“Nothing is a sure-fire success or failure, and audiences are always an unpredictable sort.”
WHO: Matt Anderson
WHAT: “Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, Matt Anderson’s Shotgunned is a relatable and intimate piece of theatre about how the people we lose can shape who we become. Described by The Stage as ‘a cleverly composed, superbly performed, achingly moving two-hander’. ***** (Stage). ‘Shotgunned is empathetic, heartfelt, and endearing all at once’ (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk). Following a sold-out run in 2024, Shotgunned returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the 2026 Made in Scotland showcase. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com”
WHERE: Studio Five at Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17)
WHEN: 15:10 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I’m originally from Aberdeenshire, now based in Glasgow, so I’m no stranger to Edinburgh. I have attended the Fringe more years than not, and whether I am bringing my own work or just coming along as a punter, always find it a highlight of my year.
Whenever I have a show on at the festival I always really enjoy it, though find it difficult to ever relax. Once the Fringe begins, it feels like it goes 24/7 until the end of the month, and so it’s hard to not make your brain operate the same way. Emails, events, flyering…. Honestly, the best cure is going out and seeing other shows, absorbing the talent around you, and remembering you and all the other artists are in this together.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
To not expect anything! When I was here producing a show in 2024, all of my expectations were subverted. This year, I thought I would know what was coming, but honestly, it has all been subverted again. Nothing is a sure-fire success or failure, and audiences are always an unpredictable sort.
Also – monitor your daily caffeine intake. If I’m not paying attention, I can go the whole day drinking coffee, which makes trying to get a good nights sleep a bit of a challenge. I’ve gotten better now at limiting myself to one in the morning and one in the afternoon, potentially a third if I’m having a “meeting” with someone. For some reason meetings are always over cups of coffee and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Tell us about your show.
Shotgunned is a time-hopping two hander, chronicling a young couple’s relationship and break-up. It is written and directed by me and stars two amazing actors – Lorna Panton and Fraser Allan Hogg, both from Scotland.
The play is being produced by Kangaroo Court Productions and Serpentine Productions, and this is its second time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2024, we were self-funded and had no real set, props, marketing, you name it. Despite that, we received some incredible five star reviews and won a Pleasance Pick of the Fringe award and a Scottish Theatre Award.
Now, we’re back at the Fringe as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase, with the hope that we are picked up for an international tour. The show is incredibly funny, heartbreaking, and universal in its exploration of love and loss. It has connected with older generations, teenagers, and first time theatre goers. It has also been published by Nick Hern Books, to coincide with our run this month.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Audiences should definitely go and see Common Tongue by Fraser Scott, an amazing monologue about Scots, language, and identity through accents.
Queen of the Empire by Sasha Snowdon is a really powerful story about a party girl dealing with addiction and grief. The run just finished but as audiences have been loving it, I think The Space has chosen it to come back for the last week of the Fringe in a new time slot.
I’m also really excited to see RockPools by Molly Windust and Behind Closed Doors by Studio Muiz Theatre.
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