Category Archives: Plus 3 2017 – Features

All our features from the 2017 festivals.

+3 Interview: Juan Vesuvius: I am Your Deejay

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“The story is autobiographical and it does what it says on the tin. I have been telling these anecdotes in the pub for years.”

WHO: Barnie Duncan, Creator/Performer

WHAT: “Superstar disc jokey Juan Vesuvius brings his turntables back to Edinburgh to deliver the greatest and strangest DJ set you’ve ever experienced. But why does he need so much towelling? And what really happened between him and David Guetta?”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Theatre (Venue 8)

WHEN: 23:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No this is my fourth Fringe in Edinburgh. The first time I cam was in 2012 I think.. or 2011… with my best friend Trygve Wakenshaw. We made a show called Constantinople, and performed it at a venue that has since closed called The Electric Circus. In their karaoke room. It really taught us a lot and we were fresh non-jaded by flyering, toga wearing fun guys. Then I started bringing the Juan Vesuvius character over, and I am proud to be here with the third chapter in the trilogy.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?

I wasn’t here for Fringe last year, I instead went to South Korea and Helsinki and China with Juan and calypso’d those places heads off. It was pretty full on. It was so full on I got a Calypso tattoo to commemorate the tour.

Tell us about your show.

This show is the third instalment of the Juan Vesuvius story – a DJ from the Caribbean who loves Calypso and maracas, but in this show delves into the history of House Music. It is an educational and surreal and physical and Turntabelist I wrote it in Melbourne and previewed it in Berlin before bringing it to Edinburgh, and I am produced by the suave and tall Nick James Clark.

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

OK great question. They should see my show with Trygve called Different Party, and they should see John Kearns, and Peter and Bambi Heaven, and Paul Currie and also Laid by Natalie Palamides.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Creature

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“The performers fly, spring, fall physically forming relationships with each other.”

WHO: Vanessa Cook, Choreographer

WHAT: “Five extraordinary dancers weave aerial acrobatics and earth-bound choreography in a new work of compelling and visceral dance theatre. Visually stunning, suspended in a mesmerising soundscape, raw and beautiful, Creature explores the delicate balance between flying, falling, balancing, tumbling, succeeding and failing: this complex business of being human. A unique free fall experience for both performers and audience, it happens right in front of us, over us, and around us. UK Premiere from international company based in Switzerland. Creature is conceived and choreographed by Vanessa Cook (UK) and directed by Kate Higginbottom (UK).”

WHERE: C venues – C south (Venue 58) ​

WHEN: 17:35 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our first time to Edinburgh. Company members have been many times as punters, but this is the first time performing. I am British, but now live in Switzerland, so it’s especially nice for me to be returning to the UK with a with a show. The other members of the company come from Switzerland, Italy and Poland so they’re thrilled to be here.

Tell us about your show.

Creature is choreographed by me Vanessa Cook. It is an aerial dance show that uses ropes/harnesses/bungee equipment. The performers fly, spring, fall physically forming relationships with each other. Originally made and performed in a massive warehouse in Bern, Switzerland, this piece in Edinburgh is an adapted version for a smaller theatre venue. It can be performed in large or smaller venues.

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

I really enjoyed a show called ‘Land’. It was playing at Summerhall (but has finished already). One performer is bouncing on a trampoline, obsessively doing a jigsaw. Their relationship unravels in ridiculous and funny ways. For me it was a metaphor for how we try to ‘help’ each other, but don’t listen to each other.

But still playing is ‘All the Fun’. This is a charming and clever show.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Cursed

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“The festival is buzzing with energy and I can’t wait to meet some of you in the street while flyering, come say hello if you see me!”

WHO: Mila G. Lawlor, Stage Manager

WHAT: “Divine punishment. Guilt. Bloodshed. The story of the House of Atreus is the most haunting of Greek mythology. Meet a family descended from the Gods, where the borders between cruelty and desire, loyalty and betrayal are painfully blurred. In this newly written and bold adaptation, their story is revived. It is now your turn to take action. From Agamemnon to Orestes, the family’s fate is in your hands. Coming fresh from London and making their Fringe debut, The Samurai! Company promises you a disquieting journey through the depths of human nature.”

WHERE:  Greenside @ Infirmary Street (Venue 236)

WHEN: 20:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, it is my first time! And the first time of the company as well! Most of us have dreamt of coming to the Fringe for a while and we’re really excited about being here together and performing! The festival is buzzing with energy and I can’t wait to meet some of you in the street while flyering, come say hello if you see me!

