Tag Archives: EdFestivals

+3 Interview: American Idiot

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“The amount of passion and work put into this show is honestly astonishing and it promises to be 90 minutes of raw, visceral entertainment where the audience won’t have a second to catch their breath.”

WHO: James Hart, Co-Producer

WHAT: “Green Day’s visceral and provocative Grammy and two-time Tony Award-winning musical. Three disillusioned men search for meaning in our broken world. Will tries to care for his pregnant girlfriend but dissociation wins. Tunny, captivated by the American Dream, joins the army. In the city, Jonny finds purpose with rebellious activist Whatsername but in his intoxication and apathy, finds a reflection of himself that won’t let him be. Ninety minutes of breathtaking raw energy and electrifying music that is not to be missed. Edinburgh University Footlights return to the Fringe following their sell-out 2017 production.”

WHERE: C venues – C – +3 (Venue 34) 

WHEN: 13:45 (95 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh University Footlights returned to Fringe last summer, after a 20 year hiatus, with our 2017 production of ‘Sister Act’ which I was also the producer for. As an Edinburgh-based company, most of us have experienced the Festival before and could not be happier to be coming back this year with ‘American Idiot’. Last year went so well for us, we sold out our 7-day run and hope to do the same again this year with lots of familiar talent, and some fresh new faces!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

Our term-time show, ‘Fame’ in February was a huge success for Footlights, as was our Showchoir’s production ‘Encore’. We received 4* and 5* reviews for both, being dubbed a “professional level show at amateur prices” with it being “difficult to distinguish these young performers from professionals”. Finding an incredibly talented cast for ‘American Idiot’ and working towards this show, has also been incredibly rewarding.

Tell us about your show.

‘American Idiot’ is a musical based on Green Day’s concept album of the same name. The album has been adapted, with additional script written by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, and the show follows the story of Johnny, Will and Tunny as they leave the suburbs to pursue big dreams in the city. I am producing the show alongside Annabel Reid, and it is being directed by Maddie Flint. The amount of passion and work put into this show is honestly astonishing and it promises to be 90 minutes of raw, visceral entertainment where the audience won’t have a second to catch their breath. The show only runs for 1 week during the Festival and so shouldn’t be missed!

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

Our fellow university society EUSOG are putting on ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ which promises to be incredible, as well as EUSC’s production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, Room 29 Theatre’s ‘Dogfight’, and Bare Productions’ ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’. I also wouldn’t even be in Edinburgh at university or doing this show were it not for Young Pleasance who I first experienced Fringe with in 2012. This year they are putting on ‘The Red Shoes’ which I’m sure will be stunning, as their shows always are!

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Glasgow ’14

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I have had personal experience of male mental health problems and know the isolation and anxiety it can cause amongst family and friends, male and female of those affected.”

WHO: Sally Lewis, Writer

WHAT: “From award-winning director Benet Catty, this one-man show examines the ‘unseen’ illness of male mental health through the eyes of four different male characters, coping day to day, when an unexpected trauma sets the picture unraveling. Writer Sally Lewis, who scored a hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 with How is Uncle John?, returns by popular demand with an equally sensitive take on an overlooked subject, inspired by real life stories. All four characters are played by master of the monologue, actor Neil Gwynne.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Theatre 3 (Venue 53) 

WHEN: 20:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I made my Fringe debut in 2016 with ‘HOW IS UNCLE JOHN’, a powerful story about modern day slavery, but Ben Catty, our director, is a Fringe veteran having been here with 6 plays,of which three won London Fringe transfers and four featured on multiple Critics Choice lists. Neil Gwynne, actor and master of the monologue makes his debut playing four characters in this one-man show.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

For me its the opportunity to write this play and work with mental health charities such as Brothers In Arms Scotland to get male mental health out into the open and start the conversation. It’s been vital to me to see how men can find support and know they do not have to suffer alone, since Festivals ’17 I have had personal experience of male mental health problems and know the isolation and anxiety it can cause amongst family and friends, male and female of those affected.

Tell us about your show.

