Category Archives: Plus 3 2019 – Features

All our features from the 2019 festivals.

+3 Interview: Give Me One Moment In Time by Doug Crossley

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

“Lyn Gardner … name-checked me as “a young actor of promise”, so yeah, basically, dreams can come true.”

WHO: Doug Crossley, Writer / Performer

WHAT: “Doug Crossley’s solo show brings together songs, comedy and the heartache of trying to understand a friend’s suicide. It’s happy, sad and sometimes silly. It’s a life-affirming love letter to shared moments in a theatre.”

WHERE: Pleasance Dome – JackDome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 14:50 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It is my first show as a writer and performer. I have performed at the festival before (ten years ago – shit!) and along with a full run in an “adventure comedy” (still not sure what that is) that fringe included a twenty-four-hour rapid response written piece about Fred Goodwin who had at the time just heralded RBS’ spectacular fall into nationalisation. That was a collaboration with Stephen Moss who was writing an article for the Guardian. He dragged Lyn Gardner along to review it and she gave it one star but name-checked me as “a young actor of promise”, so yeah, basically, dreams can come true.

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

Oxford Playhouse (and Louise Chantal specifically) decided to produce my debut solo show. That’s a bloody big deal for me. I’ve been hustling my way in this industry for a long time so to have a bit of backing from them is very new and very cool. The show has also been supported by Pleasance Futures as part of the Regional Theatre Partnership Programme. It’s a deeply personal show so having some help has made it feel possible to keep taking the risk to tell this story. I’m ridiculously excited/terrified about the whole thing. I also learnt to play the piano to do this show, which has been fun and a cheeky little challenge for my mid-30s brain.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called GIVE ME ONE MOMENT IN TIME. Written by me (Doug Crossley). I was on attachment as a playwright at Oxford Playhouse and immediately before the programme began I found out my friend had died. She wasn’t my best friend, but she was a deeply formative friend. I’ve spent a lot of my time as a playwright (10+ years) writing about trauma, shame, addiction, and most poignantly suicide. My friend took her own life. So, I spent most of my time on that attachment programme feeling angry, confused, and all the other feelings that come with grief. I used to think the theatre could save the world. I didn’t anymore.

Consequently, I really threw my toys out for the pram and didn’t want to write another play. John Retallack, who leads the programme, really championed this mini theatrical rebellion I was in and challenged me to just write. Since I’d “quit” writing plays, I played the piano instead. I took lessons and as I became a human being again I started to write songs. They were observing this one moment in time. Eventually, those songs started to weave a story. That story became this play. It’s a solo show, a musical I guess, about loss, grief, and anyone who ever had a mate that they dreamt big dreams of putting shows on with. It will premiere in Edinburgh this year. 2.50pm, Jack Dome. First Edinburgh. Next? The world.

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

Go see anything, and everything. At all hours of the day. That’s what I plan to do. I’ll be seeking out my other solo show compadres to compare notes and war wounds. I’m not able to recommend those shows yet because I don’t know what they are. But some others I’ll definitely be checking out are Spencer Jones, An Audience With Yasmin Day, and Bryony Kimmings.

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+3 Interview: Laura Lexx: Knee Jerk

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“I definitely think solo shows are my favourite thing… since I started doing that I feel like the Fringe has just got better and better.”

