Tag Archives: EdFestivals

+3 Interview: Nick Everritt: The Deconstruction

Posted in *Written Interviews, Plus 3 2019 – Features by

“I’ve finally got some stuff to put on a poster that doesn’t make me die a little inside.”

WHO: Nick Everritt: Performer

WHAT: “Watch in awe as a man in a suit demonstrates his mastery of every genre of comedy. Puns? I’ve got ’em. Satire? Sure! Observational comedy? Indubitably buddy. A wide range of miscellaneous comedic genres in which the tropes and cliches of comedy are deconstructed and subverted for the audience’s amusement? Well yes, that’s basically the premise of the show. ‘A droll, witty and very self-conscious deconstruction of comedy… Expect to see more of him’ (Chortle.co.uk). Laughing Horse New Act of the Year finalist 2018. Leicester Square Theatre Sketch Off finalist 2019.”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just the Spare Room (Venue 88) 

WHEN: 16:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Last year I was part of a split bill show ‘Robot vs Hurricane’, where I cut my teeth doing a full run at the Fringe. I also performed in The Free Association’s improv show ‘Jacuzii’. This is my first time taking a solo show to the Fringe, which promises to ramp up the pressure, fear, elation, despair and hubris compared to anything I’ve done in Edinburgh before.

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

I had a decent run in the new act competitions this year, so I’ve finally got some stuff to put on a poster that doesn’t make me die a little inside. Laurel wreaths and everything! I’ve also crossed the arbitrary yet oft-quoted milestone of turning 30.

I wish I could tell you I’ve found love this year or changed my life for the better in a meaningful way outside the very narrow sphere of comedy, but that would be a damnable lie. Still, as least Spurs made it to the Champions League final.

Tell us about your show.

The show is a loving mockery of the tropes and conventions of stand-up comedy. I perform a range of comedy genres – puns, observational, political satire etc. – and get each of them completely wrong. It’s essentially a spoof of an Edinburgh hour, where I play a deadpan, humourless character who doesn’t quite get comedy.

Having come from an improv and character comedy background, when I first tried stand-up I was more comfortable performing as a monotonic, boring, besuited ‘character’ as opposed to performing as ‘myself’. I’m sure all (both) of my friends would agree that the real Nick is a very different beast indeed!

So if you’ve had enough of watching talented comedians delivering funny and heartfelt shows based on their lived experience, why not come along to my show and see a droll parody of what all those other comics are doing?

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

I can heartily endorse my comedy chums Lorna Shaw, Shivani Thussu and Flora Anderson who are all taking solo shows to the Fringe this year.

I’d also recommend taking a punt on some shows where you’ve no idea quite what to expect. You might just discover your new favourite comic, and you’ll want to come back and see their Fringe shows year after year. Or it might be so awful that it makes for a great anecdote, e.g. “Do you remember that time we saw a show where the comic pretended to be a racist clam for an hour, and not in an ironic way?” By all means go and see the big names and Fringe favourites – I certainly will be – but mix it up with a bit of mystery and peril. What have you got to lose aside from an hour and your will to live?

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+3 Interview: Lusty Mannequins: Uncommonwealth

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“We are proud of our baby, and excited to show it to the world, we are just hoping that people don’t think it’s got a smashed up face.”

WHO: Ashley Comeau: Performer

WHAT: “This ‘sure to sell out act’ (NOW Magazine) has four veteran performers with over 60 years combined comedy experience. Alastair Forbes, Ashley Comeau, Karen Parker and Connor Thompson are alumni of The Second City (the same comedy institution that birthed Tina Fey and Steve Carell). Equal parts emotional, wordy, and physical, The Lusty Mannequins deliver a 60-minute mischief-filled ride. ‘Lots of smart comedy with an impeccable sense of drama and surprise’ (NOW Magazine). Think Dylan Thomas throwing a cocktail party and Helena Bonham Carter, Kristen Wiig and Mr Bean showing up.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Sportsmans (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 15:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Karen Parker and I have been to Edinburgh Fringe Festival one time before. I directed Flo & Joan a few years back and we wanted to surprise them so we booked last minute ticket to Scotland (from Canada), picked out our disguises and booked tickets for their show. After going to the WRONG venue, we made it just in time, to sit, slouched behind two big men to hide ourselves. We couldn’t laugh out loud because they know our laughs, so we were covering our mouths and cackling into our shirts. We must’ve looked mad. We ended up pulling off the surprise and having the most wonderful 72 hours at the Fringe!

