensive rehearsals in July and will soon be packing up to head to the UK for August.”

WHO: Courtney Beamish: Producer

WHAT: “Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy find themselves locked in a room with no exit, as they ransack the philosophies of their lives and work, searching for a truth – why us? And why, in God’s name, together?! At once uproarious, raw and painfully honest, Discord unveils the many virtues and vices of these towering icons and discovers a universal truth: no human is human without flaws.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Ivy Studio (Venue 236) 

WHEN: 14:00 (90 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a company – yes. This is the company’s second-ever production and our first time abroad (we’re based in Switzerland). However, both myself and one of our actors, Ciaran, have had previous Fringe experience during our respective university years.

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

In the past year the biggest thing has honestly been this project. Our last production rehearsed for two months and then performed for a week. But this one has been much bigger. We started working on it at around Christmas time 2018. We did previews in both January and March, with various production meetings in between, intensive rehearsals in July and will soon be packing up to head to the UK for August. After which we will return to Switzerland, have a few more production meetings, and maybe some pick-up rehearsals, before a FINAL Swiss run in October. It’s been a MASSIVE undertaking and definitely the biggest thing to happen to me personally, and certainly the company, in a long while.

Tell us about your show.

The show with the massive name – “Discord” for short – was written by Scott Carter (writer and producer of American TV show “Real Time with Bill Maher”). The show is being produced by White Rabbit Theatre Company, a small, independent company founded in Zurich, Switzerland.

To be honest, the company initially came together because I wanted to see if I could produce a play on my own, and also to test out the idea of a Profit-Sharing theatre company. So in 2018, I organized a cast and director for The Importance of Being Earnest. The company produced the play in October of that year and it worked out so well that I thought, “Hey, this could actually work!”. Most people, at that point, would say, “Great, now to establish a base I will do the same thing and follow the same formula again, to have another successful show.” But not me. Nope. I thought, “Great, now how can I make this bigger!!”

“Discord” has been done (not by us), several times in the US, including a run in New York City, but made it’s European debut when we staged a Public Reading in January 2019, followed by a Rehearsed Reading Fundraiser in March. The run at the Fringe will be the UK debut of the show, and we will do a final run back in Switzerland in October of this year. (And then we’ll have a BIG party to celebrate a very long, very hard – but very fun – year).

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

Definitely check out our other “rabbit” friends Dead Rabbits and their show “My Love Lies Frozen in the Ice” and Rabbit’s Head Theatre Company’s show “The Kiss”.

Absolutely go see Dickens for Dinner, and if you can, Eddie Izzard in “The Expectations of Great Expectations”

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