Category Archives: *Written Interviews

From time to time we encounter an artist or producer toiling away at something pretty special. Here’s what they have to say, in their own words, about their work.

EdFringe Talk: Ian Smith: Crushing

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I was told by my dentist that I grind my teeth and 4 months after that I went to Slovakia with my hairdresser and drove over a car in a tank (after 30 minutes of smashing it with big hammers).”

WHO: Ian Smith

WHAT: “Multi award-winning comedian Ian Smith (BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and co-host of the Northern News podcast) presents a new show about stress, love and driving a tank with your hairdresser. Amused Moose Comedy Award and ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award Winner 2017. British Comedy Guide Recommended 2018 and 2019. ‘Catch him now before his inevitable jump to the big time’ (Telegraph). ‘An effortlessly brilliant stand-up show’ **** (Scotsman). ‘A riot of sprightly silliness’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘One of the best you will see at the festival’ ***** (Mirror).”

WHERE: Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron) – The Tron (Venue 51) 

WHEN: 13:35 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No – this is my seventh solo show and my tenth full run at the Fringe! I’ve been going long enough to discover the best shortbread shop ever and then see that shortbread shop close down, which makes me feel old. I love the Fringe so much, and as soon as it’s done I’m thinking about what I want to do there next.

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

I think I’m very good at learning a lesson – but then not putting any of it into practice. Especially when it comes to meaningful life lessons. So, what I will say, is that I learnt the best way to roast a full broccoli. Get it in a big tray with a little bit of water in, just a little, which helps keep it moist while still giving it a roasted texture. Is this selling my Edinburgh show?

Tell us about your show.

This is a stand-up show written and performed by me – it’s about stress, but in a very silly way. I was told by my dentist that I grind my teeth and 4 months after that I went to Slovakia with my hairdresser and drove over a car in a tank (after 30 minutes of smashing it with big hammers). So I guess it’s up to you and the audience to decide whether I’ve de-stressed or got worse. Edinburgh will be it’s premier and I’ll be touring it around the UK in early 2024.

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

I’m very excited to see John Kearns’ The Varnishing Days at Monkey Barrel – I saw an early work in progress and it was already so funny and his shows always find a way to be incredibly silly and laugh out loud funny while still being really beautiful and profound.

I’ve also already seen a few previews of Pierre Novellie’s show and it is great, as usual. I’m excited to see Jonny Pelham too because he is a funny, funny man – and Tamsyn Kelly’s debut show will be very good.

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EdFringe Talk: Macbeth by the Sea

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“I enjoy sharing my work and the rest of the time I am a big ol’ sponge sopping up the energy and creativity. I love it!”

WHO: Joe Janes

WHAT: “The Macbeths have killed King Duncan and taken over his kingdom. Now it’s time to party – except for Banquo’s battered spirit showing up and ruining everything. Lady Macbeth is worried her husband’s guilty hallucinations will doom their tenure as royalty. She orders they go away for the weekend at a seaside resort to get their heads on straight. Try as they might to loose the shackles of their evil deeds with couples massages, karaoke, and vacation friends – a certain trio of witches aren’t far behind.”

WHERE: theSpace on the Mile – Space 2 (Venue 39) 

WHEN: 16:05 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my fourth Fringe. The first was in the mid-90s with a show called The Armageddon Radio Hour. Cut to 2017 with Our Christian Nation and 2019 with The Greatest Theatrical Event…EVER!. What I enjoy most about the festival is meeting other folks performing in the venue. I’m still in touch with people I have met and connected with at each Fringe, including pre-internet 90s! Competing with that is my joy of discovery. Discovering new shows, new actors, clowns, comedians, and experiences. I enjoy sharing my work and the rest of the time I am a big ol’ sponge sopping up the energy and creativity. I love it!

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

I have been fortunate enough to always be involved with quality shows so most of my lessons are logistical. The time slot is important. For our last show, we thought if we had a prime time slot, people would take us seriously. We were just a small show from Chicago in an obscure location and it was difficult to get any reviewers to come see us. They were all busy seeing A-List shows. This year, we are in an easy-to-find location right off the Mile and our slot is in the afternoon after lunch and before dinner. Flyering can be grueling for a small cast, so we have some folks coming just to support us with promotion.

Tell us about your show.