Tell us about your show.

‘Cursed’ is a modern adaptation of Aeschylus’s Oresteia -a greek family tragedy- re-written by our director and other friends. It is immersive and the storyline changes depending on the audience’s decision. To me the play is especially relevant in terms of how subjective justice is and how people make different choices depending on a large number of factors: mood, ethic, education, etc.

We are producing the show with The Samurai! Company. Once the director had her idea, she invited all those who wanted to come join her to create the show. Meaning: no audition process, a large group of enthusiastic people, coming from all walks of life, and from very international backgrounds! With the director’s hardwork and patience, we created an amazing show out of this challenging experiment, and she made all the actors improve incredibly in no time!

The production premiered in May at Goldsmiths University and received a warm welcome from our audience! With exciting and unexpected reactions as well!
As for whether we’re taking it further, we’re hoping to the moon and back! No, seriously, we won’t take this show further but we hope to take another one to the Fringe again next year!

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

Oh well, a comedy for a change! You might need it!

And, definitely come and see our fellow Greensiders! Otherwise, maybe go and see another more modern family drama to see how relevant our play is!…… Or, just come see the show again, perhaps to check out an alternative ending!

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: The Last Days of Judas Iscariot

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“Right now my brain is fizzing with ideas for next year.”

WHO: Stuart Walker, actor – Judas Iscariot & Butch Honeywell

WHAT: “Brought to you by Parallax Theatre, Stephen Adly Guirgis’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is a riotous look at life beyond. 2000 years after that deed, Judas is finally put on trial for ‘that business’ in Judea. With a dash of prejudice, a sprinkling of rude words and a lot of surprises, it is inventive, full on and very funny.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)

WHEN: 13:30 (90 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have been to the Ed Fringe before as a theatre lover but this is my debut as a theatre performer! The atmosphere remains electric and highly addictive. Right now my brain is fizzing with ideas for next year. I feel truly inspired by the performances I’ve seen and the people I’ve met this year. My only complaint is the need to rest cuts into my theatre binge time.

Tell us about your show.

Parallax Theatre are reviving Stephen Adly Guirgis’s show with a cast of 10 for the 70th Anniversary of the Ed Fringe. Take a seat in the jury as we put Judas on trial for betraying the son of God. Was it a moment of greed, madness or even bravery? Under the direction of Alexander Knight we’re bursting onto the scene with this “outstanding” (Young Perspective) take on an already edgy script, refreshing topical references and breaking up the all American dialogue (originally meant for a New York audience) – e.g I perform my character Judas as a fella from East London. We want the words to hit our audience harder than ever!

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

I highly recommend ‘Flesh and Bone’ by Unpolished Theatre – it’s like a modern day Shakespeare play set in East London but forget Kings and Queens, this is about the gritty life of a family on a council estate. Powerful and punchy with verse, physical theatre, comedy and more. Eloquent yet raw. Let’s face it, more interesting than the Queen.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Rory O’Keeffe: Rorytelling

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“…next year’s show will be called Rory O’Keeffe: Just The Bucket Speech.”

WHO: Rory O’Keeffe, Writer/Director/Performer/Narcissist

WHAT: “Affable young funnyman Rory O’Keeffe returns with a show about losing his faith and his bag (but mainly his bag). Join the ‘intelligent youngster’ (Time Out) for his second hour of jokes and stories. Or, as he narcissistically calls them, ‘rories’. ‘Thoughtful and self-aware, some of the better stand-up you’ll see at this year’s Fringe’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘You’ll be laughing – every time!’ **** (MumbleComedy.net). ‘Make no mistake: this is a downright clever show’ **** (Edinburgh49.org). ‘Utterly hilarious’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Comedy for a post-recession graduate generation’ **** (Fest). ‘A tightly composed and expertly delivered romp’ **** (EdFringeReview.com).”

WHERE:  Southsider (Venue 148)

WHEN: 15:15 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I am a deceptively young veteran and this will be my 9th year in Edinburgh. Here are my top 8 previous Edinburghs, in order of how much fun they were:

1. 2009
2. 2010
3. 2011
4. 2012
5. 2013
6. 2014
7. 2015
8. 2016

With age comes responsibility. This year’s been fun, though.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?

I moved back in with my parents and then back out again. It’s called ‘Boomerang Kid’ for a reason, guys. I have committed. You can’t just move back in once.

Tell us about your show.

