“We risk losing brilliant, diverse voices simply because they can’t afford to be here. Festivals like the Fringe should be places where talent, not privilege, determines who gets to tell their story.”
WHO: Kitty Falcon
WHAT: “The meditation retreat is supposed to help them find inner peace. Dad (Patrick O’Donnell, Vikings:Valhalla) is out of place from get-go. He’s loud, rebellious and charming in a way that has everyone rolling their eyes, including his daughter (Kitty Falcon). Inspired by true events, this haunting tragi-comedy will leave you reflecting on the silence that divides us and what healing really means. Could those brief moments of laughter and connection ultimately be what saves us? Winner of Farnham Maltings Emerging Artist Award and Community Award 2025. In partnership with Dad La Soul, Papyrus and Start The Conversation.”
WHERE: Anatomy Lecture Theatre at Summerhall (Venue 26)
WHEN: 14:45 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
No! I’ve been to the Fringe a number of times before, working on street teams with Berk’s Nest and performing at C venues, so it’s a place that already feels really special to me. Every year I leave feeling inspired by the sheer amount of creativity around me. I love taking a chance on shows I’ve never heard of, meeting people from all over the world and celebrating theatre in all its forms. As financial support continues to shrink, it’s becoming harder and harder for emerging artists and independent companies to afford to bring work to Edinburgh. We risk losing brilliant, diverse voices simply because they can’t afford to be here. Festivals like the Fringe should be places where talent, not privilege, determines who gets to tell their story. There’s nowhere quite like it for reminding you why live performance matters.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
The past year has been a crash course in producing theatre. I’ve learnt about every area of putting on a show, from fundraising and marketing to building the right creative team and turning an idea into a professional production. More than anything, I’ve learnt the importance of community: trusting your collaborators, being loyal to the people around you, asking for help and being brave enough to share your story with purpose. I don’t think I’ve fully absorbed all those lessons yet, but I’m definitely carrying them with me into whatever comes next.
Tell us about your show.
Sitting (In Silence) was written by me, Kitty Falcon, and is produced by Shelley Hasseldine, Angela O’Callaghan, Isabelle Tyner and myself through Terracotta Productions. Terracotta was
co-founded by Philip Ofe and me after we met on the Kiln Theatre’s Listen Local Young Writers Programme. We both wanted to create work that opens up conversations around issues affecting in-need communities through bold, accessible storytelling. Philip’s play, Spontaneous Meets Is Not for the Weak, at The Hope Theatre, will support conversations around young carers, while Sitting (In Silence) has been developed alongside suicide prevention charities and organisations working to improve mental health awareness. That shared purpose is at the heart of everything we make. This production premiered at Brighton Fringe, where it won the Mid Street Lab Community Award and the Farnham Maltings Emerging Artist Award. After Edinburgh, we’re hoping for a London transfer (Soho Theatre would be a dream) and I am also developing the story for television.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I’m excited to see Jack Rooke’s Good Grief after watching the magnificent Big Boys. Sarah Roberts’ Scary Movie 7 is guaranteed to be brilliantly chaotic and laugh-out-loud funny. I’d also recommend Heart Beats Strong at the Pleasance. One of my favourite things about the Fringe is discovering work by artists you might not know yet, so make room in your schedule for a few wild-card shows too!
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