Neil, the actor brought ben (the director) and myself (writer) together. Neil and Ben were old friends who went back to theatre school days, I was the newcomer. Neil already had an idea about looking at male mental health as a subject and we chatted. He had read my script for HOW IS UNCLE JOHN and liked the style of my work. Together we collaborated on what is now GLASGOW ’14. We had one performance back in Neil’s home town of Romsey and are delighted to say it went down well. We are all keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for a tour after Edinburgh.

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

They should visit the bar firstly. There’s nothing like a drink and a chat to let the play really seep into the consciousness. Then they should head off to see My Left/Right Foot – the musical, and the Underground Railway Game @The Traverse.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Antigone na h’Éireann

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“It was a huge challenge dealing with a brand new Fringe in a brand new city for the first time (not being able to flyer in City of Manchester council area being a prime example) but it was exciting and ultimately paid off.”

WHO: James Beagon, Director & Writer

WHAT: “Driven by faith to resurrect the IRA, Annie battles to bring her family the honour they deserve. A new Northern Irish adaptation of the myth by multi award-winning writer James Beagon. In the not too distant future, a hard-border Brexit has severed Ireland in two once and for all. Annie and her siblings will not let this stand. An unshakeable shadow lingers over their journey as faith, family and factions collide: the shadow of their father and the memory of the Disappeared. Inspired by Sophocles and other sources. ***** (Families Edinburgh). **** (FringeGuru.com). **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Paradise in The Vault – The Vault (Venue 29) 

WHEN: 18:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is the fifth successive year that Aulos has presented a production at the Edinburgh Fringe and we’re thrilled to be back at Paradise once more!

Last year, we presented “Gobland for the Goblins!”, which won Best Children’s Show at the Derek Awards, and in the years before that we produced “Lest We Forget”, “Women of the Mourning Fields” and “First Class” respectively.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

Probably the biggest thing would have been in July, when we toured “Antigone na h’Éireann” not only to the Buxton Fringe (which we’ve done several times before) but also to the up-and-coming Greater Manchester Fringe for the first time.

It was a huge challenge dealing with a brand new Fringe in a brand new city for the first time (not being able to flyer in City of Manchester council area being a prime example) but it was exciting and ultimately paid off with a collection of very good reviews which we otherwise wouldn’t have.

Tell us about your show.

“Antigone na h’Éireann” is a brand new take on the Greek myth and more than a simple adaptation of the famous Sophocles play. Instead, it’s a completely new script which draws its inspiration not only from the Sophocles but also from other classical writers who told the story in a different way.

It’s set in a hypothetical post-Brexit Northern Ireland in 2019, where a “hard border” has resulted from the UK leaving the EU and the island of Ireland is essentially severed in two. But Brexit isn’t really the focus of the play; instead, our play is about faith and family. Annie (our modern Antigone) is a devout Catholic in our version of the story, and the play deals with the conflict between her religious and political ideals, as well as the looming shadow that the legacy of her father casts.

As previously mentioned, we’ve just come off the back of a week’s run at the Buxton Fringe and Greater Manchester Fringe, where we picked up an award nomination and several excellent reviews. There’s talk of performing it after the Edinburgh Fringe finishes but it’s very much hypothetical at this stage.

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

We have loads to recommend! There’s so much excellent stuff happening this Fringe and a lot of it is from Edinburgh. The shows that immediately come to mind are:

– “Twelfth Night” by Some Kind of Theatre, performing at Paradise in the Vault
– “Ganymede” by TypeCast Productions, performing at Paradise in Augustines
– “The Monster In The Hall” by Capsize Collective, performing at theSpace on the Mile
– “Dr Korczak’s Example” by Strange Town Theatre Company, performing at the Just Festival at St John’s Church
– “Like Drowning” by Theatre Paradok, performing at theSpace on Niddry Street
– “Number, Please” by Paprichoo, performing at theSpace on North Bridge
– “The Henriad: Histories of Betrayal” by Festivus Collectivus, performing at Greenside on Royal Terrace

There are more but that’s a good start to keep you going for a while!

