“Richard is played by me (Harrison), who also happens to be the writer the show, resulting in a very strange ongoing Venom-like metasymbiosis between us, stretching back to earlier versions of the show from years gone by.”
WHO: Harrison Cole
WHAT: “Prepare for a hilarious hour of (unconvincing) romance, (sloppy) action and (tenuous) espionage! Don’t miss the debut whirlwind comedy from The Defectors. Richard P Cooper, an eccentric ex-detective, presents his (heavily embellished) exploits on the stage (with mixed results)! He guides the audience through his journey to the USA, grappling with assassination plots and three-legged dogs, while three hapless drama students embody every other questionable character. This laugh-a-minute romp is sure to elate and baffle in equal measure! ‘An utterly endearing romp through the clichés of crime drama… irreverent and irresistible’ **** (LostInTheatreland.co.uk).”
WHERE: theSpaceTriplex – Studio (Venue 117)
WHEN: VARIES (50 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
As a company, yes! However, we are a mix of both sparkly-eyed newcomers to the fringe and grizzled veterans with many a highland fling under our belt. Bringing a show to Edinburgh is one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences you will ever have as an artist; from making it, to publicising it, to teching it, to actually performing it. To be at every step of the creative process with a small dedicated team is unlike any other feeling, so once you’re there it almost feels like a bonus when strangers take a chance on your show and (hopefully) love it! (Oh, and we’re also doing all of that for two shows…)
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
The biggest thing we’ve learned (for better or for worse), is if you keep developing a show for long enough – some of the jokes or plot threads you started with will become strangely relevant again… so stick to your guns!
Tell us about your show.
The show centres around egocentric ex-Detective, Richard P. Cooper, who is attempting to stage a production of his own semi-autobiographical exploits in his brand new play ‘An American Odyssey’, with the help of three-hapless drama students he has enlisted to play every other questionable character. Richard is played by me (Harrison), who also happens to be the writer the show, resulting in a very strange ongoing Venom-like metasymbiosis between us, stretching back to earlier versions of the show from years gone by. We’ve been developing the show since 2022 as The Defectors, who are Daniel Hemsley (performer and producer) and James Darby (producer and sound designer), and after some great responses from outings at various London venues, and the Clapham and Camden Fringes, we finally feel it is Edinburgh ready. We will then be taking it (and the whole double bill) back down South for the Lambeth Fringe on the 30th September at the Golden Goose Theatre!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Some other amazing shows you should check out are:
Lil Wenker: BANGTAIL is a rootin’ tootin’ hour of interactive clowning from the hilarious Lil, who is the Baddest Man in Texas…
Snake Boy Takes Manhattan is a brilliant piece of surreal character comedy with inventive sketches and interaction from the amazing Alex Richmond.
Pineapple Princess is a genius love story between a woman and a pineapple, we’ve seen a chunk and it was stupidly funny.
Mattia Sedda: Choin, don’t miss the international actor’s showcase of his great (and very funny) talents.
Will BF: Moon Team IIIV, a fantastic sketch comedian who is exploring the great era the DVD.
Good Boys Good Time, some great character comedy from two very good boys.
The Normal Formal, a brilliant night chock-full of the best alternative comedy acts (with a surreal twist).
Freddie Hayes: The Magic Lady is a spellbinding hour of wonky magic and hilarious character comedy.
And of course, we’d be silly not to suggest our follow-up show, ‘Defective Inspector: A Stitch in Time’, which we will be performing in the same venue and timings but on alternate nights to ‘An American Odyssey’!
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