“I love how good your show gets in the doing it every day for a month.”
WHO: Niall Moorjani
WHAT: “Strapped to a cannon, an Indian rebel finds themselves answering to a British officer for the crimes of Kanpur – an Indian uprising against British colonial forces. Based on historical events, this new play comically satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence, and making art in times of crisis. Written by and starring ‘storytelling genius’ ***** (Scotsman) Niall Moorjani and co-directed by and starring Jonathan Oldfield, director of 2024’s Best Newcomer Award-winning show. But who is the hero and who is the villain? Whatever happens, it’s going to be explosive. Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund.”
WHERE: Beneath at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
WHEN: 15:40 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
It’s my 6th festival as a performer and 9th as a worker, I’ve been going since 2009 and still love the festival so much. Whilst it’s flawed and has so many issues to solve, I still feel so much joy at all the amazing work there is to see and I love how good your show gets in the doing it every day for a month.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I guess I’ve learned to believe in my work a lot more and to challenge myself and audiences a little more. It’s good to be on the edge of your seat both artistically and as an audience member. Like so many of us, I deal with some form of imposter syndrome still all the time, but I do feel like I’m starting to feel like I belong at fringe.
Tell us about your show.
So I (Niall Moorjani) wrote it and have sort of been lead artist on the project with the amazing Emily Ingram producing with me. I put the team together, the amazing Jonathan Oldfield was the only person I had in mind to co-direct and perform with me. Quickly after consultation with our wonderful dramaturg Nikita Gill we learned that we needed live music and turned to the brilliant sodhi for his tabla magic. Mohammed Tonsey provided sensitivity consultancy and Helen Coyston did the set and costume design. Then we were incredibly lucky to win the Charlie harthill award with plesance and have been working with them ever since. The show has had 4 previews so far, including Soho rising and the Scottish international storytelling festival but will premiere officially at fringe, afterwards we are heading to Pleasance for two shows in the London main house theatre, I’m buzzing and who knows where next.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Gods so many amazing things, ok, Lorna Rose Treen, Kathy Manura, Sanjay Lago, xhloe and Natasha and Nish Kumar’s show brought me to tears last fringe in the best way, please go see it.
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