Category Archives: Bedfringe

EdFringe Talk: Hello, The Hell: Othello

Posted in Bedfringe 2023 by

“Does hell exist? What is the punishment in hell? If given a second chance, what choice would humans make? Regret or repeat the same mistake?”

WHO: Eungyo Kang

WHAT: “Millions of years after Othello killed Desdemona, Othello and Iago are living an endless, repetitive life in Hell. Punished for the sin of the past with recurring, relentless nightmares whenever they close their eyes, their bodies fade a little more each day. Until one day, Iago realises how to escape their terrible predicament. Hello the Hell: Othello by Jakhwa Creations, is inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy and newly interpreted to focus on the afterlife of the characters, recreated with a fresh narrative and creative physical theatre.”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Ballroom (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 13:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We are a performance team called ‘Creative Jakhwa’ from Korea, and this is our first visit to Edinburgh. Edfringe has always been our dream stage. Thanks to the Korean season presented by A to Biz and Assembly, it is a great honour to participate in the world’s best festival and communicate with audiences and the best artists from all over the world.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

In March of this year, we participated in the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia. It was our first overseas performance. In the meantime, we have performed several large and small performances only in Korea, and we have been very recognized and we have a strong pride in our work. And fortunately, we were able to perform on the stage called the Adelaide Fringe Festival. It was a valuable experience and a new stimulus. Now we have a desire to meet more audiences and artists from all over the world and we want to fly to Edinburgh as soon as possible.

Tell us about your show.

Does hell exist? What is the punishment in hell? If given a second chance, what choice would humans make? Regret or repeat the same mistake?

Our performance is a physical theatre called ‘Hello, The Hell: Othello’. ‘Hello, The Hell: Othello’ is an interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘Othello’ and written by Korean writer and director Bonggun Kim. It deals with the afterlife of the protagonists with our fresh interpretation and creative movements. Our performance will be at the Assembly Rooms Ballroom from the Thu 3 – Sun 27 AUG (Not 14, 21). For this run, our show is performed in Korean with English subtitles.

Millions of years after Othello killed Desdemona, Othello and Iago are living an endless, repetitive life in Hell. Punished for the sins of their past with recurring, relentless nightmares whenever they close their eyes, their bodies fade a little more each day. Until one day, Iago realizes how to escape their terrible predicament.

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

There’s a team I’d like to strongly recommend to you. It’s a team called ‘KOCOON’ from Korea. KOCOON presents a new type of show that combines comedy and K-pop as a team with the concept of a gag idol. Recently, Korean idols such as BTS and BLACKPINK have gained a lot of popularity, and many people have become interested in K-pop, and it will be a great experience to see KOCOON perform. Not only them, but also the ambient-house music team ‘IL WOL DANG’, Moo Soo Theatre group’s ‘The Maids’, and Creative Group Geo-gi-ga-myon’s non-verbal mask theatre ‘The Messenger’, which are all excellent, so I would appreciate your interest.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Agnes

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“Our show follows Agnes after her ascension to sainthood as she reckons with her powers, identity and legacy, with the audience joining her on a time travel revenge mission to track down her murderers in order to exact vengeance.”

WHO: Ella: Director

WHAT: “In 304 AD Agnes of Rome was executed at the age of 12 after rejecting the advances of grown men. We follow Agnes after her ascension to sainthood as she reckons with her powers, identity and distorted legacy. The audience join Agnes on a revenge mission through time to track down her murderers.

Combining shadow puppetry, music, and a healthy dose of time travel, Agnes is a new show by ‘THE company to watch’ Ricochet Theatre with their signature humour and poignancy.

Earlier this year Agnes was shortlisted for the Charlie Hartill Award, and Ricochet can’t wait to come back to Bedfringe with this work-in-progress performance, where they were awarded ‘Pick of the Fringe’ in 2021.