WHO: Laura Lexx, Comedian

WHAT: “Star of Live at the Apollo, Laura Lexx is a ‘bouncy, bubbly stand up star’ (Telegraph) shining a hilarious light on how hard it is to be a good person these days. Can you change the world without offending anyone? Her sell-out 2018 show Trying was ‘a masterpiece’ ***** (VoiceMag.uk) and earned her a prestigious Comedian’s Choice Award. Now, Lexx takes on society’s big issues… but come for jokes, not answers. It’s sure to be ‘stomach-achingly funny’ **** (Entertainment-Focus.com) and ‘another skilfully-constructed hour from an underrated performer’ **** (Fest). Early booking recommended.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Turret (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 17:15 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Heck nooooo! This is actually my 10th year visiting the Fringe! I first went up in 2009 to do the Chortle Student Final and then I got hooked. 2010 was my first full Fringe run, 2011 I got together with my husband up there, 2015 I did my first solo show “Lovely”, 2016 was “Tyrannosaurus Lexx” and 2018 was “Trying”. In amongst those solo shows I’ve done a plays: “Ink” (self-written and directed – good lord I was a tedious drama student) and “You Left Me In The Dark”, a sketch show “Maff Brown’s Parade of This”, a quiz panel show “Quiz In My Pants” and a couple of mixed bill line ups “AAA Late” and “The Lunchtime Special”.

I definitely think solo shows are my favourite thing… since I started doing that I feel like the Fringe has just got better and better.

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

Without a doubt Live at the Apollo.

What a day that was! I was fizzing, I felt like I was in a dream and it went better than I could ever have hoped. You dream about getting to play with the big guys and then, suddenly I was doing it and holding my own! When it went out the reaction was amazing… it’s been a total whirlwind since then! I barely know where I am!

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Knee Jerk this year… Last year I opened up about my own mental health issues in my show Trying, and this year I’m using the techniques I learned in my therapy to cope with anxiety to analyse the things society is anxious about. I know with me when I’m frightened and obsessed with something, there’ll be a root fear that’s irrational driving it and that’s why I can’t put it to bed. I want to take on some bigger subjects this year and I want to look at what’s driving divisions in society at a point where we should be coming together to fight carbon emissions.

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

Oooh so many… um… Jessica Fostekew, The Noise Next Door, Paul F Taylor, John Pendal, The Delightful Sausage, Joz Norris, Sooz Kempner… that’ll get you started, let me know when you’ve got their tickets and I’ll get you some more.

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+3 Interview: The Art of Skipping

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“The Scottish Theatre scene is a beautiful and thriving one, it feels like the festival all year round.”

WHO: Eleanor Griffiths, Writer and Director

WHAT: “‘Never been afraid of the dark, only curious for the spark.’ Alex Peel is a young and bright astronomer, destined for a life in the stars. Then Alex’s life is turned upside-down. Alex is going blind. After working all her life for this big moment of freedom, for her eyes to be opened and released into the mysteries of space, the windows have been shut firmly over her eyes. Follow Alex in understanding whether our destiny is written in the stars and if sometimes there is more to life than in front of our two eyes.”

WHERE: Greenside @ Nicolson Square – Emerald Theatre (Venue 209) 

WHEN: Times vary (50 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time taking a show to Edinburgh. I was fortunate to have done my drama school training in Scotland so was able to venture to the Fringe many times while I studied there. The Scottish Theatre scene is a beautiful and thriving one, it feels like the festival all year round. I feel very privileged to have been able to grow as an artist up there.

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

I gained an iron and ironing board after all these years, it turns out my mum is right, your clothes do look better when they have been de-crinkled.

Tell us about your show.

The musical’s story was created by myself with music by one my closest friends – Megan Hughes. The story was imagined after a particularly tough few years where I learned I had an asympotmatic lung problem, that if left untreated would probably kill me. This meant that one of my lungs had to be removed in an incredibly intensive and invasive surgery. For a young person on the brink of finishing her training as a musical theatre performer and someone who relies heavily on their voice and pulmonary stamina it was incredibly daunting.

To help me get through these challenges I began writing. I desperately wanted to build a life around the arts and at that moment the only thing I had the strength to do was to pick up a pen and write. I began thinking about other vocations in life where parts of your body are a seemingly necessary tool to be able to build a career in it. I also enjoy reading popular science books, in particular physics – I read a lot while I was in hospital! This is a joy that has been passed on to me by my dad and I have always wanted to combine the two worlds of musicals and physics. Another factor in creating The Art of Skipping story is that I had also been dealing with problems with my eye-sight for a long time and blindness had always been one of my biggest fears. I was then posed with my question for writing “How does an astronomer see the stars if they cannot use their eyes?”

