Tag Archives: Bedfringe

Bedfringe 2023 Interview: The Geneva Convention of Human F**Ks

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“Marina, the other half of Yet To Be, has always raved about Bedfringe having performed here loads of times with her old company O&O so I am really excited to have my first taste of it.”

WHO: Charlie Whitworth

WHAT: “Performed exclusively by women, this bold and uncompromising production takes audiences on a wild journey as three men embark on a sex tour across Europe, delving into the ethics of their actions and confronting various societal issues head-on.As the trio navigates ethical dilemmas surrounding prostitution, the #metoo movement, sex trafficking, and even global warming, audiences are in for a thought-provoking ride.

Brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience that will challenge your perceptions and make you consider whether you should laugh or cry.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 26 July 2023 @ 18:30 (60mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

For me, it will be… but it shouldn’t! Yet To be were meant to bring this show “The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks” last year and had to cancel at the very last minute due to Covid. We were gutted a year ago… so we are completely chuffed we are able to bring the show this time around instead.

Marina, the other half of Yet To Be, has always raved about Bedfringe having performed here loads of times with her old company O&O so I am really excited to have my first taste of it.

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

Many things. We have got a new show called “Free Will & Other Myths” which is in development at the moment and “Geneva” is just starting to tour. Bedfringe is the second date in a tour that takes in a fair few dates between now and October, with more being booked in all the time. I guess the main thing we have learnt over the last 12 months is that you can never fully predict or plan for everything that life will throw at you and that it is important to remember that things will work out one way or another… because they have to.

Tell us about your show.

“The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks” is a darkly comic and full-on hour exploring themes like Lad Culture, Toxic Masculinity and Sex Tourism. There is a lot of misogyny on stage in the show and it pulls no punches… and it is why having a cast of three amazing women playing the parts of Michael, Liam and Peter is so key to making the show work.

Come see the show to have your perceptions challenged; to see people on stage and not a bunch of character stereotypes; to laugh and groan and reflect.

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

You should go and see the lovely folk at Ricochet Theatre and their new show “Agnes”. Not only are they a super bunch but they have also won the “Pick of the Fringe” award before so they are super talented too.

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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)

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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)

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Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

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

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

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

Tell us about your show.

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

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

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

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Dimensions

Posted in *Written Interviews, Bedfringe 2023 by

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

WHO: Nisha Vyas-Myall: Director and Principal Choreographer

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

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

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

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

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

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

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

Tell us about your show.

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

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

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

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Life Under The Sun

Posted in Bedfringe 2023 by

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

WHO: Stephen Bathurst

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

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

King Solomon was a man who had it all…

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

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

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

WHAT WE SAID IN 2022: Click Here!

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Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

Third time out for me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tell us about your show.

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

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

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

Blackadder meets the Bible is a good description…

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

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

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

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: The Evil Bat!

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“Come see Vincent Price at his malevolent best.”

WHO: Jason Frederick: Composer / Performer

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

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

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

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

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

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

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tell us about your show.

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

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

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

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

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

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: Sparky TKO: Neuropop

Posted in Bedfringe, Bedfringe 2023 by

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

WHO: Sparky TKO: Performer + writer + producer

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

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

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

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

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

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

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

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

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

Tell us about your show.

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

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

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

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

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Bedfringe 2023 Interview: A Caravan Named Desire

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

WHO: Alexander Millington: Writer / Performer

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

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

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

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

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

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

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is our second time at Bedfringe!

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

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

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

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

Tell us about your show.

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

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

Supported by Arts Council England.

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

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

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‘Jon Courtenay: Against The Odds’ (Bedfringe, 29 July 2022)

Posted in 5*, Bedfringe 2022 by

“He’s got to carry on like nothing is going on and he isn’t undergoing treatment.”

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars (Outstanding)

Jon Courtenay is a British singer, comedian, and entertainer who also has the gift of being a pianist. He’s was the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2020. In fact, did you know that Jon is the first ever golden buzzer winner to win BGT. [For those of you who still call ITV ‘The Other Side’, The Golden Buzzer is where the judges or Ant and Dec can push the Buzzer to put the contestant through to the live finals.]

Jon’s appearance at The Bedford Fringe was with his Edinburgh Fringe preview show AGAINST THE ODDS. The scene is set where it all starts, with his auditioning for BGT. During the next few months Jon keeps a big secret away from BGT, and the media, which is going to make a impact on his life.

The story is really POWERFUL and it’s one that really deserves to be heard. It’s all about a mole that appears on the side of his head which was eventually diagnosed as being cancer. Yet Jon can’t stop now that he’s reached the top. He’s got to carry on like nothing is going on and he isn’t undergoing treatment.

Jon’s show flows throughout and his gifted ability to perform is one that can’t be missed. You can really see how much Jon loves live audiences and the BUZZ he gets from entertaining. The way in which he turns the story in to comedy and music is very clever. The show’s opening song is his auditioning song called ‘The Third Person’ and each number that follows tells the story of what was going on behind the scenes.

This personal story told by Jon REALLY did make an impact on me. It was thought-provoking to me as to the importance of being checked out early with any health concerns. LIFE is valuable, LIFE is Important and LIFE is also to ENJOY which is what I’m doing.