Connor and Alastair haven’t been and boy oh boy are we going to make them do ghost tours!

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

I would say getting to perform both at Just For Laughs in Montreal and in Edinburgh Fringe in the same summer. Karen and I are leaving Montreal and coming straight to Scotland! It’s going to be a ride!

Also – (and this is from our press kit), but Sting crashed our photoshoot – it was wild! He walked right up saying “Are you the Lusty Mannequins?”. It was a real dream moment.

Tell us about your show.

Our show is a sketch comedy revue, written by the four of us – Ashley Comeau, Alastair Forbes, Karen Parker and Connor Thompson (all Second City Mainstage Alumni). Lots of different scenes, covering several different topics – using all different kinds of comedy. We called it UNCOMMONWEALTH to mock about the fact that Canada (where we are from) is part of the Commonwealth, and to point out the humour in the unequal distribution of wealth across all forms.

We are self-producing so please tell everyone about the show.

The troupe started ten years ago with just Connor and myself and over the past few years, Alastair and Karen were added. We are all best friends (two of us married), who have dark sensibilities, funny brains and charmingly awkward personalities. We are JACKED UP over debuting this show at Edinburgh Fringe! We are hoping to tour this show post Festival.

We are proud of our baby, and excited to show it to the world, we are just hoping that people don’t think it’s got a smashed up face.

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

Flo & Joan – Before The Screaming Starts (because they are the funniest people we have ever met and you’d be sad to miss it)

Songs in the Key of Cree (as part of the Canada Hub) – (because it is important to me to support Canada’s Indigenous artists and Tomson is absolutely brilliant).

Anesti Danelis: Six Frets Under, (a funny and talented musician and a downright sweet pea of a person)
The Big Gay Story Slam (I think it’s important to support LGBTQ+ stories and their allies!) (I am bi-sexual 🙂 )

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+3 Interview: George Egg: Movable Feast

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“The story is autobiographical and it does what it says on the tin. I have been telling these anecdotes in the pub for years.”

WHO: George Egg: Performer

WHAT: “Brand-new comedy from the stand-up who cooks on stage. In this show he’s on the road! It’s time for planes, trains and automob-meals (sorry). George demonstrates how to cook with an engine, procure items from the train buffet trolley and turn unexpected roadworks into a picnic. Three plates of gourmet food cooked live in the most unconventional ways and with the opportunity to taste the results at the end, provided you can stop laughing. ‘Brilliantly funny’ (Jay Rayner, Guardian). ‘Trust us, you won’t believe how good the food tastes’ (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo (Venue 3) 

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No it’s my fifth and my third solo show. I did my first comedy-with-cooking show in 2015 which was such a success (total sell out and won Spirit Of The Fringe) that I returned for a short run in 2016. I then came back with a second show for another full run in 2017 which was another total sell out so brought that back for a short run last year.

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

Personally? My mum died. However this isn’t a dead-parent show, it’s a show about how to cook with a car engine, but a poem about my mum has snuck into it.

Tell us about your show.

I’m a total one-man-band, so I devised, wrote, directed and perform the show myself, as I have with all three shows I’ve brought to The Fringe. And all my shows have been along the same genre-splicing lines. It’s part stand-up comedy show, part illustrated lecture and part cookery demonstration. Over the course of the show I cook three plates of properly delicious gourmet food but I don’t use any conventional kitchen equipment. And then at the end the audience get to sample what I’ve cooked. If they want to, at their own risk of course. No pressure. The show is premiering in Edinburgh and then it’s of on tour around the UK.