I have finally given in to the Edinburgh Pun Title and called my show ‘Rorytelling’. I tell two Rories. One about losing my bag and one about losing my faith (#deep). It’s funny, and it’s in a delightfully charming back room of a pub. #humblebrag here: sometimes it’s so full that someone has to sit on the stage behind me like a bring-your-child-to-work day situation. It’s free and I give a good bucket speech. In fact, next year’s show will be called Rory O’Keeffe: Just The Bucket Speech. And I will just ask the audience for money for 50 minutes.

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

Matt Winning: Filibuster – funny show about climate change.Clever yet stupid. Silly yet serious. Cheap yet valuable.

Princes of Main – great sketch show in a great venue (Bedlam Theatre)

Macblair – restaging of Macbeth with Tony Blair as the ambitious lead. It totally works. I laughed really hard to show I understood all the clever references. I am that guy.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Blurred Justice

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“The aim is to raise public awareness of Yemen’s current situation; civilwar, humanitarian crisis and cholera outbreak. “

WHO: Dhvel Patel, Actor, ‘Sharif Fathi’

WHAT: “Amnesty International Award winning Blurred Justice is a thrilling and humorous play where the fate of one man lies in the hands of the audience. Sharif is a member of the Yemeni Houthi militia and is being tried in an eccentric court for taking part in an attack on Saudi Arabia. As he is being questioned, the play explores the meaning of the word terrorist and the complications of the Yemeni civil war with flashbacks of Sharif’s life, unravelling his personal motivations and important information on the involvement of the UK within the arms trade.”

WHERE: New Town Theatre (Venue 7) ​

WHEN: 23:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes. I’m a science graduate performing at the New Town Theatre for the first time.

Tell us about your show.

Kingston graduates and Directors of Performing Change; Yasemin Gava and Clarissa Kim produced the show, with Clarissa writing the script. This won the Amnesty International Marsh Award 2016. The production premiered at the Rose Theatre (Feb 17), International Youth Arts Festival (Jul 17) and will show at the Edinburgh Fringe and Camden Fringe (Aug 17).

In this piece, I play Sharif Fathi, a Houthi rebel on trial in a UK courtroom. I take the audience (members of the jury) through my Yemeni story (a series of flashbacks across a split-stage). The audience then vote whether I am innocent or guilty. Blurred Justice is powerful, though-provoking while being light-hearted at the same time.

The aim is to raise public awareness of Yemen’s current situation; civilwar, humanitarian crisis and cholera outbreak. The show adapts the script to reflect the most current facts e.g. UK ruling Saudi arms deal legit, cholera outbreak (recently covered by BBC news). It will be taken further as much as it can.

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

I’d recommend: The Missing Girl of Grigglewood, Edison as I have seen these.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Plan B for Utopia

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“Our goal is to reach new audiences, those who usually don’t see dance but enjoy theatre or comedy.”

WHO: Joan Clevillé, Artistic Director

WHAT: “‘You have a plan, and then you don’t. You have a dream, and then you wake up. You fall in love, and your heart gets broken. The question is: do you pick up the pieces and try again?’ Mixing dance, theatre and storytelling with a good dose of humour, Plan B for Utopia is a show about how we choose to live our lives: about having a dream, giving it up and trying again, but, above all, it’s a story about friendship.”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ​

WHEN: 10:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the last eight years. It was the first place I performed in Scotland when I joined Scottish Dance Theatre in 2009. I couldn’t believe what was going on around me! In 2015 we premiered the first-full length work with my own company at the Festival, Plan B for Utopia. After more than 50 performances around the UK and abroad, it is very special to bring it back to Edinburgh, this time in a theatre venue like Pleasance Courtyard!

Tell us about your show.

The creation of Plan B for Utopia emerged from the need to reconcile my artistic practice as a choreographer (which can sometimes feel a bit removed from everyday reality) with personal questions around how to live my life in the most sustainable way. I wanted to find a choreographic language that could render the gravity and complexity of the global challenges that we face to something manageable, less overwhelming, closer to human-scale. Plan B for Utopia talks about the role that creativity and imagination can play as a catalyst for change. About the impact of our decisions on others and the environment around us, about what happens when things don’t go according to plan…

Since 2015, we have presented the show in venues across the length and breadth of the UK, from village halls in the Highlands to contemporary arts centres in London. We were invited to British Dance Edition and internationale tanzmesse in Düsseldorf which are two of the most prestigious international showcases for dance. This year, we are incredibly proud to present the work as part of the Made in Scotland and British Council Showcases at the Edinburgh Fringe. Our goal is to reach new audiences, those who usually don’t see dance but enjoy theatre or comedy. For that reason, we are delighted to be working with independent theatre producers China Plate.