The show is some crazy Shakespeare fan fiction that throws Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into a Twilight Zone weekend getaway whilst skewering the bard. Our shows always have one foot in theatre and one foot in sketch comedy and another weird oversized foot in clowning. Also, stop staring at our feet!

I wrote it and it is being produced by the team. We all paid for our own airfare and are all pitching in for all the other expenses. We’re all friends who have known one another for years. Most of us teach at Columbia College Chicago. Going back to the Fringe wasn’t on our radar a year ago. It just came up in conversation and I had an idea about the Porter from Macbeth I always wanted to explore.

We’re doing four previews in Chicago before we bring it over. The tricky part about comedies is that you don’t know how much laughter will affect the length of your show. We don’t want to be the jerks whose show runs long in a tightly scheduled venue.

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

Well, there are many improv shows I’m excited to see – Improv Cage Match, Sheila’s Sister, Batsui, and Spontaneous Potter, to name a few. I love physical theater and clowning, so Aloft Presents Sanctuary and My Last Two Brain Cells are on my list. I’ll also check out some Shakespeare like The Handlebards and Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters.

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EdFringe Talk: Too Big For Her Britches

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“I never wanted to spoon feed my audience about how to feel. Sometimes the characters respond completely opposite of what you’d expect. That’s real life. It’s unpredictable.”

WHO: Lisa Pezik

WHAT: “A hilarious and heartbreaking dark comedy driven by 20 characters and 11 original songs, in which the heroine, Luna, endeavours to disentangle herself from bad decisions and an overbearing, narcissistic mother. A compelling rollercoaster of emotions, Too Big for Her Britches will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost, unimportant, or disregarded. A one-woman solo musical that answers the question: what happens when we stop hoping for the storybook ending by honouring our father and mother at all costs, and instead make the courageous decision to honour ourselves?”

WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Studio (Venue 117) 

WHEN: VARIES (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Although we’ve traveled from Canada to perform in Hollywood and Off-Broadway in New York City, this is our first time in Edinburgh. I say we, as my husband and 9-year-old son travel everywhere with me. The show may be solo, but I’m not alone! I’m incredibly excited to showcase this deeply personal, mostly autobiographical story in Edinburgh. I believe that narcissism, shame, and being told we’re too much, too big, too bossy, too loud, too small, too sensitive, etc is a cross cultural conversation and after workshopping in for the past year, I feel ready to be seen in Edinburgh! I believe Edinburgh Fringe is the launching pad for great work, necessary conversation, and the celebration of creativity. It’s like the Super Bowl, Grey Cup, World Cup of theatre! It’s right where I want to be! And my family and I are excited to check out all the sights, delights, and food. My son is very excited at the idea of flyering and telling everyone about “my mom’s show” as we work together as a team. My creative team and I were very intentional from a writing, directing, producing, singing, and movement perspective to encompass this story of the strength of the human spirit.

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

I believe that good theatre makes you think and in humanizing villains, and seeing the hero’s faults, it makes the story real. I never wanted to spoon feed my audience about how to feel. Sometimes the characters respond completely opposite of what you’d expect. That’s real life. It’s unpredictable. I also wasn’t set on tying everything up in a bow and giving my story a happy ending. That’s not always the truth of narcissism, dysfunctional families, and mental health. It’s a continuum. Healing isn’t linear. It’s mixed with amazing decisions and awful days. I’ve learned that my story is going to evoke real emotions from people and that’s good. They laugh hysterically one moment and deeply cry the next and when we have the courage to “go there, ” it helps others be seen, validated, and heard. Lastly, I learned there is a cost when you vulnerably and powerfully share. When you’re on the other side of healing and you go back to the dark days of the character. Self-care is a must. No one wants you to vomit your vulnerabilities to them on stage and that takes work to perform from a healed, whole, powerful way. Self care will be a huge part of my experience in Edinburgh performing a full fun and 20 shows.

Tell us about your show.