A cheeky bit of self-promotion – we’re also doing a second show “Shakespeare Catalysts” from 20-26th at Espionage as part of the Free Festival, but we’ll do a second interview for that one!

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Individual Medley

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I’m really excited to get more time in the city and discover more good people, more good food and lots of creativity.”

WHO:  Katrina Quinn, Writer, performer, producer

WHAT: “Q: What happens when you move a 12-year-old from Basingstoke to Zambia? A: She swims. Katrina weaves together poetry, swimming lessons and some 00’s RnB in a mesmerising coming-of-age memoir about crossing borders. Learn to butterfly, learn how to speak to boys, learn to fit into your skin. And remember to ‘breathe, 2, 3, 4…’ Award-nominated at Brighton Fringe. ‘Katrina’s poetic prowess is truly gold-medal material’ (The Cornishman).”

WHERE: Sweet Grassmarket – Grassmarket 4 (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 11:55 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a Fringe performer yes, although I’ve been several times before to visit and love it! One trip involved improvised dance (with flags) at Arthur’s Seat, on the Royal Mile and in the Castle grounds. Other trips mainly revolved around good people and good food, and last year: the Fringe. So I’m really excited to get more time in the city and discover more good people, more good food and lots of creativity.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

Ooooh… I became an aunty, moved into a lovely flat right by the sea, and signed up for Edinburgh!

Tell us about your show.

I wrote, performed and produced “Individual Medley”, which debuted at Brighton Fringe 2017. It was a bit of a solo-endeavour, an experiment post-turning-30 to see if I could give this creative thing a proper go instead of letting life be overtaken by ‘proper’ jobs with barely time to perform poetry now and again. That said, through performing the show and developing it over the past year I’ve met and worked with some brilliant women: Lauren Gauge, Jesse Payne, Rosie Powell, The Junkyard Dogs ladies (award-winning Brighton venue).

Since Brighton, “Individual Medley” has gone to Penzance Litfest, Hove Grown and Swindon Fringe. In the future it would be awesome to perform it in or next to a swimming pool!

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

Pecho Mama’s “Medea Electronica”, which is a lot darker but very moving with a stunning live soundtrack. Rhum & Clay’s “Mistero Buffo” because they never disappoint (and I did drama A-level with Julian and Nick and they’re ace). Kinky Theatre’s “Love like 90’s RnB” if you didn’t get enough TLC, or “The Mariner” for more poetry and water. I’m looking forward to seeing Harry & Chris and Flo & Joan for musical comedy genius. And for more spoken word shows check out Robert Garnham, Fay Roberts and Koko Brown.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: The Basement Tapes

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I lost my front tooth! If you come to the show, please humour me by saying you can’t notice the fake.”

WHO: Stella Reid, Performer/co-author

WHAT: “Following her grandmother’s death, a girl faces the overwhelming task of clearing out the basement. She discovers a series of mysterious tapes with recordings made by her grandmother. As she hears these tapes for the first time, things start to unravel… Twin Peaks meets Serial in this award-winning New Zealand mystery, set and performed literally in a basement. Inspired by podcasts and Robert Lepage’s comment that radio is the most visual medium. ****1/2 (Age). ****1/2 (Sydney Morning Herald). ‘Totally engaging. A must-see production’ (Stuff.co.nz). ‘Eerie, thrilling and totally engrossing’ (TheatreView.org.nz).”

WHERE: Summerhall – Former Womens Locker Room (Venue 26) 

WHEN: 18:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I went to Edinburgh as an audience member in 2012. I found it very overwhelming, and had no idea what to choose to see, but looking back that may have been because of the impending sense the world was going to end. It didn’t, thankfully. Which is why I’m here again six years later.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

After performing The Basement Tapes in Melbourne Fringe in 2017 I ended up in hospital with a jaw infection. I lost my front tooth! If you come to the show, please humour me by saying you can’t notice the fake. Oh, and The Basement Tapes’ director Jane Yonge got married to her longtime high school sweetheart Robin, which I think is just as equally important and life changing.

Tell us about your show.