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

Well I’m into food so I’m going to give some culinary-based recommendations. Go to the Cheesy Toast Shack, they do the best toasties and they’ve got a few stalls around George Square and Bristo Square. There’s also a brilliant restaurant called ‘Field’ on Nicolson Street where I had an amazing meal a couple of years ago. If you want meat go to Saunderson’s Butchers on Leven St, they’re the nicest folk and they give me free meat for the show. Dig-In Bruntsfield do excellent veg (they’re providing me with ingredients too). And for bread go to The Wee Boulangerie on Clerk St. And don’t miss the one-off show ‘Dan vs Food’ at The Pleasance on 14th August at 1:30pm.

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+3 Interview: Zach Zimmerman: Clean Comedy

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“I’m coming back to do the FULL MONTH and all the excitement, exhuastion, and sex that comes with that.”

WHO: Zach Zimmerman: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “My mom says I should focus on clean comedy for my career. F*ck that. Please join me, a Time Out New York Comic to Watch 2019 (stop it, I’m blushing) as I skewer my traumatic Southern Baptist childhood and equally painful gay NYC adulthood. It’s my debut hour at the Fringe, it’ll be equal parts adorable and hot, and will delight my mother in title only.”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Dram (Venue 24) 

WHEN: 22:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! Sorta! Last year, I decided at the last minute to visit the Fringe and throw up a show for the final week of the Fringe and see what the fest was all about. I had a blast, more sex than I planned for, and now I’m coming back to do the FULL MONTH and all the excitement, exhuastion, and sex that comes with that.

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

I quit my job! And changed my anti-depressants! In that order!

Tell us about your show.

“Clean Comedy” is my fun stand-up hour about being gay in a Southern Baptist, evangelical home in Virginia, my (mis)adventures in love in Chicago and New York, and how my mom wishes I wouldn’t talk about any of that. If you’re wondering what it’s like to open for a drag queen, repress your sexuality, and get dumped on a plane…this is the show for you!

I wrote and performed it, some friends Carol and Rob Walport are helping me bring it to the Fringe, and it’s directed by the wonderful Dec Munro.

It’s 90% funny, 10% sad, and 100% fabulous.

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

After buying a ticket for all 26 performances of “Clean Comedy” at the Gilded Balloon, check out a few of my friends! Go see Golden Delicious’ drag show at CC Blooms, Mary Houlihan’s absurd play about dating Jack Nicholson, Dave Maher’s follow-up to his show about being in a coma, and Cat Cohen’s incredible musical madness.

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+3 Interview: Samantha Pressdee: Covered

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“It’s a story of resilience. How I took my power back and rebuilt my life, after ending up in a mental hospital five years ago.”

WHO: Samantha Pressdee: Comedian

WHAT: “The only thing crazier than Sammie was the welfare state supposed to be helping her! Getting your needs met in austerity Britain is a game of Russian roulette. Will she beat the system? ‘Excellent storytelling, very funny’ **** (One4Review.co.uk). ‘A lot of comedians talk the talk when it comes to demanding social change, but Samantha Pressdee walks the walk’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Cheeky jokes intertwined with a startlingly honest account of her struggles’ **** (Issuu.com/BunburyMagazine). ‘A socio-political and cultural butterfly’ **** (MumbleComedy.net). ‘Free-thinking, hard-hitting and anarchic, but delivered with a twinkle in the eye’ (Fringepig.co.uk). As seen on RT.”

WHERE: PQA Venues @Riddle’s Court – Q3 (Venue 277) 

WHEN: 16:00 (50 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, this will be my sixth time at the fringe as a comedian. 7th in total. I first came with a play in 2013, and after seeing a few comedy shows my inner joker was awakened. I’m addicted to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Which is better than being on drugs, but probably more expensive!

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

Nothing to do with my comedy, but I got to go backstage at The Royal Festival Hall and hang out with my teenage crush Zac, from the band Hanson. It was also quite nice to appear on RT’s Sputnik with George Galloway. It’s the first time I have been invited on television to talk about my comedy.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a story of resilience. How I took my power back and rebuilt my life, after ending up in a mental hospital five years ago. I wrote it and it’s produced by my social enterprise, Love Muffin Productions. Sounds a bit like a porn company but most of our revenue actually comes from psychic readings. Which is a different kind of intimacy. Phil Nichol is my director. Edinburgh is the premier, after nationwide previews and it is booked into The Blue Orange Theatre on World Mental Health Day as part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival in October.