My show was created, written, and acted by me, Lisa Pezik! It completely transformed when I started working with movement and acting coach, Jean-Louis Rodrigue. He’s helped Margo Robbie, Ke Huy Quan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves. The music is co-written and composed with Drew Lawrence, a multiplatinum songwriter and producer who has worked with Leah Michelle and co-wrote the song Jar of Heart with Christina Perri. My director is Heather Dowling, an award winning solo theatre actor, director, and co-creator of Down the Middle. For Edinburgh, we chose to self-produce. The show was previously produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson of Soaring Solo LLC. During pandemic, I was in a business mastermind group and we were given the challenge to come up with a 10 year plan and execute on it. As the world was shutting down, I decided to go inward and write a one woman musical with the goal to get on Broadway. I had never acted, sang, or wrote before. It presented a huge and fun learning cure. Instead of trying to figure it out on my own, I started searching for the best to help me bring my vision to life. Though my group, I was able to find this dream team and I’ve been able to take the show to Hollywood, Hamilton Ontario Canada and Off-Broadway in New York City where it’s won multiple awards. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not working on my craft and presenting the most powerful performance of this show. After Edinburgh I hope to tour and to connect with mental health agencies to put on a workshop where I perform the show and teach about how to live a regret free life.

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

I’ve developed a tight night circle of friends in this “band camp” of theatre that is Fringe. My top recommendations are: Rise by Diana Varco. Asexuality by Becca McGlynn, Breed or Bust by Joyful Raven, A Terrible Show for Terrible People by Bonnie He, Hollywoodn’t by Lisa Verlo, A Shark Ate My Penis by Laser Webber, Break up Addict by Paige Wilhide, and Wendy My Darling by April Wade Wish.

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EdFringe Talk: Wendy, My Darling

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“The second lesson of the show, for me personally, is learning how to let my daughter grow up.”

WHO: April Wish …but I answer to Wendy lately

WHAT: “Following her return from Neverland, Wendy Darling, now grown-up, moves to Hollywood to become a writer. This modern take on the classic story of Peter Pan features a captivating score and non-stop multimedia with celebrity video appearances by Jon Cryer (Pretty in Pink, Two and a Half Men) and Busy Philipps (Freaks and Geeks). Wendy, a charming, potty-mouthed mother to a tweenager, finds herself stuck in a ‘creative death spiral’. Topical, heartfelt and hilarious, Wendy is ‘…a voice for all women who found out hard truths about the real world as they grew up’ (Orlando Sentinel).”

WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Stephenson Theatre (Venue 53) 

WHEN: 17:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Coming from Los Angeles, I’ve known more than a few people who have been to Ed Fringe and they all say the same thing, almost verbatim: it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done, grueling, emotional, expensive, terrifying. And that they can’t wait to go back next year.
As an artist myself, I know that this is code for it being a big experience with big feelings, and I want in on it. It will be my first year at the Big Show and I’m coming in with my mind – and heart – wide open.

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

Oh, I LOVE this question! As a writer, so much of my personal story has ended up in this show and I believe that if I say the words out loud in front of other humans enough times, it will eventually click. Wendy, My Darling has a few key lessons for me and, no, I don’t believe I’ve fully learned them. The most obvious lesson is one that our main character’s best friend speaks freely and frequently about: giving less fucks. I’m not sure I will ever achieve zero fucks given, but I have learned to give at least a few less as I get (a little!) older. The second lesson of the show, for me personally, is learning how to let my daughter grow up. As “mommy adventures” become replaced by sleepovers with her friends and her morning cartoons turn to trashy teen sitcoms, I am working to find the magic and joy in our changing relationship…and that’s just not easy for me, a girl that never really did grow up (it’s why I do theatre!).

Tell us about your show.

Tammy Glover, a television producer and musician (toured with Sparks for many years) wrote her first solo Indie Rock album in the middle of the pandemic. She had seen my first one woman show the year before and wanted the album to inspire and become a companion to another art form: theatre. Her creative mission and mine completely aligned – to raise up female voices and stories. We brought on Krysia Plonka, who resonated with our message and has added a great deal of depth to the show, as well as bringing on some notable talent. Jon Cryer and Busy Philipps recorded their roles within the same week, we crafted the show in a few months, and we have been racing around Canada and the US with it, refining and solidifying as we go. We will be launching the World Premiere, the result of nearly 9 months of previews and editing, at Ed Fringe this year. We are looking forward to exploring the many forms this story can take following the fringe, as we have an eye on an international tour as well.

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

I want to take this opportunity to shout out F-Bomb Theatre (www.fbombtheatre.co.uk) for putting together FemiFringe, an entire program dedicated to feminist theatre. I hope that audiences will show that, when women are given a voice, they will go and listen. Maybe one day Hollywood will take notice and give us all more than superhero movies or murder shows. I also want to mention that at least a dozen solo theatre artists from Los Angeles have been chatting away for months now, talking though details, sharing links and ideas and generally helping to lift each other up. Please consider: Rise and Hollywouldn’t.

