+3 Interview: Slime

“We’re really looking forward to playing to Edinburgh families.”

WHO: Sam Caseley, Writer & Composer

WHAT: “Being a slug is hard. Everyone thinks you’re disgusting. Slug and Caterpillar are starving, and the only leaf left in the garden is just out of reach. Slug thinks they should work together. Get the leaf, eat the leaf, play a game, be friends. Caterpillar has other ideas. Slugs are gross, they’re covered in slime and they have terrible taste in music. Things get sticky. Enter the undergrowth to squish, squelch and play your way through this hilarious, surreal show for 2-5 years and their families, told with a handful of words and lots of slime.”

WHERE: Pleasance Pop-Up: Central Library – Pleasance Pop-Up: Central Library (Venue 462) 

WHEN: 11:15 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Ruby, our director, did a show with Paines Plough Roundabout a few years ago, but this is our first year as a company. We’re really looking forward to playing to Edinburgh families.

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

2018 was a good year for us. We made DUCKLINGS with Hull Truck, which is going to be at The Royal Exchange this Christmas, we took SLIME out on the road and we started hatching plans with some brilliant theatres for a show next year.

Tell us about your show.

SLIME is a surreal, funny show about a slug and a caterpillar. It’s told with few words and lots of slime and performed in a giant, immersive foam garden. It’s perfect for 2-5 year-olds and their families, and with integrated creative BSL and a relaxed performance environment, it’s really accessible. SLIME was written by Sam Caseley, directed by Ruby Thompson and designed by Rūta Irbīte. We are The Herd Theatre and we make work with and for young people. We’re based in Hull and we made SLIME last year with the Hull Libraries Service. We wanted to create high quality work for an early years audience in the city and this was the result. After Edinburgh we’re on a Northern Tour with the show to venues including Barnsley Civic, Cast, Northern Stage and Stephen Joseph Theatre.

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

We’re part of the Hull Takeover which contains some other great shows – Beach Body Ready by The Roaring Girls is brilliant. I’m really excited for The Polka and Complicite’s co-pro – I’ll Take you Mrs Cole! there’s animation and it’s about ska! If you’ve got really little ones Starcather’s Little Top looks great – circus for babies.


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+3 Interview: David McIver: Teleport

“My least favourite year was 2016 because I had 35 walkouts in one show and that wasn’t even one of the worst shows I had.”

WHO: David McIver, Performer

WHAT: “Come! Escape into the Realms of Warquest, where you can level up, complete quests, defeat monsters and watch a cheeky little man do some stupid character comedy. That’s right my friends, it’s another bit of fun from David McIver, all about escapism, loneliness and role-playing games. ‘Had his audience in fits of laughter’ ***** (LondonTheatre.co.uk). ‘Uniquely inventive in its approach to comedy’ ****½ (ShortCom.com). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (FringeGuru.com). **** (MumbleComedy.net). Appearances on BBC Radio 1, Radio 4 Extra, BBC Three and iPlayer. Directed by Jordan Brookes.”

WHERE: PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth – Cinema Room (Venue 156) 

WHEN: 12:20 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my fifth consecutive year at the fringe and my second full-length solo show. My favourite year was 2017 because my show was in the evening, so I could stay out as late as I wanted and nobody could tell me off. My least favourite year was 2016 because I had 35 walkouts in one show and that wasn’t even one of the worst shows I had.

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

I got my ear pierced. New year, new me! I think I look very nice.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a silly character comedy show about escapism, in which I recreate a World of Warcraft-style, online roleplaying game. I wrote it, it’s directed by Jordan Brookes and produced by Objectively Funny. I’ve previewed it at the Brighton and Prague Fringes, as well as in London. After Edinburgh, I’ve got a friend who runs a theatre in Georgia, USA, and I’m going to take it over there; I hope they like all the reference to Liverpool players from the mid-2000s. I’m telling people I’m going over to crack America, one regional 40-seater theatre at a time.