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

Stay at Pleasance Courtyard to discover the very talented Urielle Klein-Mekongo with her debut show, Yvette. Then head to Dance Base to watch Oona Dohererty’s amazing solo Hope & The Ascension to Lazarus. Round it all off at Summerhall with On Ice and Power Ballad.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Sajeela Kershi: Fights Like a Girl!

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“10 years down the line I’ve learned a lot, found my voice and what I want to say.”

WHO: Sajeela Kershi, Writer/performer

WHAT: “‘My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style’ (Maya Angelou). Hilarious multi award-winning comedian is putting up her dukes and picking her battles! Winner of Asian Women of Achievement Award 2015 and Star of Edinburgh Award-winning show 2007. Written for and featured on a variety of BBC Radio.”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap (Venue 259)

WHEN: 18:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

ALSO: Immigrant Diaries – Sajeela Kershi and Guests; 15:15 (60 min) @ The Three Sisters

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my 10th year of dipping in and out of the fringe. My first ever fringe as a performer back in 2007. Infamously I starred in the Edinburgh award winning show from Brendon Burns that year, ‘So I suppose this is offensive now’.

10 years down the line I’ve learned a lot, found my voice and what I want to say. However, you never stop learning. And Edinburgh is a boot camp to ship your show into shape no matter what level or experience you have.

This year I have bought up 3 shows, not only my solo stand-up/storytelling show ‘Fights Like A Girl’ but my award winning ‘Immigrant Diaries’ the run has finished now and a compilation show ‘Nasty women on the fringe’ which showcases some of the best female performers on the fringe. All three shows are attempting to make a comment on the state of the world events in the past couple of years.

Tell us about your show.

This show was written after the Anti-Trump Women’s march in London. I found myself at the front line and was also asked to be one of the key speakers. The show is about the things we fight for and fight against. I explore if the audience are ‘Fight or Flight’ by nature. Of course it’s my show so have a lot of personal experiences which lead to a story with myself and members of my family being held hostage in Karachi by an extremist group (don’t worry it’s funny given the circumstances).

I’ve been previewing the show before Edinburgh on what I call my ‘Comedy at your house tour’. In the absence of getting previews at circuit clubs as they have been snapped up by big agents. I took matters into my own hands about 7 years ago and asked friends initially and then contacts on FB and Twitter if they would host a taste of Edinburgh fringe in the venue of their choice so could be their living room, back garden, picnic, office etc (I’m known for doing gigs in strange places) they just need to get an audience of 10 or more people – they can have a whip around at the end for a charity of their choice (or pick one of mine) This years previews raised over two thousand for different charities as well as gave me an opportunity to test out material.

I’m proud of this show and all those who have been on the journey, It’s getting tweaked getting better every day.

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

The best night I’ve had out this fringe is watching Rob Kemps The Elvis Dead.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Alex Kealy: The Art of the Keal

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

” It’s a political hour about nationalism, nostalgia, rhetoric and history, but there’s actually loads of great silly jokes if i’m honest.”

WHO: Alex Kealy, Performer and writer

WHAT: “Watch a ‘marvellous stand-up’ (Skinny) funnify the slow-motion explosion that is 2017 liberal democracy. Politics, amirite?! ‘Hilarious… fresh, insightful and original… a great hour of cerebral stand-up comedy – and Alex Kealy is a name to watch’ **** (FringeGuru.com). ‘Ferociously quick-witted… flawless script’ **** (EdFringeReview.com). ‘A fascinating hour’ (Skinny). ‘Sure to be a hit… Clever and original… Kealy’s style worked a treat’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘I came here for comedy not a political lecture’ (Audience member, April 2017). ‘Sharp comedy… charming, self-deprecating… has the potential to be very big’ (TheNorthernPH.wordpress.com).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)

WHEN: 16:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?

A whole host of political and personal things happened that had a great effect on me this year, like everyone else, presumably.

Specifically and most relevantly, I’ve really enjoyed having to write a whole new hour of political comedy when politics has been shifting and slurring faster than drunken quicksand. It’s certainly *not* been having to can entire chunks of material because Trump has randomly fired someone or May has called a snap election.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a stand-up show written and performed by me, Alex Kealy, called “The Art of The Keal”. Which is a pun on the book The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump. Do audiences in Britain know the book well enough for my title to make sense? No. Do I currently have the capacity to tour this show in America where the pun would more clearly resonate with the audience? Also no.