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EdFringe Talk: Tim Murray is Witches

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“Edinburgh is a magical place. I describe it as your first week of college meets the first time you go to New York City.”

WHO: Tim Murray: Writer/performer

WHAT: “From The Craft to Wicked to Hocus Pocus, Murray will have you howling at the moon in a tribute to queerness and how we discover our powers once we find our coven. Witches is an hour of stand-up, original comedy songs, drag and also, he flies. Okay, not really, but wouldn’t that be sickening? Murray can be seen on The Other Two, Swan Song starring Jennifer Coolidge, and all over TikTok with his viral comedy videos. His new sketch-comedy TV show Wish You Were Queer produced by Trixie Mattel will debut in 2024.”

WHERE: Underbelly, Bristo Square – The Dairy Room (Venue 302) 

WHEN: 21:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my third time at the fringe but my first time brining my own show for the entire month! I performed in Voldemort the musical and Thrones the musical (with my Baby Wants Candy friends) in 2018 and 2019 and I did some of my stand up on other shows those years. Edinburgh is a magical place. I describe it as your first week of college meets the first time you go to New York City and see so many posters for live theatre meets gay summer camp!

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

Care less what anybody else thinks of you or your art. The more I focus on what I want to do and worry less about how others will perceive my comedy the more traction I have gotten doing stand-up and making viral videos on the internet.

Tell us about your show.

My show is a Bo Burnam style comedy show with music about my favorite witches. It’s a love letter to queerness and why LGBTQ people feel connected to The Sanderson Sisters, The Craft, The Wicked Witch of the West and so many more. It’s very unique and very strange and I think very special. I wrote the stand up jokes and the lyrics. The music is written by Henry Koperski, Zach Reino and Matthew Patrick Davis. The show is produced by Wild Park Entertainment and Al Samuels (of Baby Wants Candy.) I did do the show five times in October of last year in cities in the United States and I will be touring the show again in the fall after Edinburgh to 13 different cities!

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

Chris Grace’s show Chris Grace as Scarlett Johansson is one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen. Chris and I did 50 Shades the Musical together off Broadway and we tour together doing stand up. He’s one of the funniest people on the planet and fringe audiences will recognize him from his many years doing Baby Wants Candy. Also check out Katy Berry’s Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy and Sophie Santos’ Co-Dependent. Plus Patti Harrison’s show! They’re all unbelievably funny comedians.

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EdFringe Talk: Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson

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“2022 was the first Edfringe where I only came for part of the month, and I really disliked it. I felt like just when I had gotten my festival legs under me it was time to go home..”

WHO: Chris Grace: Creator/Performer

WHAT: “Chris Grace, Chinese-American character best known for playing Jerry on Superstore, portrays the greatest living Asian actor Scarlett Johansson through comedy, theatre, stand-up and the music of Tom Waits. ‘I hereby endorse Chris Grace’ (Dr Brown). ‘If you’re cool like me, you will love Chris Grace’ (Ed Gamble). ‘A must see!’ (Kristen Schaal).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Five (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 13:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my TENTH Edfringe! My Augusts in Scotland are the most inspiring, exhausting, and exhilarating times of my creative life. The sheer quantity of shows means there is something for every interest. There is nothing like this festival anywhere in the world. I’ll come back every year if I can!

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

2022 was the first Edfringe where I only came for part of the month, and I really disliked it. I felt like just when I had gotten my festival legs under me it was time to go home, and the feeling of building word-of-mouth, and learning through chatter which shows were the ones to see, combined with the FOMO of everyone’s joyous photos still showing up in the group WhatsApp chat once I was home… it all combined in a way that led to me coming back for the full month in 2023.

Tell us about your show.

My show is a biographical tribute to Scarlett Johansson, written by me, and co-produced with Baby Wants Candy. This has been a show that’s been rattling around in my head for years but I finally took the leap this year to create it, and Baby Wants Candy generously came on-board to co-produce it as the first solo show they’ve ever put forth. I plan on doing a run in New York and Los Angeles after the festival!