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

They should see Will Rowland’s Cocoon! Will is doing his debut hour of stand up and he’s so funny, sensitive and thoughtful. Jordan Brookes’ show I’ve Got Nothing and watch out for everyone being produced by Objectively Funny! Siblings, Harriet Braine, Tom Mayhew, Yasmine Day and Nathan Roberts.


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+3 Interview: Sunset

“I’ve also made a daytime television ad that seems to be on all the time and which my friends keep commenting on.”

WHO: Maggie Macleod, Actor

WHAT: “In a house in the hills at the end of the day a grandmother remembers her first date, the man she married and the ups and downs of their life together. A one-woman play with an intense and moving portrait from Maggie Macleod. First produced in London in 2013 and described as an ‘utterly convincing portrait of love’ (BroadwayWorld.com) and ‘a masterclass in the art of the monologue’ (Beige Magazine). Playwright Martin Foreman is the winner of the 2018 Pitlochry Festival Theatre Short Play Award and 2012 London Solo Festival New Writing Prize.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Niddry St – Upper Theatre (Thrust) (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 17:20 (45 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! I’m very excited to be appearing at the Fringe for the first time. I came to acting late in life and the Fringe is something I have always wanted to do. It’s even more exciting – and nerve-wracking – to be in a solo performance.

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

I’ve appeared in Outlander Series 4 – and remembering the great time I had with the wonderful cast. I’ve also made a daytime television ad that seems to be on all the time and which my friends keep commenting on.

Tell us about your show.

Sunset is a wonderful portrait of a woman in later life who is forced to look back at forty years of marriage and all the issues – love, infidelity, motherhood, career – which my generation had to face. Surprisingly, it’s written by a man, Martin Foreman, who is also directing the piece, and I’m impressed by his awareness and sensitivity. This is a revival. The play hasn’t been seen since it premiered in London with Carolyn Lyster (our generation remember her from Crossroads). We have no commitments for after the Fringe, but we are hoping to take it to small theatres around Scotland – and maybe further afield.

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

I have to recommend Arbery’s other show this year – an award-winning production of the powerful one-act drama Bull by Mike Bartlett. A strong piece with excellent acting. I’ve heard good things about EGTG who bring a production each year and would love to see Mark Ravenhill’s Pool (No Water). My writer / director Martin always recommends Glenn Chandler; I haven’t seen any of his work so I’m looking forward to his The Good Scout.


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+3 Interview: Paul F Taylor: Odd Paul

“I found a fiver in some trousers I hadn’t worn in a while.”

WHO: Paul F Taylor, Performer

WHAT: “Disappear down the rabbit hole of a fool’s mind. Marvel at imaginative, logic-defying, left-field ideas spoken from an award-winning comedians mouth! ‘An enticing, dizzying prospect, who whips through a welter of daft, Harry Hill-like ideas and diversions and chucks characters around with the agility of the Pajama Men’ (Independent). ‘An impressive knack for both observational wit and quirky flights of fancy’ (Evening Standard). ‘Eclectic mix of proper gags, gleeful flights of fancy and enjoyable awkwardness’ (BritishComedyGuide.info).”

WHERE: The Stand Comedy Club 2 – Stand 2 (Venue 5) 

WHEN: 13:20 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming up to the fringe since 2006 in various forms. I’ve performed in various mixed bill stand-up shows, written/performed four solo standup shows and five sketch shows as my sketch double act Short & Curly. Bit of a veteran me.

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

Short & Curly got nominated for best character, sketch and improv in the Chortle awards. Also, I found a fiver in some trousers I hadn’t worn in a while.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it, and I’m self producing it. Its got various bits of stand-up that I’ve been playing with since my last solo show, but really its all started to come together as a show after I put all the ideas together for a work in progress at Machfest 2019.