Agnes is a historical piece, but her story raises vital and timeless questions surrounding the way history is moulded and the desire to control our legacies; Do we have that power? If we don’t, who does?

“Ricochet Theatre are THE ones to watch” ★★★★★ GET YOUR COATS ON”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 29 July @ 16:00 + 30 July @ 12:00 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This will be our third stint at the wonderful Bedford Fringe Festival. We first came to Bedfringe back in 2021 with our first ever performance of our first ever show as a company The Same Rain That Falls On Me which won that year’s Pick of the Fringe. We returned in 2022 with the same show for a one off performance whilst also bringing along a new show Intricate Rituals which was a dark comedy one woman show using shadow puppetry.

Both experiences have been incredibly fulfilling – as a theatre company starting out we are so lucky to be able to access such a well-facilitated venue. The team are so friendly and supportive of our work. Bedfringe is quickly becoming the place we come to test out our new work and grow as artists – there simply isn’t a better festival to do that!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since 2022 we have finished a tour of a double bill of monologues and put together our new show Agnes. We’ve embarked on a series of Research and Development rehearsal weeks, bringing together our team across the UK (not an easy feat!).

Agnes was shortlisted for the Charlie Hartill Award with the Pleasance theatre – something we weren’t expecting! Although we didn’t win, it was an incredible experience to connect with and share the stage with other budding new theatre companies and to have a chance to share a story we’re care so much about.

We’ve also launched Bulletpoints, a writers’ showcase event – since beginning this we’ve read over 100 scripts and connected with so many exciting new artists!

Tell us about your show.

In 304 AD Agnes of Rome was executed at the age of 12 after rejecting the advances of grown men. She subsequently became the patron saint of girls, chastity and sexual abuse victims, though her story has become distorted and obscured over time. Our show follows Agnes after her ascension to sainthood as she reckons with her powers, identity and legacy, with the audience joining her on a time travel revenge mission to track down her murderers in order to exact vengeance.

Our version of Agnes’ story encapsulates several topics of interest to our company – artistic and historical legacy, forgotten stories, adaptation, staging time travel and revenge, to name a few. These concepts echoed our prior interest in staging the impossible, subverting narrative structure and exploring themes and stories from unfamiliar perspectives. In our previous show, we staged a character eating a dead mouse – this time we want to send a woman through time, perform miracles and bring paintings to life.

We are not interested in naturalistic staging but we are interested in revealing the artifice of the performance through methods including overhead projection, on-stage set and costume changing, on-stage lighting operation and perhaps even puppetry. Combining shadow puppetry, music, and a healthy dose of time travel, Agnes is a new show by Ricochet Theatre with our signature humour and poignancy.

We aim to surprise, move, entertain and provoke our audiences. Agnes is a historical piece, but her story raises vital and timeless questions surrounding the way history is moulded and the desire to control our legacies; Do we have that power? If we don’t, who does?

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

Well we’ve started up Fringe Friday on our social media channels so you should deffo check back in to hear about the exciting work going on at Bedfringe this year.

We have to give a big shout out to Yet To Be Theatre with The Geneva Convention of Human F**KS for their female centric witty gender commentary. We’re also keen to see Hidden Stories by Plays The Thing as we are interested in untold female stories in history (hence Agnes!) and Faustine by Light at Midnight Theatre – making Marlow’s Faustus female.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Lana Soy

Posted in *Written Interviews, Bedfringe 2023 by

“I have been singing all my life. As a kid I have been touring around the world …”

WHO: Lana Soy: Singer-songwriter

WHAT: “‘Pure’, ‘softest’ , ‘soulful’, Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell like – are usually the words thrown to describe Lana’s voice. Originally from Moscow, Londoner since 18, and in love with Bedford for 2 years now, Lana’s music has been inspired by most 00’ Pop, Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Evanescence, Des’ree, Brandy and Sade.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 23 July 2023 @ 16:00 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is my first time and I feel proud to be a part of it. I have heard a lot about it and am looking forward to my show. Not only it is great fun but also a proud addition to my performance experience.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I have been singing all my life. As a kid I have been touring around the world with the children choir. In London since 18 years old both gigging everywhere I could and studying Commercial Music (BA) at Westminster Uni and then Popular Music (Masters) at Kingston Uni. Highlights are an advert I sang on which aired on the main channel in Russia and a TV dance show used my original song for one of their entries.