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

I want to big up my fellow lunatics so Fern Brady: Power and Chaos. She’s a badass! Alfie Brown: Imagination, he is my comedy guru. Phil Nichol: Too Much, who is my comedy mom and the people who have joined my barmy army by participating in my mental health project Pulling It Together; Laura Lexx: Knee Jerk, Juliette Burton: Defined and Dave Chawner: Mental. Also my friend Mags McHugh in Black Sheep and my indigo sister Clare McCartney in Working-Class Progress with Backenders.

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+3 Interview: Stand-Up Poet

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“It’s sardonic, often, but also empathetic, cathartic or sometimes plain pissed off!”

WHO: Greg Byron: Writer/ performer

WHAT: “‘Excellent show’ (FringeReview.co.uk). Sardonic, comic, whimsical, sometimes just poignant or cathartic, but always ‘keeps you constantly engaged’ (Kansas City Star) delivering verses on life, the universe and everything… ‘There’s a power in both the words and delivery’ (FringeReview.co.uk). ‘A fully licensed wordsmith. A man with a brilliant turn of phrase… Sharp and witty, the nuances of tone, intonation, timing, body language and facial cues give canyons of depth’ ***** (RAW). ‘A wonderful wandering bard’ (BarefootReview.com.au). ‘Defying classification, Byron leaves us wanting more’ (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘Like watching John Cooper Clarke snog John Hegley while Pam Ayres watches’ (BBC Radio Sussex).”

WHERE: Imagination Workshop – Princes Suite (Venue 119) 

WHEN: 19:00 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It isn’t – it’s my third visit doing poetry, but first not in Assembly – I’m down on George Street this year, among the crowds – not aloof and up the vast amount of steps halfway up The Mound.

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

I took my previous show to Adelaide in Australia, and was offered a job there – which I turned down!

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it – it’s called “Stand-Up Poet” not because it’s all funny (though some of it is plain silly) but because it’s the closest description I could think of to describe what I do! It’s sardonic, often, but also empathetic, cathartic or sometimes plain pissed off! I can’t stand lies from politicians and the state the world’s in – and I think that comes across whether I’m talking about the USA, plastic pollution or trophy wives. Still – we also need humour more than ever.

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

Loud Poets – always good!
Edalia Day at Zoo – “Too Pretty To Punch” – no idea but the trailer looks fab!
Bible John from “Poor Michelle” – promising new writing
Pip Utton – at Pleasance

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+3 Interview: In PurSUEt

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“It’s been an emotional roller coaster and an incredible learning curve.”

WHO: Eleanor Higgins: Actor Writer Creator

WHAT: “Inspired by true events: a passionate Sue Perkins Superfan, sent to a therapist to deal with her drinking, relays her adventures pursuing Sue. Fleabag meets Miranda in this fierce, heartfelt new LGBT comedy/drama. Follow our heroines impressive swagger skills, drinking habits and coping mechanisms in an age of social media, #MeToo and Brexit… In PurSUEt is a play with unexpected truth, nuance and hope. A searingly fresh new show that leaves the audience in no doubt: it is by facing our demons, we overcome them. ‘Step aside Fleabag. Hello InPurSUEt!’ ***** (Pink Elephant Arts). Simply Brilliant!” ***** (RadioGaga.com).”

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

WHEN: 12:10 (45 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve visited the fringe the last few years – I love it. The innovation, the raw talent and energy – it’s always been a complete inspiration. It blew me away the first time I “arrived” on the mile. But this will be my first time bringing a show. And one that I have written, directed and starring in myself. Really excited to be on the other side this year – where I belong!

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

So since 2018 I’ve finished my masters degree at ALRA. That was pretty intense – but actually, the biggest thing to happen has been my show In PurSUEt.

It’s been an emotional roller coaster and an incredible learning curve. I can’t wait to finally get on stage with it. It’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

Tell us about your show.

