10 Questions: An Interview with Colin David Reese
Today we extend a warm welcome to the immensely talented, Colin David Reese. This is Colin’s first Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the “Athens of the North”. A passion for Shakespeare, Colin’s show, Gift to the Future explores Shakespeare’s theatrical colleague who collected the scattered writings of Shakespeare’s work.
Gift to the Future is on at the Sweet Venue, Teviot Place from the 31st July to the 16th August starting at 6pm daily. So let’s speak with Colin to learn more…
1. What inspired you to become a writer, actor and performer?
My first performance on stage was at the age of 5. At 12 I played Shakespeare’s (illegitimate) son in a musical fantasy based loosely on his life. I guess I just never really envisaged doing anything else.
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Gift To The Future is a celebration of the unsung people who render genius available to the world. Not many people outside of Shakespeare studies have heard of John Heminges but, according to my play, without him a large proportion of Shakespeare’s plays would have been lost. Heminges was a co-worker, member of the company and, given that plays were held in such low esteem at the time, took an enormous risk in time and resources to ensure that these masterpieces were preserved. The play takes the audience into Heminges’s world and shows the inside workings of the theatre of the time.
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
In a Somerset Maugham play, the leading man, having discovered that a young man is having an affair with his wife, calls him on stage to confront him. Unseen by the husband, as the young man enters and closes the door, a large door knob comes off in his hand. The husband’s next line is “Has it ever occurred to you, young man, that you are destroying my home?”
4. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
This is my first festival and I am both a bit scared and highly excited to be part of such a large celebration of the performing arts.
5. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?
Solid training is essential. Only through technique can an artist realise his/her potential.
6. Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?
Yes. Alceste in La Misanthrope, Iago, Lear and (a real dream) to direct a production of Macbeth using rock concert techniques and technology.
7. What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
To not let your opinion of yourself be influenced by what you think other people’s opinion of you is. In the first place you are probably wrong about their opinion and secondly if you are aware of who you really are, you will achieve your potential. This is as true for a performing artist as for life in general. Yes, I live by this every day.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why do you like them?
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare … what else ?
9. Who is the person you most admire and why?
Nelson Mandela. After 30 years in prison, to emerge and still have his humanity and integrity intact remains for me the most exemplary illustration of what we are all capable of, if we make the effort not to fall into the trap of comfortable emotions
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
The President of the United States!