Tell us about your show.

This is all about the voice. I love vocals the most in music, then melody. I do my best to show it in my performance. I write my own songs and play guitar/piano. I do play some covers as well to spice things up. I love playing music for people and give it my all. I hope it comes across in my performance.

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

I recommend Fran Pegg, Matt Bedford, Mat Roberts and Samantha Hughes. They are all brilliant.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Dimensions

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“What started out as a dance piece evolved into a multi-arts experience…”

WHO: Nisha Vyas-Myall: Director and Principal Choreographer

WHAT: “A group a young people, bored with their everyday lives, have their wish for adventure granted when they are pulled through a vortex. They find themselves in worlds of sweets and bright lights, stars, ice and fire, but soon find they miss the comfort of home. But will they be allowed to leave?”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 23 July 2023 @ 16:00 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is our third BedFringe performance, and our second on the Main Stage. Our students always have an amazing experience participating as it gives them the chance to perform in a professional theatre- for some of them, for the very first time.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

After our last performance, the children started talking more about integrating more arts into our end of year production. What started out as a dance piece evolved into a multi-arts experience, with acting, singing and even video and lighting effects.

Tell us about your show.

Dimensions is a show about exploring the unknown whilst appreciating everyday life. Four young explorers get pulled through a vortex into a multi-layered world unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. Those who live there are eager to keep them, but is that something they really want?

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

I have to recommend the other dance performances at the Fringe- the Kinetic Vibes Burlesque themed show looks fascinating and I definitely think the Red Cuthbert Morris are unmissable.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Life Under The Sun

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“Turns out that when you’re the only person in the festival doing a show in English then you get a lot of the internationals coming to watch you.”

WHO: Stephen Bathurst

WHAT: “A theatre show that explores the biggest question of all: “What’s the point?”

Features underpants, pompous man-servants, self-deprecating witticisms, an existential crisis and one giant hangover. 

King Solomon was a man who had it all…

Life Under The Sun is a one man show based on the book of Ecclesiastes. Well described as Blackadder meets the Bible, it is a dark comedy with a unique mix of ancient verse offset against pantomime and the dry wit of stand-up.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 31 July 2023 @ 19:30 (60mins)

WHAT WE SAID IN 2022: Click Here!

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

Third time out for me.

First go round was 2016 and featured ‘While Mortals Sleep’, a show about Job. There was lots of angst, shouting at the heavens and having rotting banana skins dumped over my head.

Second was 2022 with an earlier version of this ‘Life Under The Sun’. I spent most of that show prancing around in my pants and was told my abs were too distracting and pulling focus from the text.

As I directed both these shows I have only myself to blame…

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I have nearly hit the required residency period to acquire Finnish citizenship, a beautiful country and where I now abide. Happiest country in the world for the last five years. If you go there you’ll see why.

‘Life Under The Sun’ toured festivals in Britain, Sweden and Finland in summer 2022, selling out and breaking venue records in both the Nordic countries. Turns out that when you’re the only person in the festival doing a show in English then you get a lot of the internationals coming to watch you. And when many of the native audience grew up watching Monty Python and Blackadder then your show is quite popular with them too…

Tell us about your show.

Imagine King Charles doing his Christmas speech in his pants with a massive hangover and talking about how he can’t get it up any more. And he doesn’t have just 1 wife, he has 700.

Or old Joey Biden doing his State of the Nation address about the current economic performance, but he’s not slurring his words because he’s old, it’s coz he’s just hammered.