The Basement Tapes fire was ignited when a tape recorder was found while cleaning up my Grandmother’s house when she died. This artefact was its own little mystery (Why did she have this? Why in the basement? What did she record?) but something about this obsolete technology inspired me in a Lynchian, Buñuel fashion. Bringing together three other devisors, including director Jane Yonge (married), sound designer Thomas Lambert (of NZ’s Sonorous Circle) and set designer Oliver Morse (who built his own house!), we wrote the story that is The Basement Tapes together over one year. We are lucky to now be joined by producer Lydia Zanetti, from Zanetti Productions, as we bring our show halfway across the world for the first time.

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

Given the vibe of place I’ve got so far, I’d advise they stay at Summerhall and see Extinguished Things (as soon as we are over!), Sam Snedden’s livestream Running, Valerie by Last Tapes, and finish the night (or really begin?) by listening to the audio tour Happy Hour by Binge Culture.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: James Hancox: Sports for the Unsporty

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I bought a window box. It’s probably the most adult thing I’ve done.”

WHO: James Hancox, Performer

WHAT: “Do you have the heart of an athlete, but the skills of a toddler? Then this is the show for you! James Hancox is rubbish at sports. As a response he’s invented his own, and plans to unveil them to the world. Remember, if you can’t beat them, just make up a different game and beat them at that instead. Star of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and the award-winning Abandoman. ‘Lightning quick wit… has us all laughing uproariously’ ***** (GutterCulture.com). Nominated: Best Comedy Award, Fringe World Perth 2018.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square Theatre – The Bubble (Venue 8) 

WHEN: 16:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I’ve been to the Fringe four times before with Abandoman, but this is my first time solo!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I bought a window box. It’s probably the most adult thing I’ve done. I spent a weekend researching which plants grow in shady areas. Oh, and I was nominated for a comedy award (Perth Fringe World).

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Sports For The Unsporty. I’ve always been awful at sporting things, so this year I’ve decided to make up my own sports and teach them to Edinburgh. The sportmaking formula is quite simple as I see it: take an action; repeat that action for 90 minutes; get really good at it; become the face of crisps like Gary Lineker. The show is produced by Sharon Burgess Productions. I took it to Perth at the start of 2018, where it received 5 star reviews and a Comedy Award nomination.

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

JOEY PAGE, JOSH GLANC and KATIE PRITCHARD are all doing gloriously silly stuff at the moment. DAN ATTFIELD’s show last year was a funny blend of Google-based nerdery and musical comedy, so I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s show. If you like surreal games, check out ZAZUTINANY. Or for the perfect Fringe experience, go see the 6-ft bearded bombshell GINGZILLA in The Bubble (the same venue as me!)

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Dysney Disfunction

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“The show’s a heart-stopper. You’re going to be swept up in the magic of it all, but the rug is also going to be pulled from underneath you.”

WHO: Michelle Sewell, Writer/performer

WHAT: “In Brexit Britain happily ever after (and UK residency) is just a marriage visa away. But Australian Alice’s visa expires today and she’s only got Primark flats for glass slippers, an Oyster card for a pumpkin coach and a prince who won’t twerk. Love, Alice thinks, is a fairy tale. Visa-less and forced to return to a country she doesn’t call home anymore, she waits at the tube for Prince Charming to rescue her. Alice quickly learns love changes people and childhood stories have no place in the adult world. Created by Malcolm Bradbury Award winner Michelle Sewell.”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Front Room (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 15:40 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s the first time I’m bringing a show that I’ve written and performed in. Last year I came up on a StartEast mentorship programme working with British Showcase productions Rhum & Clay’s Testosterone, and had worked on Curious Directive’s Frogman.

Although the first time I ever performed a show at the Edinburgh Fringe was when I was eighteen and it was my first year in drama school in Sydney. I was chosen to be part of this show where I only had like two lines. Now I have fifty minutes to myself. I guess I have a lot more to say now. Haha!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

Finding out that I can’t renew my visa at the end of the year. That was a shock (to say the least…). It gave me the impetus to write this show and it has actually made me appreciate my life in the UK a whole lot more. It’s also made me consider that tear between your home home – being Australia for me- and my home – being Norwich in England. I’ve also been thinking about Tim tams a lot more than I probably should be.