Still, I’m having a lovely time – nice audiences and have enjoyed the little final tweaks to the show. It’s a political hour about nationalism, nostalgia, rhetoric and history, but there’s actually loads of great silly jokes if i’m honest. Laughing AND learning!

*The Cliche Police brandish their batons menacingly*

I mean, er…like it’s good, basically.

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

I’ve really enjoyed:

Mat Ewins – brilliantly innovative comic who uses tech and videos to great effect

Rose Matafeo – extremely likeable performer does super funny show

Found Footage Festival – bizarre training videos and infomercials collated by an American comedy duo, mashed together

Getting Some Early Nights – a very moving interactive piece whereby you make sure occasionally not to stay out late and instead go home, watch a little bit of TV, eat some vegetables and call your parents

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Under My Thumb

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

“We have been overwhelmed with the positive responses received so far, and we could not have found a more supportive venue.”

WHO: James Haddrell, Director

WHAT: “In a dystopian present, five women are imprisoned for crimes against society. Brought together by a common enemy and facing indefinite incarceration, their one remaining dignity is their continuing belief in their own innocence. The arrival of yet another prisoner seems no surprise, just another woman brought down by the world outside, but is she all that she seems? Shortlisted for the inaugural RED Women’s Theatre Awards in 2016.”

WHERE: Assembly Roxy (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 16:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No – as Artistic Director of Greenwich Theatre I’m here every year, either supporting young companies bringing their work to the Fringe or searching for the most exciting new companies to take back to London. This year is no different – we are supporting nine shows this year at Pleasance, Assembly and Underbelly, from clowning to music theatre, political theatre to award-winning drama.

Back in 2015 I directed my first show at the Fringe, a revival of John Retallack’s Hannah & Hanna – the debut production by CultureClash Theatre. I’m delighted to be back directing not one but two shows this year, but I’m particularly excited to have reunited with CultureClash Theatre for this production of Under My Thumb.

Tell us about your show.

Under My Thumb was first discovered by CultureClash Theatre when a short 20 minute version of the script was shortlisted for the RED Women’s Theatre Awards. Serin Ibrahim and Cassandra Hercules from CultureClash met with the writer, an astonishingly talented young writer called Cassiah Joski-Jethi, to talk about developing the script into a full length play.

After that, I was invited to lead a period of R&D with the writer and a full cast to explore the short script that had already been written and support the writer in developing it. We spent a week running scenes, improvising around the characters, developing an understanding of the scenario and talking about our own experiences of inequality in society. This was an amazing process, and the writer and I were incredibly lucky to have such a generous cast, prepared to share their thoughts and experiences openly and honestly and to contribute to the development of the show.

Then, with support from Arts Council England, we presented a short run of 10 test performances in Greenwich, inviting audiences to stay after every show to talk to us about the script, the characters and the premise, to see whether the show needed further development. With great feedback from audiences Cassiah spent more time on the script and then the show played at the Brighton Fringe and Incoming Festival earlier this year before finally being ready to open here in Edinburgh.

We have been overwhelmed with the positive responses received so far, and we could not have found a more supportive venue. We are presenting the show in the Snug Bar at Assembly Roxy, a dark, subterranean space that offers the perfect home for this claustrophobic, tense thriller. With the audience surrounding them, the six women incarcerated for alleged crimes against society can never leave and have nowhere to hide. Moments of projection fill in some of the back story for the audience, but the characters themselves are trapped.

We are now exploring a future life for the show. With audiences raving about it, I’m sure there will be another outing for Under My Thumb…

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

I am proud to be supporting a range of shows at the Fringe this year, so they should definitely start with some of those! The list of good shows at the Fringe is obviously overwhelming but I would recommend the two winners of the Les Enfants Terribles Award this year – GOODY by BoonDog Theatre and FORM by Rendered Retina, both at the Pleasance.

Also at the Pleasance, Patch Of Blue are back with a new show, WHEN WE RAN, after the success of WE LIVE BY THE SEA last year which transferred to New York. Hyphen Theatre bring the touching autobiographical story THE SOFT SUBJECT to Assembly George Square, and Edinburgh favourites Familia de la Noche are at Underbelly with two parallel shows, BEADLEDOM ALPHA and BEADLEDOM OMEGA, a unique pair of clown shows about life, death, and what happens when they get mixed up.

Outside of the Greenwich family, SKIN at Pleasance Courtyard is an amazing piece of hip-hop dance theatre about gender. I’ve also heard great things about VAN GOGH FIND YOURSELF, hidden away at the Natural Food Kafe…

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!