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

I always recommend folks, especially Americans, to go see circuses, clowns, and stand-up comics that never make it to the US. My top picks would be Jordan Brookes, Mr Chonkers, Circa, Nassim, Robin Tran, Jonny & the Baptists, and any of the Darkfield shipping container shows. This year I’m excited to see John-Luke Roberts who all of my friends have raved about, and Connor Ratliff is bringing a whole set of shows that I’m looking forward to. Finally, I recommend typing an interest into the Edfringe search and seeing some shows that you have no connection to or information about… some of my most treasured memories of Fringe come from that. For example I always type in “Gaulier” and see any shows that come from that clown tradition. You’re bound to see something absolutely amazing, or amazingly terrible, but you won’t forget it!

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EdFringe Talk: Phil Green: Four Weddings and a Breakdown

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“I look at the generational influences on older millennials/young Gen X and how the internet came along and altered our worldview halfway through our lives.”

WHO: Phil Green: Writer and performer

WHAT: “After attending four weddings from four different generations last year, Phil finally figures out the reasons behind his breakdown a decade ago. Following a sell-out debut at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an Amused Moose Best Show Comedy Award nomination, and a sold-out night at London’s Soho Theatre, Phil now brings us his highly personal new show. Are millennials the last generation to be trapped by parental expectation? Did the internet make or break us? Is a midlife crisis really even a crisis? As heard on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.”

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

WHEN: 14:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my second Edinburgh solo stand-up show following a sell out debut last year. There are many great comedy festivals in the UK now with new ones emerging all the time, but the sheer scale of Edinburgh is what makes it special. Walking down the Royal Mile seeing performers from all over the world promoting their shows is amazing, even if it is like running a flyering gauntlet!

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

That’s it’s ok to get personal on stage, in fact, it’s quite liberating. I still enjoy doing silly material (and there is plenty of that in my show), but audiences really seem to connect with a personal story. Also Red Bull does not cure hangovers. Even the bigger cans. They are just setting you up for an even bigger comedown. I have not learnt this lesson.

Tell us about your show.

My show is all about making sense of a breakdown about 10 years ago. I look at the generational influences on older millennials/young Gen X and how the internet came along and altered our worldview halfway through our lives. I’m currently previewing it all over the country in places like Manchester, Buxton, Norwich and Newcastle as well as a few London dates.

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

Definitely check out the debut stand-up shows of Kuan-Wen Huang, Louise Atkinson and Kathryn Mather. Also, if you want to see something completely bonkers and brilliant go see Stephen Catling’s show for a unique take on the experiences of an autistic person in a conventional workplace. I’d also recommend Grubby Little Mitts who are a wonderfully funny off-the-wall sketch duo.

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“He excelled as a military leader!” – Author Simon Elliot talks about ‘Pertinax’

Posted in *Written Interviews, Books & Film by

“Being worthy can come at a cost!”

WHAT: Born in Italy, the son of a freed slave, his early years were spent in obscurity. After earning his living as a teacher, Publius Helvius Pertinax would undergo one of history’s most successful professional reincarnations. With the support of influential patrons, he joined the Roman legions rising through the ranks along the cursus honorum, in a spectacular career which included senior commands from Syria to Brittania as well as key civil and military postings in between.

Pertinax was last confidant and friend of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius to survive the tumultuous and violent rule of the philosopher/statesman’s son, Commodus, who was killed in a palace coup on 31 December 192. Then serving as Urban Prefect of Rome, Pertinax found himself in the right place at the right time to unwillingly don the purple, yet his reign would last for just three months in before he too was assainated, this time by the rapacious and unruly Praetorian guards.

“Is Rome worth one good man’s life?” asks Connie Nielsen as she stands over the fresh corpses of Russell Crowe (as Maximus) and Joaquin Phoenix (as Commodus) at the end of Gladiator. “We believed it once. Make us believe it again.” Step up, step forward Derek Jacobi wearing Pertinax’s beard and less of Claudius’ drool.

Gibbon narrates the election of the Roman Emperor Pertinax with more precision than Ridley Scott, though with no less drama. “The measures of the conspirators were conducted with the deliberate coolness and celerity which the greatness of the occasion required. They resolved instantly to fill the vacant throne with an emperor whose character would justify and maintain the action that had been committed. They fixed on Pertinax, prefect of the city, an ancient senator of rank, whose conspicuous merit had broke through the obscurity of his birth, and raised him to the first honours of the state.”