So my show is semi autobiographical about a time in my life when I was drinking heavily, having therapy and had a huge crush on Sue Perkins – and basically spent a lot of time trying to get her to date me! But on a serious note, the character has a drinking problem, which she is in deep denial over. So rather that facing that whilst in the therapy, she relays all her run ins with Sue to avoid facing her truth. It’s a story about redemption. And conquering your demons. And though originally based on myself, there is artistic license involved for sure. It’s creativity at the end of the day.

It’s a one woman show – so I’m running the whole shooting match! Writing, acting, producing, marketing – the works! Fortunately it would seem I don’t need to sleep for more than 40minutes a night at the moment… and I’m a crazy multi-tasker. It’s being produced by my production company: Bush Producirtons. An all female led LGBTQ+ film and theatre company. We focus on bringing new talent to the fringe. We are also passionate about mental health, bringing awareness to women’s issues and the LGBTQ+ community. This will be my first time performing at fringe – so I’m pretty excited to make my debut! I hope the show has a life beyond Edinburgh… I would love it if it could be developed further and turned into something greater. I think with all the material and buzz it’s created, there’s strong potential for development. The idea is quite unique. I would love if the show took on a life of its own beyond the fringe. But right now – i’m living in the moment, taking it one day at time, excited to see what happens next.

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

I’m really keen to see Me and My whilst I’m in Edinburgh. It’s an amazing new show written by two talented young women, dealing with the complicated subject of grief. Supposed to be really excellent. So I would definitely recommend that to them! Sooz Kempner is amazing also – and after her huge viral tweet she has really rocketed. We trained together, she has always been one of the most talented people I know. I’m really excited to see where she ends up next.

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+3 Interview: Bomb Happy D-Day 75

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“We are delighted that two of the Veterans (Ken Cooke and Ken Smith) will be attending…”

WHO: Beryl Nairn: Actor

WHAT: “A verbatim play about ordinary young men in extraordinary times. Bomb Happy evocatively brings to life the powerful testimonies of five Normandy Veterans, inexperienced young conscripts who find themselves part of one of the most dangerous operations of World War II. As the action unfolds, memories – humorous and harrowing – collide, allowing a close-up experience of life on the front line, whilst wives’ accounts highlight the lifelong impact of PTSD. Post-show Meet the Veterans at Friday and Saturday performances.”

WHERE: Army @ The Fringe in Association with Summerhall – Drill Hall (Venue 210) 

WHEN: Varies (75 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes it is! I’ve been to see many great shows at the Fringe over the years – but this is the first time I’ve ever had a chance to perform! Who’d have thought that, at the tender age of 62, I’d get a chance to realise my long-held dream to act in a show at Edinburgh Fringe?

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

Loads of things! I’ve been part of a nation wide live-streaming of ‘Bomb Happy’ the play we are currently bringing to the Fringe. It was really exciting. But a bit nerve-wracking as well. All the cast were aware of the audience watching from afar, but we also had to make sure we engaged with the audience watching the show right in front of us. This was just one of ten performances we did on our Edinburgh preview run.

Tell us about your show.

The show, ‘Bomb Happy’ is written by a fabulous playwright called Helena Fox. ‘Bomb Happy’ is produced by Everwitch Theatre and it premiered in 2017 to a standing ovation on opening night and a sell-out tour. The unique feature of ‘Bomb Happy’ is that it uses the verbatim testimonies of five Normandy Veterans, who toured with the show. However, although the words are the true life memories of older men, their words are spoken by a cast of young actors who portray the veterans as their youthful selves on D-Day (June 6th 1944).

We are delighted that two of the Veterans (Ken Cooke and Ken Smith) will be attending performances of ‘Bomb Happy’ on, 16, 17, 23 & 24 August. Ken Cooke ‘Cookey’ is especially excited to be in Edinburgh as he was part of the Highland Light Infantry during the Normandy Campaign. My character ‘Queenie’ speaks the words of Ken Smith’s wife and sheds light on the dreadful impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) still experienced by many Veterans today. We’ll be very busy after Edinburgh, as we’ve already had requests to tour the show – and to some pretty exciting and unusual venues – including a huge aircraft hangar in a WW2 air museum!