From here The Art of Skipping was created, it’s a heart-warming musical about an astronomer, Alex, who has always kept her head in the books but her eyes on the skies. She has a bright future ahead of her. But just on the brink of finishing her degree in astro-physics she is given the news that she is going blind. It’s her biggest challenge to date and sends her spiralling out of control in a bid to see everything before she can’t see anything at all. From fear that she will never be able to pursue her dreams of becoming an astronomer, the panic sends everything she truly loved out of focus. But with the help of her mum and partner Jay they encourage her to use this as an opportunity to see the world from a different perspective, just like we do as children skipping across the park, with the world at our feet.

I am producing it with my own production company Purple Doors Productions and heading to Edinburgh with a team of four other brilliant women, who have helped shape the story into what it is today. We took it to the Theatre in The Fields festival in the summer last year and have had a successful preview at the Kings Head Theatre in London already. After the fringe we hope to take it on tour. The dream would be to perform it under the stars in some of the countries fabulous open air theaters.

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

Go see as much as possible across all the different genres showcased at the festival. The beautiful thing about Edinburgh Fringe is the abundance of perspectives you can be challenged with and the questions you come away with asking.

I piece of physical theatre I saw recently called Identity by CTC company is one I’d definitely recommend as this continues the questions and understanding of who we are outside the parameters of our own body.

I also recently heard about a new play while at an Edinburgh Fringe conference called Algorithms. It’s about loneliness in the online world

And if you like space stuff and musicals there’s another new musical out covering these themes at the fringe called Space Junk by Slipshod theatre which I’ll definitely be heading to this year.

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+3 Interview: Konstantin Kisin: Orwell That Ends Well

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“I think the job of comedians is to challenge the mainstream narrative, not reinforce it.”

WHO: Konstantin Kisin, Comedian

WHAT: “Konstantin Kisin, who made international headlines by refusing to sign a safe space contract for a university gig, offers an intelligent, uncompromising look at free speech and “wokeness” in his debut show. Full of strong gags, tales of rags-to-riches, back-to-rags (as the son of a former oligarch) and razor-sharp observations about the world, Kisin’s comedy walks the line between offence and humour as he tears into the sacred myths of modern society. Directed by Jonathan Pie with co-writer Andrew Doyle, the show is guaranteed to entertain and ruffle feathers in equal measure.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 19:00 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s my debut hour but I’ve been a couple of times before to do shorter shows and I lived in Edinburgh for many years.

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

I made international headlines when I refused to sign a “behavioural agreement form” for a gig at a London university.

Tell us about your show.

The show is called Orwell That Ends Well and it’s about the eroding freedom of expression in the UK. I think the job of comedians is to challenge the mainstream narrative, not reinforce it so it’s a show that will make you laugh, think and sometimes it might even piss you off.

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

Chris McGlade – you’ve never seen a comedian like him.

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+3 Interview: Robin Morgan: What A Man, What A Man, What A Man, What A Mighty Good Man (Say It Again Now)

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“It’s got a very stupidly long title – something I thought would be funny to see on posters but has really battered my word-count in the brochure. So that’s a lesson learnt.”

WHO: Robin Morgan, Writer / Performer

WHAT: “Following a sell-out 2018 Fringe and debut UK tour, the ‘utterly hilarious’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com) stand-up returns with a new hour. Robin’s a father to his son. A son to his father. But what makes a good male role model? As seen on BBC Two’s Stand-Up At BBC Wales. Writer for The Mash Report (BBC Two) and The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4). Tour support for Ellie Taylor and Iain Stirling. Warm-up for The Graham Norton Show. **** (Sunday Times).”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree – Main room (Venue 257) 

WHEN: 16:05 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my fourth year performing at the Fringe – I did a 30 minute show in 2015, my first hour in 2016, second in 2018 and here we are now, in the Year of our Lord 2019. I’ve loved every one, but last year was wonderful – great audiences, loved my venue – so much so that I’m going back to the same room, at the same time. What a treat.