Macchiavelli would write of Pertinax, “hatred is acquired as much by good works as by bad ones, therefore, as I said before, a prince wishing to keep his state is very often forced to do evil; for when that body is corrupt whom you think you have need of to maintain yourself—it may be either the people or the soldiers or the nobles—you have to submit to its humours and to gratify them, and then good works will do you harm.”

In Pertinax: The Son of a Slave Who Became Roman Emperor Simon Elliott brings together the threads of this remarkable life, setting a stage set at the high noon of Rome’s imperial power and prestige. The portrait that emerges is a flash of lightning which illuminates much of the moment and the man as it and he was, whilst also illustrating why Pertinax has been so much admired down the interveening centuries.

WHO: “Simon Elliott is an historian, archaeologist, author and broadcaster based in Kent. In 2017 he completed his PhD at the University of Kent in Archaeology, where he studied the military presence in Britain during the Roman occupation with a particular focus on the Classis Britannica regional fleet. Simon is now an Honorary Research Fellow at the University. He has a Masters Degree in War Studies from KCL and a Masters Degree in Archaeology from UCL, both completed part-time in the past decade and an original BSc in History and Politics.”

MORE? Here!

Why Pertinax?

I have great interest in the emperor Septimius Severus who ruled at the height of the empire’s power in my opinion. He also launched the last, but ultimately failed, campaigns to conquer the far north of Britain (now the region of modern Scotland) in AD 209 and AD 210, before dying in York in February AD 211. Severus was the ultimate victor in the Year of the Five Emperors in AD 193, with the first incumbent being Publius Helvius Pertinax. The more I studied this emperor the more fascinated I became, he the son of a manumitted slave who eventually rose through hard work, grit and diligence to become the emperor. He was also Severus’ mentor throughout much of his life.

What’s the one thing everyone should know about Pertinax?

That he was initially a Grammaticus teacher until his mid 30s when he suddenly decided to join the military out of knowhere, then rising through the ranks to become the most senior trouble shooter in the empire for the great Marcus Aurelius and mad and bad Commodus.

How did Pertinax feature in the minds of later generations down to our own time?

In the Roman world through to late antiquity, and even later, he was as famous as Julius Caesar or Augustus. The man who had risen from the bottom of Roman society all the way to the top. Further, in standing up to the Praetorian Guard when they demanded he pay them off, he upheld the highest of Roman ideals of worthy leadership. That this cost him his life only added to his contemporary fame. Since then, certainly from the 18th century, he has been used as an example of the worthy ruler, willing to stand up for his beliefs, even if at the cost to his own life.

Without his own legions to overpower hostile local power structures in Rome (including the Praetorians), could Pertinax have ever been anything more than a caretaker emperor?

I actually think Pertinax became emperor because of his standing as a civil leader, being the right man in the right place as city prefect at the point when Commodus was killed. Indeed, he could have called on his loyal legions to support him in power at any time but chose not to do so, making him vulnerable to the Praetorians. Being worthy can come at a cost!

A month on campaign / assignment with Pertinax; a long weekend with him at his country retreat; or a day in the Library of Alexandria – which appeals most?

Oh a month on campaign definitely, and north of the Danube against the Marcomanni in enemy territory. He excelled as a military leader!

If you could own one object described in the book what are you having and why?

An original copy of the Historia Augusta, one of the key primary texts for the period, in the hope I might find out who wrote it!!!

Clearly, Pertinax is overdue the attentions of a novelist. They’re all waiting outside your office to be interviewed for the job. Rosemary Sutcliffe, Gore Vidal, Robert Graves, Margaret George etc. Who are you picking and why?

Blimey they are all amazing. But for me Rosemary Sutcliffe given she was such an inspiration for my love of all things Roman!

If you could ask Pertinax one question what would it be, and what would you expect his answer to be?

Why oh why oh why oh why didn’t you call out your personal guard when you heard the Praetorians were on their way to the palace to confront you! And he would answer…because I thought they would listen to reason from such a seasoned veteran.

What’s the one primary source on Pertinax you know in your heart once existed, but which has been lost? What could it tell us?

Difficult to say given we probably have less than 5% of anything ever written about Pertinax from the classical world, and maybe even less!

What are you currently working on?

Proofreading Great Battles of Early Imperial Rome thru Pen & Sword out in November, and writing Vandal Heaven, my brand new take on post-Roman North Africa after my extensive travels there, this for Casemate Publishing.

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Agnes

Posted in *Written Interviews, Bedfringe 2023 by

“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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