“If there’s one thing I’d like to impart to others doing shows at EdFringe, it’s to never rely too much on yourself.”
WHO: Edward Weng
WHAT: “What if the reason I don’t like capitalism is that I just wanna chill out a bit? Rhinoceroses or capybaras? Black-pink or something less cling-clangy? Two friends make a radio play for the internet; this week’s episode is about the 1980s “Rhinoceritis” epidemic. A Singaporean production rooted in Ionesco’s Rhinoceros, Do Rhinos Feel Their Horns? re-asks what conformism means as we live through what is objectively the best time in history. It is funny, bleak, sometimes joyous, and always full of play.”
WHERE: Summerhall – Red Lecture Theatre (Venue 26)
WHEN: 11:45 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I happened to pass through Edinburgh during the festival some years ago on the way up to the highlands. Caught two shows. One of which had no words. The other had a lot of spit. The whole thing was like a carnival with every act conceivable and I knew I had to come back one day! Having been to a few festivals back home in Asia (Artjog in Yogyakarta and Georgetown Festival are my picks!), it’s still a bit hard to say what makes a great festival? It’s not necessarily scale, or even variety. Perhaps the people and the placemaking have something to do with it, but frankly you’ll know it if you see it. I saw it in Edinburgh back then.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I learnt last year that I shouldn’t just do everything! But perhaps I continue to actively resist the lesson because here I am at the Fringe! It’s been real tough bringing Rhinos here, dealing with funding and marketing etc., although thankfully we’ve had nothing but kindness and support from our lovely friends (and supporting institutions!). Also, to turn this interview around a bit, if there’s one thing I’d like to impart to others doing shows at EdFringe, it’s to never rely too much on yourself. What I learnt from working on Rhinos is to surround yourself with folks who are way better than you at things! I’ve loved being challenged constantly by my actors and sound designer on text – they’ve got rather peculiar minds and ears.
Tell us about your show.
Do Rhinos Feel Like Horns? is a play about a curious incident that happened in Singapore during the 1980s. Rhinos has its roots in Ionesco’s Rhinoceros (about a town where people begin turning into rhinos) and is a mix of comedy and brief dive into the history of happiness in my country. The company features artists I’ve admired for some time, including Melbourne Fringe Award-winning Cheryl Ho, as well as Straits Times Life Award-nominated sound designer Vick Low. Both of whom have big music brains. The show had its first life during a warmly-received 6-show preview in Singapore. It’s gotten a lot more exciting since, I think! Beyond Edinburgh, we’re still looking at other fringe festivals, especially in Asia/Australia!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m looking forward to catching the Danish showcase at Summerhall as well as the Korean showcase at the Edinburgh International Festival! Big ups to some of the Singapore-linked shows! Including Trojan Women at EIF, Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi? at Summerhall, and Unforgettable Girl at Pleasance!
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