But instead of Charles or Joey Biden it’s King Solomon, supposedly the wisest man who ever lived. He’s trying to figure it all out. But he’s not quite sure what IT even is.

Blackadder meets the Bible is a good description…

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

I LOVE satire. And political satire especially. Very relevant and cutting edge with what’s going on.

So I’ll give a shout out to Rosie Holt: That’s Politainment! It’s got 4* and hit Edinburgh last year.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: The Evil Bat!

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“Come see Vincent Price at his malevolent best.”

WHO: Jason Frederick: Composer / Performer

WHAT: “The Classic Horror Experience presents a brand new and never-before seen film experience starring Vincent Price and based on the classic 1959 thriller THE BAT, with a new original score performed live-to-picture by composer Jason Frederick.

Who is the mysterious murderer terrorising the citizens of Oakdale?!

The Bat! Who is The Bat? Come and find out! See Vincent Price at his malevolent and charming best in this unique evening of film and music.

Jason Frederick’s film and television credits include Disney’s 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure, Top Gear USA and the recently updated classic documentary Bela Lugosi: The Forgotten King, amongst many others.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 26 July 2023 @ 19:00 (90mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

I’m pleased to say that I’m returning to Bedfringe for the second time.

I think this year’s lineup looks as interesting and creative as ever, something Bedfringe really seems to excel at, and it’s great to be involved once again.

And – it’s not necessarily evident to punters, but I’ve been involved in a few evenings like this now, and the operation of James and everyone else really is second to none.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Lessons of 2022 – I’ll have to double-check that.

The Classic Horror Experience has been continuing on its journey of live-to-picture filmscores to classic horror films, with performances in London, Colchester, Harwich-On-Sea and Southend, and preparations are in full swing for the next two extravaganzas, FRANKENSTEIN UNCHAINED and THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN”T DIE.

Tell us about your show.

THE EVIL BAT! is a new edit of the 1959 classic The Bat, starring the legendary Vincent Price and Agnes Moorhead, now with a completely new original score composed by me and performed live-to-picture.

Come see Vincent Price at his malevolent best and listen to the soundtrack on Spotify in the meantime to get in the mood!

https://open.spotify.com/track/3KHmEfGmpOLyzgJFuFtKKE

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

Well there’s just so much to see! I like the look of Twisted Tales and Frenzy, but there’s loads.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Sparky TKO: Neuropop

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“Punchlines and off-the-cuff quips will save this premise from drowning in earnestness.”

WHO: Sparky TKO: Performer + writer + producer

WHAT: “Sparky TKO is a poetical-cabaret artist, writer and musician from Bedford.

‘Neuropop’ explores the increasing awareness of neurodivergent conditions such as autism and ADHD, at a time when societal barriers and mental health access are among their worst.

Sparky uses their music and poetry to share personal experiences and universal themes, celebrate their divergence and how it informs their queerness and politics, and discuss how we could eradicate obstacles that impact us all.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 26 July 2023 @ 20:00 (30mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This will be my eighth Bedfringe since 2015, only the pandemonium of 2020 has prevented a consecutive annual run. Bedfringe offers a fantastic range of shows and performers across the genres, and is often a decent chance to catch some nuggets of gold before they hit Edinburgh.
The biggest draw, though, is its proximity to my flat.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Well…I mean my day-to-day has gained a bit of traction and variety in the form of consistent employment, and I’ve been growing to love my effective “second home” of Glasgow, where most my family live. I’ve yet to invest in an air-fryer and I haven’t watched Succession, but neither of those things were on my to-do list, so I suppose I haven’t missed any targets. And who are you anyway, the “lesson police”?

Tell us about your show.

It’s a collection of songs and poems about my personal obstacles in navigating my neurodivergence, and the problems I’ve encountered that perhaps seem more explainable when viewed through their lenses. I look at neurodiversity through universal and relatable lenses, through there is also a bit of an insight into my off-kilter interests, behaviours and thoughts.
If this sounds too earnest, serious and pseudo-scientific, I do litter it with puns and off-the-cuff quips, and the tunes will get you PROPER(LY) PUMPED!!!