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

I suggest people go and see James Mcnicholas, he’s branching out as a solo act after having been a part of the sketch group Beasts for many years and he’s got an intriguing concept about being a boxer who has never fought. Also, my pals Jessica Fostekew and Laura Lexx always bring excellent shows, and will no doubt be out -standing. Also, I’ve been sharing previews with my old pal Nick Helm and he’s got some typically outstanding new stuff to say. See them all!


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+3 Interview: The Perfect Opera

“I wanted to raise the bar and make a comic opera that wasn’t about medieval commedia dell’arte tropes.”

WHO: Leo Doulton, Words/Director

WHAT: “Love! Death! And a pantomime camel! After extensive audience research, we listed the 47 things people demanded in operas and shoehorned them into this show. Macbeth enters, riding a camel. Macbeth and the camel are deeply in love – but when Lady Macbeth finds out, magic, murder and a mad scene ensue. With drag queens, ballet scenes and social relevance (but not forcing ideas down your throat), this hip-hop foxtrot operatic sketch comedy show is (technically) The Perfect Opera. Winner of the Francis Chagrin Award from the Sound and Music Foundation.”

WHERE: Paradise in The Vault – The Annexe (Venue 29) 

WHEN: 15:55 (45 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been coming since 2013, when I had my first ever directing experience with a student sketch comedy show. And another one the year after. Both were… pretty much everything you expect student sketch comedy at Edinburgh to be. But I had a wonderful time seeing everything, and got a bit hooked on the Fringe buzz. So in 2015 I came with a show I co-wrote and co-directed with Charley Ipsen – At The Break Of Dawn, which toured around Germany and got nominated for that year’s Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award. After that, I decided to take a few years out until I had a really amazing show to bring into the Fringe madness.

I’m pretty sure the rest of the company hasn’t done Edinburgh before – I’m excited about sharing something so amazing with them all.

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

Ooh, that’s a tough one. Personally, I’d say speaking at my first academic conference – Shakespeare and Co. in York, talking about how shoehorning a pantomime camel into a very loose adaptation of Macbeth is definitely justified by Shakespeare’s role as a shared myth in our society, and not just something I thought was funny. I got very nervous and gabbled through the paper – but it’s the first time I’ve ever presented to academics, so I’m pleased to have had my first taste – next time, it’ll be better!

Tell us about your show.

It came from two frustrations.

One was a personal frustration about people saying ‘oh, you should include [love/death/a pre-existing story/a more original story…] in your next opera’ and decided that I’d shove them all into one ‘perfect’ opera.

The other was a frustration that in my comedy work, people viewed ‘I laughed once every five minutes’ as a devastating criticism, but my opera friends saw it as high praise for operatic comedy. I wanted to raise the bar and make a comic opera that wasn’t about medieval commedia dell’arte tropes – there’s been a lot of recent changes.

Once the libretto was done, I brought Peter Davis (our composer) onboard, and got together a team of fantastic singers who were excited by the project and doing a very silly sketch comedy opera. They’re all great at comedy – not just for opera singers, but just as comedians in their own right.

We’re working with Virtually Opera – they’re devoted to fusion opera, mixing it with clowning, YouTube videos, and vampire B-movies and tabletop roleplaying games. All to try and make it open to more people.

Edinburgh’s our first run – we had a workshop performance last year, and will have a London preview at the Tête à Tête Festival. After that, we’re hoping that our Edinburgh shows will make people excited enough about the show to pick it up for a tour – fingers crossed!

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

It’s so hard to say before getting to Edinburgh! (I haven’t yet had time to read the whole programme) But:

If they love opera-y comedy where you’re there to have a good time, not contemplate sublime beauty and titter politely, you should definitely go and see Madame Chandelier’s Guide To The Opera. She’s fantastic, and we both share an ideal of opera that’s fun and for everyone, not something terribly intellectual you need to be super-educated to enjoy.

More generally, I love the Creative Martyrs’ brand of musical satire and comedy – I discovered that magnificent pair on my first time at the Fringe, and it really stood out. Definitely an influence on how I do musical comedy.