Tell us about your show.

The show’s a heart-stopper. You’re going to be swept up in the magic of it all, but the rug is also going to be pulled from underneath you. The director, David Gilbert, has done an awesome job in building the show into a really enjoyable theatrical piece of drama.

I wrote the piece which started as a three minute performance with SOHO and The Barbican’s Stage at the Walthamstow Garden Party. This then became a five minute journey with Cambridge Junction, Vaults Festival and the Lyric Hammersmith. Now it’s a 50 minute Beast of a play. We’ve previewed at Theatre 503, Cambridge Junction and Norwich Arts Centre. This has been such an incredible experience being able to take the show across the UK.

We’re hoping to transfer it to Adelaide Fringe next year then West End (a girl can dream, yeah?).

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

Oh goodness, there’s so so many kick-ass shows this year. I would definitely say Weird and Dangerous Giant Animals- two one-woman shows that deal with disabilities, which I think are just going to be beautiful and stand out this Fringe. There’s some really great shows from our Norwich friends, Laughing Mirror, who are on at The Space- definitely go check them out! And F*ck you Pay Me at Assembly.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Rory O’Keeffe: The 37th Question

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I got a job writing interactive story apps, which has inspired the style of this year’s show.”

WHO: Rory O’Keeffe, Writer/Performer

WHAT: “Stuart and Zoe meet for their first date and do ‘The 36 Questions’, a psychological experiment designed to make strangers fall in love. It works. Now, after four years as a couple, is it time for the next question? Thirty Six Questions. One couple. One interactive Choose Your Own Adventure-style story. Award-winning comedian Rory O’Keeffe makes his first foray into the pretentious comedy/theatre world of storytelling (or Rorytelling*).‘Thoughtful and self-aware’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Comedy for a post-recession graduate generation’ **** (Fest). ‘Downright clever show’ **** (Edinburgh49.org). *He promises not to make this pun in the show.”

WHERE: Banshee Labyrinth – Cinema Room (Venue 156) 

WHEN: 13:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is actually my 10th time in some form or another. I have been re-reading last year’s Edinburgh diary to get myself excited. Here is a sample entry (background info: my girlfriend is called Charlotte).

“Walked home disconsolate, bought parmesan, rang Charlotte, basically just complained at her which is unfair.”

So needless to say I am ABSOLUTELY. PUMPED. (for the parmesan).

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

I got a job writing interactive story apps, which has inspired the style of this year’s show. The company make The X Factor Life and Love Island: The Game. They’re Choose Your Own Adventure style stories so you decide what happens and you choose your appearance and your name. Most people choose their own name but I like to mix things up and try to win Love Island as ‘Boris Johnson’ or ‘Stewart Lee’.

Tell us about your show.

‘The 37th Question’ is a comic storytelling show about a couple (Stuart and Zoe) who met doing ‘The 36 Questions’, a psychological experiment designed to make strangers become intimate. It’s about what happens 4 years later when they approach the ‘37th Question’. It’s about choices, jealousy, miscommunication, and has a lot of laughs if you are that way inclined. It’s also slightly interactive as the audience can choose which way the narrative goes at certain points, including choosing between a happy and sad ending.

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

Beard, Lazy Susan, The Pin if you’re into your sketch comedy. Matt Winning for a funny and insightful look at Climate Change. Kieran Hodgson for what sounds like a good Ted Heath impression (I will be Youtube-ing in advance to cross-reference). You should also check out the best novelist at the Fringe, Christopher Bliss. He writes two to three novels a day, which I think is really impressive actually.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Casanova Dreaming

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“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: Martin Foreman, Writer / Director