It’s in the bar, so if you’re not fully on board you can always spend the 40 minutes deciding what you want to drink next (I recommend water).

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

Well I’m absolutely looking forward to 2 of my favourite satirists, Sooz Kempner and Rosie Holt rocking up to the Quarry. Simon Munnery always has something off-kilter up his sleeve. Musically, I have to shout out Living It Up Performing Arts Centre who are putting two bands on in the garden, and Jess Gherman who is a unique dark-jazz influenced cabaret singer.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: A Caravan Named Desire

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“We probably still make some of the same mistakes but hopefully just not as bad!”

WHO: Alexander Millington: Writer / Performer

WHAT: “I am many things. I’m an entrepreneur and manager of a little online shop. I’m a model and independent film star. I’m an entertainer. But if you want to know more, come knock on my door.

Working from a caravan has its ups and downs. Clients come and go. Ask them no questions and they’ll tell you no lies, just take the money at the door. But something’s different about this new client.

Discreet, professional, clean and tested. For a good time, come to the caravan. Your desire for hire.

A Caravan Named Desire is a one-hour show exploring desire and sex work in the UK through interactive performances. A Caravan Named Desire is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 29 July 2023 @ 14:00 & 18:00 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is our second time at Bedfringe!

In 2022 we brought our award-nominated I Heart Michael Ball and had such an amazing time we really wanted to come again with our new show! The festival organisers were amazing to work with last year and have bene so supportive this year we cannot wait to get back to the Quarry Theatre and see what Bedfringe audience think of A Caravan Named Desire!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Since 2022 we’ve grown more ambitious with our productions. Our ’22 show, I Heart Michael Ball, was a one man show with lots of props but no fixed set. A Caravan Named Desire though has brought in our Director, Helen Millington, as a performer too! And we’ve now assembled a set made up of an old (some what working) caravan which we have repurposed.

With regard to lessons learnt…we probably still make some of the same mistakes but hopefully just not as bad!

Tell us about your show.

A Caravan Named Desire is a two-hander, performed by married couple Alexander and Helen Millington who are trying to produce a play depicting the relationship between a sex worker and their client. However, as Helen becomes aware of just how autobiographical Alexander’s play is, things don’t exactly go to plan.

A play about sex workers and creative collaboration, A Caravan Named Desire is a dark comedy which invites the audience to join in with the narrative.

Supported by Arts Council England.

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

Strangers & Exiles’ Life Under The Sun – 21 July
The Play’s the Thing Theatre Company’s Hidden Stories – 22 July
Production by:Light at Midnight Theatre’s Faustine – 22 – 23 July
Avital Ash Workshops Her Suicide Note – 28 July

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EdFringe Talk: Bee Story

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“We have made a very physical and fun show with important environmental themes and want to share it with the awesomeness of Edinburgh Fringe and the world.”

WHO: Robbie Curtis

WHAT: “It’s a sticky situation. Queen Bee and Worker Bee need to work together to rebuild their hive, but things never quite go to plan… A Bee Story is a uniquely Australian physical theatre show for children and families incorporating a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music. It tells the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after being destroyed by a bushfire. Join the bees on their buzzy adventures and be enchanted by their pollen-collecting skills, honey-making abilities, and super-bee strength. A Bee Story has themes of environmentalism.”

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

WHEN: 11:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

My name is Robbie Curtis and I’m the Director of Arc Circus based on the Gold Coast in Australia. I’ve been performing internationally for over 15 years with Cirque Du Soleil, Circa, Circus Oz, Australian Ballet and more. Arc Circus has been running for the last 3 years, and it came out of a passionate pursuit to tell important stories through Circus, Dance and Theatre.