Adventurers Wanted do a great job boosting accessibility through their unique mix of tabletop gaming and theatre, which swings delightfully between silly comedy and some of the most beautiful character-led drama you’ll see at the Fringe. They really set the benchmark for me in terms of ‘shows should be accessible by default,’ and making me try much harder in my work since seeing theirs.

And if you want to see some opera, I’m hoping to see La Voix Humaine – it’s an amazing Poulenc opera I’ve never seen live, and has a few showings as part of the Fringe. I’m gutted to be missing the opera at the International Festival – but Eugene Onegin’s a good one for people who’ve never seen an opera before, and want to have a good time watching something beautiful.


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+3 Interview: Nick Elleray: Big Nick Energy

“I turned 50 and I hate it so, so much. I would appreciate the media’s respect of my privacy at this very difficult time.”

WHO: Nick Elleray, Writer/Performer

WHAT: “Nick Elleray brings the mellow thunder to the Fringe with a brand-new stand-up show with a great new zeitgeisty title that the kids will love. Where do you find joy in these grim times? Should you be asking Nick? Come along and find out. ‘Brilliant, astute observational comedy about middle-aged life’ (Adam Bloom). ‘A fine variety of cracking good jokes’ **** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Time and money spent on Nick Elleray is time and money well spent. He’s great’ **** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine).”

WHERE: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House – The Attic (Venue 170) 

WHEN: 12:45 (55 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my sixth year performing a show at the Fringe. Breaking that down, it means that I’ve spent approx. 0.66% of my life performing in Edinburgh. I figure if I keep at it, I can get that figure up to 0.75% or 0.8% before I die. Fingers crossed!

This is my third solo show. Three of the previous visits were split-bill shows where I performed with another act. It’s a double-edged sword, the split-bill show – yes, I want to share the shame and disappointment with a close friend, but the glory – oh, the glory – that’s all mine, thank you very much.

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

I turned 50 and I hate it so, so much. I would appreciate the media’s respect of my privacy at this very difficult time.

Tell us about your show.

Let me just say that without me, this show wouldn’t exist. I’m not saying I wrote, produced and perform it entirely by myself, but I’m also NOT not saying that*.

I hope I’m not giving away any industry secrets, but my production technique for producing a solo stand-up show is: write it, perform it a lot, try and make it good, repeat until August.

Special mention should go to Heidi Regan, who gave me the title; Alasdair Beckett-King, who designed the poster; and James Deacon, who took the promo photos for it.

* Okay, I am saying that.

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

The Delightful Sausage are on at the same time as me this year, so I can’t recommend them. A shame, because if we weren’t in direct competition for punters, I’d really big them up.


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+3 Interview: Harriet Braine: Les Admirables

“Time really flies! Seems only yesterday I was standing like a baby tree on the Debating Hall stage… so wooden and nervous.”

WHO: Harriet Braine, Performer

WHAT: “In this historical feminist coming-of-age musical comedy show, Harriet brings forth a team of rebellious women from the history of science to help her wage battle against ignorance, patriarchy and her inner demons. She also looks back over her career as a performer, from school plays to now, presenting her achievements alongside those of renowned inventors, healers and technological pioneers. Bold move, idiot. Funny Women Award winner and So You Think You’re Funny? finalist, 2016. Buxton Fringe Comedy Award winner 2017. ‘Marvellous’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Her lyrics were truly inspired’ (Bruce Dessau). ‘Fairly niche’ (Stylist).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon at Old Tolbooth Market – Top (Venue 98) 

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my third time doing a solo hour in Edinburgh, but my seventh or eighth time at the Fringe! (I lived in Edinburgh for five years – you can’t escape it). Last year and the year before I did shows with the free fringe and I had an amazing time, the year before, which would be 2016, I was up doing the semi-final and then the final of the So You Think You’re Funny? competition. Time really flies! Seems only yesterday I was standing like a baby tree on the Debating Hall stage… so wooden and nervous. Now this year I’m back once again to reminisce about my student days in Edinburgh, thinking about all the very non-prestigious things that I did during term-time in these prestigious venues. I don’t have to imagine audiences naked because I’ve seen worse.