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

All the diverse range of shows hosted by Army at The Fringe look amazing! We definitely want to see them all – and urge everyone to do the same. We’re also looking forward to propping up the Mess Bar and eating in the Field Kitchen at venue 210!

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+3 Interview: Rust

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” I wanted to tell the story of my time in hospital for mental illnesses, as I thought there was a need for a show focused on the experience of recovery (rather than on illness itself) and on rehab.”

WHO: Helena Fox: Writer

WHAT: “‘When you leave here, everything else will be exactly the same. The only thing that’s changed is you.’ Based on personal experience, Rust follows Evie over the course of a month in a rehab centre as she starts to rebuild herself from rock bottom. The company behind SiX brings this moving and life-affirming original musical about addiction, mental health services and recovery to the Fringe. Previous praise for the production team: ***** (ThreeWeeks, EdFringeReview.com, Varsity).”

WHERE: theSpace @ Venue45 – theSpace @ Venue 45 (Venue 45) 

WHEN: 13:55 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Nope! I went for five days to watch in 2017, having been wanting to go for years, and loved it, seeing 6+ shows every day. I went back in 2018, after my first year at Uni, to perform in a student comedy musical about Brexit for the month and Cambridge Dragtime for a week. I feel like I’ve learnt more about the Fringe each time, but this is my first time taking a show I’ve co-written, which is going to be another experience entirely!

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

I would have to say placing 2nd at Man Up! 2019, the drag king competition founded by The Glory. 58 kings entered, making it the largest drag king contest this side of the Atlantic, and possibly in the world! It was a surreal, emotional, night. Even my grandma came to watch. Dancing in the interval to Jonny Woo and John Sizzle singing Erasure’s ‘Respect’ with her and my great aunt was unforgettable. The drag king scene is so friendly and it was wonderful to meet the other kings, too. But getting the slot to put on ‘Rust’ at the Fringe and finishing the second year of my degree have to get mentions too…

Tell us about your show.

I first had the idea for the show on a plane from Edinburgh to London during last year’s Fringe, when I was flying home to make my cousin’s wedding! I wanted to tell the story of my time in hospital for mental illnesses, as I thought there was a need for a show focused on the experience of recovery (rather than on illness itself) and on rehab. I wanted to de-Americanise the view of rehab as I feel the main cultural references we have are from the USA. That month changed my life entirely (for the better!), and I hope the audience can leave feeling hopeful but thoughtful, too.

I wrote it with my fellow student, Geraint Owen, who is a stellar composer (my own musical talents are lacking!). ‘Rust’ is being put on by the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, and produced by the wonderful Elspeth Davies. We’ve had the best week of rehearsals in Cambridge, with many laughs and tears alike, and even a sing-along on the roof of St. John’s College chapel! I can’t wait for the preview in Guildford, where I grew up, on 30th July. After Edinburgh, we’re doing a home run in Cambridge in mid-November.

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

Ooh, lots! I absolutely adored ‘A Heart at Sea’ when I saw it in 2017, so ‘Boulder’, Half a String’s new show, is definitely going on my watch list and it should be really amazing. ‘Herstory’ looks really interesting, too. I was lucky to catch ‘The Ladies’ in Cambridge and it’s at the Fringe; it’s an engrossing, well-told, and impeccably observed LGBT+ and female-driven narrative. For comedy fans: Jessie Cave’s ‘Sunrise’ is also an amazing show (the only comedy show that’s made me laugh out loud AND weep) and this Fringe is the last change to see it. If you like the surreal, John-Luke Roberts has been a highlight of both of the Fringes I’ve been to, while Isa Bonachera is a really quirky and fun watch, too.

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+3 Interview: Standard:Elite

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“…for a long time didn’t think we’d ever be able to take something up to the Edinburgh Fringe. It’s always presented as the Holy Grail of industry showcases, but taking a show up takes a lot of time, resources and ultimately – money.”

