“I’ve never been able to work with a director at such an early stage of a piece, and the chance to do so this time has paid off massively.”
WHO: John McEwan-Whyte
WHAT: “Photon StarBlaster is a renegade galactic agent on a mission. But when his spaceship malfunctions and sets course to self-destruct, he is thrown into his most dangerous journey yet. Will he be able to make it home? Based on the playwright’s own childhood experiences, this fast-paced new play explores the generational fallout of suicide, and how we reach for the stars when the ground beneath us gets too much. A C ARTS Spark Fund winner.”
WHERE: C ARTS | C venues | C aquila – studio (Venue 21)
WHEN: 13:45 (45 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I am currently residing in Edinburgh and working as a filmmaker.ival, the city t However, duringransforms into an entirely different world. The the Fringe festatmosphere is electric, and the meadows resemble the Wastelands from Mad Max. It’s a time when everyone is discussing and immersing themselves in art. Although the world cannot sustain this level of energy for an extended period, Edinburgh manages to uphold it for a month, and it’s truly amazing.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Since 2022 I’ve learnt rice is grown, Vienna and Venice aren’t the same place, and a Dutch man doesn’t come from Deutchland. Artistically, I’ve learned how important a collaborative creative team is in making a piece of theatre. I’ve never been able to work with a director at such an early stage of a piece, and the chance to do so this time has paid off massively. The piece is faster, more propulsive, but (most important) has a clear idea of what it wants to say. This is due to the fact that my director trusts me, I trust my director and (a very big one) we don’t have egos. I know my place in the room, but that doesn’t mean once in a while (politely) I can speak about something on the direction side of things, especially when I’m so open about parts of the script the director doesn’t think works. You’re both trying to make the best thing, trust that.
Tell us about your show.
I’m John McEwan-Whyte, a filmmaker based in Edinburgh, who, due to a full-time job (that usually fills up weekends), had to write this piece over a three-day holiday. It was based on an idea I’ve had for a while and one my director (Debi Pirie, who I studied with and is absolutely killing it in the theatre directing world) liked the sound of. We got three days of R&D with the very generous Traverse, before performing a reading. The reading got us some investment and since then we’ve been trying to do as much as we can from the generosity of one fantastic theatre maker. If all goes well (funding wise) we are working with the Aberdeen Arts Centre to carry out a September performance in Aberdeen, and then aim to perform at a Play, Pie and a Pint.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
There’s a big new thing this festival called the Femifringe. It has been set up by one of my amazing friends, and fellow writer, Rachel O’Regan. After some stinking chat from male creators being frustrated at the amount of female-led theatre companies a group of like minded individuals decided to create a community that champions non-binary and female creativity at Edinburgh Fringe and in the theatre industry (you can help support them here: https://greenlit.com/project/2023-femifringe-guide). Part of their program is one of my favourite pieces I saw last year, “the Beatles were a boyfriend”, funny, thought-provoking but hugely entertaining (everything you want in a good show). Also, if you’re in the mood for more sci-fi, the George Lucas Podcast is in Edinburgh this year, I’m def going to be trying to make it to see them.
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