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

I’ve written and recorded another series of a great podcast with Bec Hill and Dr Lucy Rogers, called The DesignSpark Podcast, which I’m very proud of. I’ve also performed overseas for the first time, in Sweden and Belgium, which is awesome! I’d like to get booked somewhere hot next, though (please).

Tell us about your show.

My show is a solo hour of musical comedy, I wrote it, it’s produced by Objectively Funny. We’re all pretty new to the collaborative process of creating a proper smasher of an Edinburgh show, but it’s great because I’ve got a wonderful group of people looking out for me, and I can focus on getting the show ready. I’m doing previews of the show all over the country, including four dates at Buxton Fringe (11-15 July), which has become an annual joy for me. I’m lucky enough to be taking this show to Lund Festival in Sweden after Edinburgh, and after that, who knows!

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

There are so many goodies to see at the Old Tolbooth Market (my venue buddies), including Isa Bonachera’s show about space, Archie Henderson’s show about jazz, Bad Aunts, a show about a group of older women who’ve gone totally rogue. Then there’s a few absolute titans of comedy like Rosie Jones, Jayde Adams and Sooz Kempner. And of course my podcast-mate Bec Hill whose show looks mad good. I never really see improv outside of the Fringe either so I’ll be having me some of that – Austentatious and Spontaneous Potter are top of that list. Then there’s my favourite theatre people too – Xnthony’s Confirmation is a must-see, and, for the pretentious arty kids out there like me, anything and everything at Summerhall.


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+3 Interview: Tania Edwards: Don’t Mention It

“I tell jokes about domestic bliss – and sometimes I tell the truth.”

WHO: Tania Edwards, Performer

WHAT: “Amused Moose Best Fringe Show 2018 winner. Award-winning stand-up comedian Tania Edwards explores these emotionally incontinent times and explains why it’s imperative to repress our emotions. But just how easy is it to be bashful and brazen, coy and courageous (and make sure everyone notices)? ‘A dark, dry and hilarious show’ ***** (VoiceMag.uk). ‘Cuts daggers with sharp one-liners’ (Glamour).”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 2 (Venue 515) 

WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been clocking in at the dream factory since accommodation was cheap. I’ve gigged off the beaten track, down piss-soaked alleys, and in an elusive basement at noon where before each performance the bar staff evicted anyone who wasn’t carrying ID – most people at lunchtime – it was a challenge. This year I’m at Monkey Barrel which is fantastic.

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

Joining The Cutting Edge team at The Comedy Store. And having a baby… I’m discreetly knocking them out between Edinburgh shows.

Tell us about your show.

I’m a stand up. I tell jokes about domestic bliss – and sometimes I tell the truth. More generally it’s about my struggle to be a narcissist in the current climate. Everyone’s so self-obsessed these days it’s almost impossible to be the biggest dick in the room.

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

If you’re a punter and you want to have fun – definitely more stand up – Candy Gigi Markham, Danny Ward, Luke McQueen, Tiff Stevenson, Lou Sanders, to name a few. If you’re an act and you want to crack the fringe – look out for anyone crying into their pint – find out where they’ve gone wrong and try to avoid making the same mistakes.


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+3 Interview: The Official Edinburgh Fringe Christmas Show

“I’ll be telling the story of my Christmas Fundamentalist upbringing through the medium of character comedy.”