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

I’ve just finished my first tour – I took the show I did at the 2018 festival around the UK which was lovely, being able to give it life after Edinburgh.

But in more important news, my wife is pregnant with our second child, due 10 days after Edinburgh 2019 finishes. Oh boy.

Tell us about your show.

It’s got a very stupidly long title – something I thought would be funny to see on posters but has really battered my word-count in the brochure. So that’s a lesson learnt.

It’s a new hour of stand-up about my Dad, my son, and what makes a good male role model in 2019. I’ve been slowly building it since September last year, and I’m really excited to take it to Edinburgh. I’ve had 5 people walk out so far at the same bit of material, which I find hilarious, because I’ve never been polarising before, and I really think it could be the thing to start off my bad-boy persona.

I think I’ll tour the show in Spring 2020 but perhaps under a title that won’t baffle people.

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

They should see Comedy In The Dark. It’s mad. Four comics perform their sets in a pitch black room. Visual jokes OBVIOUSLY don’t work but it’s so fun to do. I’m hosting it every day.

But if you’re sick of me, then Sophie Duker and Helen Bauer have their debut shows which will be nothing short of brilliant. Maisie Adam and Olga Koch have been making me cry with laughter when I’ve gigged with them recently so definitely them too.

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+3 Interview: Art of Believing – Flamenco

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“Our Flamenco Company consists of truly wonderful musicians who not only have the raw talent but an exceptional passion for what they do.”

WHO: Gabriela Pouso, Manager & Dancer

WHAT: “Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company presents Art of Believing, a must-see powerful flamenco performance bursting with passion and authenticity. Daniel’s unique production boasts incredible musicians (singers, guitarists, percussionists, a violinist and a dancer), joining Daniel in a mesmerising and evocative flamenco music/dance show. Art of Believing debuted in Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre in 2017. Since, the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company has been touring with sell-out theatre performances and gracing the stages of prestigious guitar festivals. After 2018’s hugely successful Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Daniel returns with his vibrant and exciting production full of fantastic new material.”

WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Big (Venue 38) 

WHEN: 21:15 (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company, this is our second year in the Edinburgh Fringe, but as individual artists, we have all been involved in the festival for many years; ranging between 4 and 16 years!

Daniel came to perform as a Flamenco Guitarist in the Edinburgh Fringe of 2015…and the rest is history! During that month he met myself, a Flamenco dancer, as well as incredible Flamenco singers Inma Montero and Danielo Olivera.

From there we all began working together in various projects, including the annual Fringe Festival.

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

Since last year’s festival, we have been continuing our tour of the UK.

In 2019 so far we have performed in theatres in Surrey and Brighton as well as the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Birmingham’s guitar festival, playing alongside amazing artists such as David Russell and Miloš Karadaglic.

In June we are taking our production to Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre and we have been invited back for a second year running to Ludlow’s Fringe Festival.

Tell us about your show.

‘Art of Believing’ was written and composed by Daniel himself and premiered in Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre. The company has since gone on to perform in theatres and festivals across some of the most fantastic cities in the UK…and counting!

Our Flamenco Company consists of truly wonderful musicians who not only have the raw talent but an exceptional passion for what they do. Daniel is joined on stage by Flamenco singers, percussionists, guitarists, a dancer and a violinist which together produce real authentic Flamenco music and dance from the heart.

Don’t miss this fantastic show, whether you are new to Flamenco or are a true aficionado, we promise you a beautiful trip to Andalucia…ole!

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

They should check out Tu Flamenco’s ‘Flamenco Tablao’ and ‘FlamencoNova’ as well as The Rootless Company’s ‘From India to Triana’ – both fantastic!

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