WHAT: “The greatest master is passion, who makes slaves of us all… Asleep in bed with his first true love, 19-year-old Giacomo Casanova is visited by an old man who shows him his future – but is what he sees a promise or a warning? In this one-act drama, award-winning playwright Martin Foreman casts a sympathetic eye on the famous libertine and the women in his life. Following previous Fringe successes (Now We Are Pope, Tadzio Speaks), Casanova Dreaming continues Foreman’s exploration of love, loss and death focused on the city of Venice.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Niddry St – Upper Theatre (Round) (Venue 139) 

WHEN: 14:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No. We’re Edinburgh-based and this is our third year at the Fringe. We started off with three one-man plays in 2014, took a year off in 2015, came back with J B Priestley’s The Rose and Crown in 2016. This year we have two very different productions – a one-act intense drama, Casanova Dreaming and a full-length farce, Volpone. Casanova, which explores the life of the famous libertine and the women and men who knew him, is getting its premiere at the Fringe. Volpone was at the Fringe for a week last year. The run was so successful we decided to bring it back for the full three weeks in 2018.

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

Winning the 2018 Pitlochry Festival Theatre Short Play Award. That and finding two great casts for this year’s Fringe.

Tell us about your show.

I’m the jack-of-all-trades producing, directing and writing both shows (with a little help from Ben Jonson for the original version of Volpone). We came together in the usual way – some of us have worked together both as part of Arbery Productions and in other Edinburgh based groups such as EGTG and Edinburgh People’s Theatre. Then we auditioned and found some fantastic actors, including the lead actors in Casanova Dreaming (Patrick Bergamo and Creighton King), both of whom moved to Edinburgh for rehearsals and the run.

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

Difficult to say because I haven’t seen anything, but based on previous Fringes, I’d recommend EGTG’s Skirt and Much Ado About Nothing, and Arkle’s You Remind Me of You – but they’re on at the same time as Volpone so go see them another night… I don’t know any of the groups on in the afternoon, but I’ll be checking out The Devil You Know from Nottingham New Theatre, Hamlet – Horatio’s Tale from Guy Masterson and (late night) The Maids from Sudden Impulse Theatre.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: How to Be Amazingly Happy!

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2018, Plus 3 2018 – Features by

“I’m the Director of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and so I usually come to choose show’s to bring back to the venue. This year I’ll be hoping people choose me!”

WHO: Victoria Firth, Writer and performer

WHAT: “How do you find a new ‘once upon a time’ after the ‘happy ever after’ never turned up? Victoria is on a quest to discover how you make a new life when you can’t have the one you imagined. In this big-hearted, big-thinking show of storytelling and physical comedy our heroine’s mid-life search for joy, identity and belonging features public displays of playfulness, private truths and sheer bloody mindedness. Join Victoria as she asks – what do you do with the rest of your life when you don’t have kids?”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Below (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 11:35 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first visit to the Edinburgh Fringe as a performer, well apart from over 20 years ago when I was in a youth theatre production of ‘The Hired Man’. I do come to Edinburgh most years as a programmer – I’m the Director of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and so I usually come to choose show’s to bring back to the venue. This year I’ll be hoping people choose me!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’17?

This year I decided to make theatre again and to go both feet in. I’ve been shadowing the Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange in Manchester, Sarah Frankom, learning to be a clown with Jamie Wood, trying out stand-up comedy with Logan Murray and making this show.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote and produced the show and I’ll be performing it. However it takes a lot of help to make a one-woman show and I’ve been delighted to have the support of Deborah Newbold, who won five star reviews with her show ‘Lost in Blue’ in 2016 and I’ve also had help from Ellie Harrison who has being producing a long running series of artworks on the theme of grief. They’ve both been enormously helpful in helping me explore different performance forms and the best ways to communicate with audiences.

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

It depends on what interested them about my show. If you want to explore ideas about the role of parenting, or not, then I’d recommend No Kids by Ad Infinitum or for more thought-provoking stuff on women’s empowerment and their bodies – Vessel by Laura Wyatt O’Keeffe. For a look at how medical issues have an impact or your life and perceptions then Pricks by Jade Byrne is a lovely show. For more queer experience go to see Gypsy Queen by Hope Theatre Company and for more fun and playfulness Love letters from Blackpool by Ruth E Cockburn is a joy.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!