“I love being here for the Fringe, it’s a wonderful atmosphere and the audiences are knowledgeable and supportive at the same time.”
WHO: Adrian Palmer
WHAT: “A fusion of storytelling and a one-person show, keeping as close as possible to the original text. Adrian Palmer performs his own adaptation of this mysterious but inspiring story. On a stormy night, three travellers arrive at an isolated cottage. Why is the first abroad so late? What’s the trade of the second that leaves a mark on his customers? And why is the third so terrified? A unique performance of a classic piece of literature from the incomparable Thomas Hardy. ‘An expressively superb Adrian Palmer, held the audience spellbound’ (Southern Daily Echo).”
WHERE: Paradise in Augustines – The Snug (Venue 152)
WHEN: 12:45 (55 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
No I’ve been here before as a performer in other people’s shows. I first came in 1980 in a production of The Caretaker by Harold Pinter and then again in 2016 in The Trial by Franz Kafka. I love being here for the Fringe, it’s a wonderful atmosphere and the audiences are knowledgeable and supportive at the same time. There’s a great buzz among the creatives too. It’s competitive of course but there is a genuine interest in sharing work and ideas that you don’t get anywhere else.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I wasn’t here in 2023 but the main change for me came during lockdown when I no longer had any work as an actor and so spent my time reading stories online to friends, family and then wider groups – book clubs, charities and clubs. This gave me the confidence to adapt and perform my own work and the work of other writers who I admire. Of whom Thomas Hardy is one of my favourites.
Tell us about your show.
I adapted the show from the short story by Thomas Hardy – The Three Strangers. It’s a great story. The first time I read it I was overwhelmed by the skill of the telling, the forcefulness of the story and the twist at the end. I read it in a prepared version a few times and decided that along with Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by R L Stevenson, I would bring it to Edinburgh to see if audiences here would appreciate it as much as I did. I’m glad to say that they definitely seem to. I have been very pleased with the reaction I have had from the performances in Paradise at Augustines here and the very supportive comments I have had from audience reviewers.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I like flyering here. It’s a great way to meet your audience face to face. You get some rejections but many times people are interested in what you are doing and only too willing to stop and chat. I also stop and talk with other performers who are selling their wares and generally we swap flyers. I sort out the ones I am interested in and will try and see as many as possible in the course of the three weeks of the festival.
Three shows I have particularly enjoyed so far are –
Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act
A Balloon Will Pop
Zelda and Hadley: Together at Last
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