WHO: Elliot Hughes: Writer/Performer

WHAT: “There are two types of ticket. Everyone gets a Standard ticket. You have to earn an Elite ticket. Together, we’re going to tell a story… of a girl from Lowground spun from spiderweb and a boy from Highground carved from clouds. Standards work to build the story, Elites control which path the story takes. That’s fair, right? Standard:Elite is a playful, interactive theatre experience about class and privilege that’s irreverent, accessible and fun. There are two types of ticket. There aren’t two types of people. ***** (VoiceMag.uk). ***** (TheSpyInTheStalls.co.uk). Winner: Best New Writing (Manchester Fringe), Best Newcomer (Brighton Fringe).”

WHERE: Bedlam Theatre – Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49) 

WHEN: 16:55 (70 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes. We’ve been making work for years, but for a long time didn’t think we’d ever be able to take something up to the Edinburgh Fringe. It’s always presented as the Holy Grail of industry showcases, but taking a show up takes a lot of time, resources and ultimately – money.

However, thanks to the support of a lot of people (particularly Oxford Playhouse, Bedlam Theatre and three productions worth of Theatre Tax Refund) we’re finally able to bring our show about class and social mobility up to the place where all the gatekeepers go…

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

Standard:Elite has been fortunate enough to win awards at the two other Fringe Festivals we’ve visited – ‘Best New Writing’ at the Greater Manchester Fringe, and ‘Best Newcomer’ at Brighton Fringe.

It’s been amazing to get such a positive response to the show and meet lots of different types of audiences around the country. Now it’s time to tackle the Scots.

We’ve also been working on our new show ‘Drawing the Line’, which was the flagship commission of The Albany’s ‘Rebels’ season and had us creating entirely new nations from scratch with audiences in Deptford.

Tell us about your show.

Hidden Track is a company created by Director Anoushka Bonwick and Writer Elliot Hughes, out of a desire to create playful, political work which challenges narratives, champions the vulnerable, and rewrites the rules of theatre.

They both met at the University of East Anglia, and then graduated University to find themselves unemployed. Anoushka spent ten months handing out flyers for other businesses while she searched for work, while Elliot was sent by the Job Centre to an employment workshop where he was told to take his degree in Scriptwriting and Performance off his CV as it made him ‘unemployable’.

Standard:Elite was first performed in the room above a pub in Manchester for Chorlton Arts Festival, with a total budget of £500. It then received really positive responses, and slowly grew bigger and bigger as it begin to win awards, receive funding, tour around England, and expand its creative team. As well as bringing on incredibly talented designers and artists, they were also joined by Producer Beccy Smith, who has now been with the company for over two years.

Standard:Elite is an interactive show about class and social mobility that splits its audience into ‘Standard’ and ‘Elite’ audience members on the roll of a dice. Elites receive special treatment – getting comfier seats, free cake, and the chance to vote to change the outcome of the show’s story. Standards work to help tell the story – playing games, shouting things out, serving the aforementioned cakes… and the Standards who win those games get to become Elites themselves.

The show is an anarchic, irreverent take on the subject which plays fast and loose with the rules of theatre, but always focuses on our audience just having a great time. All audience participation is voluntary, and you’ll never be asked to do anything you don’t want to do. You can start your own class war, smuggle illicit goods across borders, shout ‘Objection!’ in court, or just sit unharassed and watch the story unfold.

It’s mainly a good laugh that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it also contains an important message about the myths of social mobility and hardships of class discrimination.

You also get to throw things. And there’s a giant duck.

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

There’s so much to go and see!

In particular, first, a shout-out to our fellow shows supported by the Oxford Playhouse – Kuumba Nia Arts’ ‘Sold’ and Doug Crossley’s ‘Give Me One Moment In Time’ (both showing at the Pleasance).

On the same subject matter, we’re exploring, we’re really intrigued to see Scottee’s ‘Class’ at Roxy Assembly.

Comedy-wise there’s the inimitable Joz Norris with his new show ‘Joz Norris Is Dead. Long Live Mr Fruit Salad.’ (showing at Heroes @ The Hive)

And we also can’t wait to see John Robertson’s live-action video game ‘The Dark Room’ at the Gilded Balloon.

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