WHO: Richard Duffy, Performer

WHAT: “Richard Duffy has been celebrating Christmas every day since the day he was born. Come witness his mental breakdown… live! One third of critically acclaimed sketch group Planet Caramel goes rogue to tell the story of how he escaped his Christmas fundamentalist upbringing. Expect lots of jokes about Christmas, Christmas themed characters and interactive Christmas experiences. Praise for Planet Caramel: ‘Bright and witty… fast-paced, energetic and wonderfully silly’ ***** (EdFringeReview.com). ‘Glimmers of comedy genius… genuinely new and presciently funny’ (ThreeWeeks).”

WHERE: Champions of Festival @ The Scotsman – Drawing Room (Venue 445) 

WHEN: 15:20 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve performed in every Fringe since 2011 (and also live in Edinburgh) but this is my first time as a solo performer. You might recognise me as the “tall one with the hair” from intergalactic sketch trio Planet Caramel or, if you’ve got a really good memory, as the “tall one with the hair” from slightly less intergalactic sketch trio We’ve Become Mango.

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

I’ve come out as a Christmas Fundamentalist, which means I celebrate Christmas every day. My friends and family have been really supportive which is why I felt compelled to bring this show to the Fringe this year.

Tell us about your show.

You can view the show as a sort of recruitment drive for the Christmas Fundamentalist movement. I’ll be telling the story of my Christmas Fundamentalist upbringing through the medium of character comedy. Imagine the largest amount of Christmas you can fit into one hour and then multiply it by Christmas.

The organisation plans to recruit between 400,000 and and 450,000 new Christmas Fundamentalists during the festival then I will be embarking upon a 5 year long world tour of 365 cities with the aim of recruiting the remaining world population.

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

Although my show is the Official Edinburgh Fringe Christmas Show, there are other shows this year which seem to feature Christmas quite heavily. I can recommend Sleeping Trees: Christmas Special… in August as well as The Hollywood Summer Christmas Show. Jared Christmas: A Funny Hour does seem like it should be about Christmas but I think this might be some false advertising. I can confirm he is a very good non-Christmas stand-up though!


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+3 Interview: And the Birds Did Sing

“Our Fringe run will be the premiere…”

WHO: Christine Devaney, Artistic director, writer, performer

WHAT: “This is about living but it began with a death. This is about existing and not existing, and a child’s heart-bursting belief that there is something in between. This is about love. A woman remembers a girl who knew a woman who listened to the birds. Inspired by the depth of feeling in one tiny moment of knowing that the world will never be the same again, this evocative solo work, a collaboration between choreographer Christine Devaney, musician Luke Sutherland and artist Yvonne Buskie, explores the interplay between music, dance and the origins of stories.”

WHERE: Dance Base – Studio 1(Venue 22) 

WHEN: 14:15 (40 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No – we have done a number of Fringe shows over the past decade, include our award-winning production of found in 2009 which scooped a Fringe First. Our 2018 production, MamaBabaMe, a co-production with Starcatchers, received the coveted Fringe Sell-Out Show accolade.

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

We’ve recently premiered We Are All Just Little Creatures at the Traverse Theatre, our co-production with Lung Ha Theatre Company in association with Lyra; and we’re planning international tour dates for MamaBabaMe after its successful 2018 Fringe run.

Tell us about your show.

Our Fringe run will be the premiere – it’s a piece that tells the story of a woman who remembers a girl who knew a woman who listened to the birds.

It’s written and performed by the choreographer, Christine Devaney (Artistic Director of Curious Seed) and was inspired by the depth of feeling in those tiny moments of knowing that the world will never be the same again.
It is a solo work that has been developed through the ongoing collaboration between choreographer Christine, musician Luke Sutherland and artist Yvonne Buskie, exploring the connections and interplay between music, dance and the origins of stories.

Beyond that it’s is part of a larger project called Moving Monologues which Curious Seed will produce in the future.
We currently have no plans to tour it after the Fringe – so seize the chance to see it while you can.

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

Hard to be Soft: A Belfast Prayer – Oona Doherty; Before – Fishamble; Juliet & Romeo – Lost Dog.


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