That was an outstanding show, please go and see it at The Edinburgh Fringe you’re in for a great time.

This review was authored by Graeme Scott.

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Bedfringe 2022 Interview: Infants

Posted in *Written Interviews, Bedfringe 2022 by

“Getting it back on stage was hard – really hard – there were some real logistical (not to mention mental) barriers to embarking on a process we had already been through once, with a kind of anxiety-driven paranoia that having been halted already it could so easily hit problems again.”

WHO: James Lark: Writer/performer

WHAT: “James Lark’s (Tony Blair the Musical, The Snow Spider) new musical promises tantrums and disasters, naughty words and naughty characters but after a single calamitous day, we can’t guarantee that everyone will be coming back to school tomorrow…

Class 3 are on the brink of disaster: tactile Drew is a safeguarding hazard, Chloe’s obsession with Ryan threatens her friendship with queen bee Kaylee, and a noxious misunderstanding threatens the career of teacher Mr Finch. It’s just as well mobile phones aren’t allowed in school – the parents couldn’t possibly find out, could they?”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This is the first time I’ve had my own show at Bedfringe, though when I lived in Bedford (many, many years ago) I was a regular in the audience and saw some incredible shows. I was once – even more many years ago – a frequent visitor to the Edinburgh Fringe, both as performer and spectator (and of course the two things go hand in hand, as I think it’s very much the point of festivals to be able to experience and soak up other people’s work at the same time as developing your own) – so at a time when my career and the other complexities of Being A Grown Up were starting to make spending a whole month in Edinburgh kinda impractical, it was brilliant to discover I lived in a place that had its own opportunity to see a lot of the people who were heading up to Edinburgh themselves. And Bedfringe has a great atmosphere because it’s fuelled by genuine enthusiasm for the shows they have on – the people running it are probably the most enthusiastic audience members of all, in fact – and it’s hardly surprising, I mean look at the range and calibre of the stuff they’re featuring.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2021 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

It has been a funny couple of years. And I don’t mean funny in a way that I got to laugh at much. ‘Infants’ was meant to get its premiere in 2020, and things were pretty well advanced (cast ready, rehearsals underway, posters printed) when a global pandemic reared its ugly head. So instead of putting on my exciting new musical I found myself spending intense days working online and long evenings gardening; on the one hand a frustrating time, and it was certainly annoying to have the brakes put on my musical when everything had been going so well. On the other hand, giving a piece of theatre more room to develop can be a positive thing, as was the case here – we did an online preview, we tried out sections at outdoor events, and we had the time to get some aspects of the production much more into shape. Getting it back on stage was hard – really hard – there were some real logistical (not to mention mental) barriers to embarking on a process we had already been through once, with a kind of anxiety-driven paranoia that having been halted already it could so easily hit problems again. We had to recast some of the roles, half of the original cast having (perfectly naturally) moved on abd become unavailable. But what a rewarding process it has been, and to be honest it is a more polished, more brilliant show for the extra time it has taken us to get here.

Tell us about your show.

‘Infants’ tells the story of a single day in the lives of a class of seven-year-olds: bossy Kaylee and her best friend Chloe, sensitive Ryan, clumsy Liam, tactile Drew and sulky Jenny. But it’s not just about the children – we also meet their parents and their teachers, who become embroiled in a potential bullying situation and a misunderstanding involving a mop, all of which leads to a cataclysmic confrontation that will leave a substantial mark on all of the characters involved. It’s a comedy, with plenty of wordplay and physicality, not to mention moments of pure farce, but without giving too much away there’s a bittersweet element to what happens – with each rewrite the comedy in the show became darker, perhaps because the more I invested in the characters, the more the consequences of what was thrown at them felt genuinely painful. Also, the childishness we were exploring was being echoed in some of the highest public offices in the country, and a story about infantile behaviour getting out of hand and turning into a hunt for a scapegoat does seem… well, topical.

Featuring no fewer than 19 characters, the whole thing is performed by just six actors – so it’s something of a tour de force for the performers involved (not to mention a calorie-busting workout). And obviously, it’s all set to music, which veers from childlike simplicity for younger characters to some pretty sophisticated material for the adults. There are some old-fashioned toe-tapping tunes in there (you WILL come out with them stuck in your head), but also some really exciting moments of ensemble singing when all the different characters and storylines come together – so if you like the melodic invention of William Finn, or the wit and complexity of Sondheim, there’ll be plenty here to satisfy you.

I can also guarantee that you’ll laugh. A lot.

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

You must must must go and see ‘The Same Rain That Falls On Me’, a brilliant, funny, sad and vital monologue written by Logan Jones and performed by Ella McKeown (23 July, 12pm) – it packs so much into its 35 minutes and will leave you reeling. Matthew Gouldesbrough’s five star OffComm award-winning play Elegy (30 and 31 July, 4.30pm) looks too be another theatrical experience not to miss. I’m a huge silent cinema fan and seeing films with live musical accompaniment is one of life’s great pleasures, so Bela Lugosi’s ‘White Zombie’ with a new original score written and performed by Jason Frederick looks like an absolute treat (25 July, 7pm). And any opportunity to see Simon Munnery (23 July, 9pm) should be seized.

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