Second Time at Fringe. At Arc we are passionate about our work reaching a wide audience, and Edinburgh Fringe is an incredibly well regarded festival showcasing some of the world’s best work. We have made a very physical and fun show with important environmental themes and want to share it with the awesomeness of Edinburgh Fringe and the world.

Edinburgh Fringe brings great exposure for shows internationally. Edinburgh is such an inspiring festival, for many reasons but mainly because of the sheer quantity of work being performed at the festival. The city is incredibly buzzy, and we want to add to the buzz with A Bee Story.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

We used the pandemic lockdown time to make a lot of new work with our company. We wanted to use the time as productively as possible, and we did that by making 5 shows in 2 years. We have learnt that time is precious and for me the best use of my time is being a buzzy bee and doing amazing acrobatics and sharing that with the world.

Tell us about your show.

A Bee Story is a uniquely Australian physical theatre show for children and families incorporating a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music. It tells the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after being destroyed by a bushfire. But things never quite go to plan…

Join the bees on their buzzy adventures and be enchanted by their pollen-collecting skills, honey- making abilities, and super-bee strength. A Bee Story has themes of environmentalism, sustainability, and community spirit, and was directed by performer Robbie Curtis (Circa, Cirque du Soleil, Circus Oz, Australian Ballet), and co-created with musician and performer Lizzie McRae.

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

There is so much great stuff to see at this year’s fringe. From Late night cabaret like Briefs to hilarious and poignant clowning like Assume People Like You, as well as other fantastic kids stuff like Chores. One not to miss is Collision by Casus, a super new acrobatic work mixing dance and circus. Cannot wait!

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EdFringe Talk: The Awkward Silence’s Big Break

Posted in Bedfringe 2022, EdFestivals 2022 by

“No other festival is as intense or all-consuming; at no other festival does Basil Brush rub up so closely against a one-woman comedy show about going through a divorce.”

WHO: Ralph Jones and Vyvyan Almond: Writers and performers

WHAT: “Louis Voler wants his dad, Mike, out of his life – which is difficult as Mike’s just got them sent to jail. Can Louis navigate life inside without his old man to guide him? Can Mike win back his son’s affection before it’s too late? Award-winning comedy duo The Awkward Silence present their dynamic father and son prison musical. Resentment. Redemption. Songs. Diamonds. Escape? Lovely.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Balcony (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 14:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s not our first rodeo, no. This is the first time we’ve attempted the entire month since 2014 when we went up with a narrative sketch show called The Voyage of The Narwhal. We’ve been up in various guises over the years but this feels like the big one. Ed Fringe is just an astonishing collection of the wonderful and the bizarre. No other festival is as intense or all-consuming; at no other festival does Basil Brush rub up so closely against a one-woman comedy show about going through a divorce. The Fringe is a great festival partly because, though there are shows happening in many disparate places, it does feel as though there’s a real unity to them: that everything is related. It’s a smorgasbord but a connected one. When it’s buzzing it genuinely feels like the most exciting place on Earth, and who knows – maybe even beyond Earth.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2019 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’m not sure we’ve learned anything since 2019, no. Just trying to think… nope.

Tell us about your show.

The Awkward Silence’s Big Break is a comedy musical, written by us and starring us, about a father and son who are sent to prison together. The father, Mike, is a career criminal who immediately wants to escape with his son, Louis. But Louis is innocent and is having none of it: he puts his faith in the authorities. But is this unwise? Should he have accepted his dad’s offer?

We play all of the various characters in the prison and sing all of the songs, all of which were composed by Henry Carpenter. The show was directed by Julian Spooner of award-winning theatre group Rhum and Clay.

The Awkward Silence came together in 2010 in Oxford, when we met on the student comedy scene before stepping tentatively onto the London circuit.

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

Oooooh. They could and should see Colin Hoult: The Death of Anna Mann, or Police Cops: The Musical or Austentatious, or Showstopper. These are all fun, funny shows performed by people at the top of their game. Gorgeous.

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