“A number of my plays have been translated and produced in German-speaking countries, so maybe the cast will be taking crash courses in Deutsch soon.”
WHO: Brian Parks
WHAT: “It’s a Grave Business. Infamy, riches, and the darkest secrets of the city collide in this fast-paced comedy by two-time Fringe First winner Brian Parks (‘A refreshingly mischievous, inventive author'(Times)). A clandestine cabal of misfits attempt their ultimate heist. Will these agents of the night seize the coveted prize, or bury themselves? A hilarious world premiere directed by Fringe First winner Margarett Perry and Natalie Tell, starring Matthew Boston, Mark Boyett, Brian Dykstra and Kate Siahaan-Rigg. From the team behind Fringe 2023 show Shortlist: ‘Perfectly crafted, deeply intelligent and supremely witty’ (Scotsman); ‘Immerse yourself in Perry’s direction’ (GetYourCoatsOn.com).”
WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Front Room (Venue 117)
WHEN: 14:10 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This will actually be my tenth show in Edinburgh. My first was back in 2000, with my play “Americana Absurdum,” which is a two-part, crazy surreal comedy with nine actors. The first part is about an attempted takeover of a family-run funeral parlour, the second about the bizarre and comic goings-on after an airliner crash. Both dark comedies, perhaps needless to say. We won a Fringe First for that production and had a fine first Edinburgh experience. Among my other past shows in the festival were my 2017 business comedy “Enterprise,” which also won a Fringe First; my real-estate comedy “The House” in 2018; and my show last year, “Shortlist” – about two longtime enemy novelists vying for the biggest literary award.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
“Absorbing a lesson” sounds like we’re now a slightly damp sponge. But yes, we certainly do learn things with every Edinburgh production. “Shortlist” was perhaps the most bare-bones production of my shows in Edinburgh, and it was great to see how well simple can work. “Plotters” is a bit more complicated but will be staged in a similar style. Also since 2023, I’ve learned – the accidental hard way – that the Tennent’s in Italy has more than twice the alcohol content as the Tennent’s in Scotland. But perhaps that’s off-topic.
Tell us about your show.
“Plotters” is a fast-paced heist comedy with a dark edge, which we’re doing at Assembly on George Street. The play is set in the 19th century, and follows a clandestine criminal firm as they attempt their biggest, most infamous job. I wrote it. It’s directed by Margarett Perry and Natalie Tell and performed by Matthew Boston, Mark Boyett, Brian Dykstra, and Kate Rigg. Twilight Theatre company is the producer; we’re all based in NYC. This is the show’s official world premiere, and it was specifically written to debut in Edinburgh. After Scotland, who knows? A number of my plays have been translated and produced in German-speaking countries, so maybe the cast will be taking crash courses in Deutsch soon.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m naturally eager to see our sister show “Polishing Shakespeare.” It’s also a Twilight Theatre production, written by Brian Dykstra and featuring some of the same actors as “Plotters.” Another NYC company, the Barrow Group, is staging “Lost…Found,” a charming piece written and performed by K. Lorrel Manning (at Assembly Roxy); the Barrow Group was at the festival last year for their first time, with Scott Organ’s terrific “17 Minutes.” Among others, I’m curious to see “Leni’s Last Lament,” a piece about Leni Riefenstahl that’s also at Assembly on George Street. The piece is directed by Richard Caliban, who staged one of my most favorite productions ever, Mac Wellman’s “Crowbar.” The play was mounted in a then-decrepit Broadway theater and was a kind of ghost story about that theater itself. “All theaters are haunted” went the chorus of its main song. Very true.
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Get Your Coats On 