Festival Previews Video Blog

Today we interview Rebecca Smith, Director of Don Carlos from SEDOS, the Stockbrokers’ own in-house Drama Society. Returning to Edinburgh this year, SEDOS are playing Schiller’s romantic tragedy, an intense drama about flawed personalities, the blindness of love, the tyranny of power and the championing of Spain’s oppressed peoples. A highly challenging play but not a show to miss!

Don Carlos is on at C Cubed, Venue 50 from Sunday 17th to Saturday 23rd August at 5.55 pm daily. So let’s speak with Rebecca to learn more about her and their play, Don Carlos…

1. What inspired you to become a Director?

I think after spending years looking after the money and helping other directors achieve their visions as the producer of countless shows I began to build up a clear idea of what I thought about interesting and engaging theatre. I love truly theatrical productions such as Complicite’s work and the recent Brief Encounter. Seeing some really awesome professional theatre recently such as Cheek By Jowl’s Troillus and Cressida and the National Theatre’s Blackwatch has helped shape the kind of stuff I’d like to create.

2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show?

Don Carlos is Schiller’s classic tale of love, treachery, passions and murder set in the court of King Philip of Spain at the time of the Inquisition. We’ve been lucky enough to secure Mike Poulton’s brilliant new pacey adaption, the version I saw at Wynhams a few years back that made me want to do the show in the first place. I hope our audiences will be enthralled by 90 minutes of thrilling dramatic theatre, directed with an engaging and creative vision.

3. What is your favourite festival or fringe?

Edinburgh simply can’t be matched in terms of atmosphere. This will be my fourth year up here and I hope to continue to come for many years.

In terms of other festivals I finally made it to Glastonbury this year, not exactly the same thing but the comedy tent was excellent and I’d really like to see it become more of a ‘thing’ there..

4. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers on the festival circuit?

As a director my advice to other directors would be to think very carefully about your choice of show. Don’t forget the sheer size of the fringe and work as hard as you can and as long as you can in advance to work on promotion to get those people to come and see you…. The competition for those bums is huge!!

5. What is your funniest experience and also your worst experience performing or attending a festival?

Funniest experience was watching Jason Byrne last year. He was hilarious but watching my friend trying not to have a hernia laughing was even more so… Worst experience was catching a horrific cold one year about 2 days in and having to miss a whole day of fun recovering….

6. As you travel performing, where is your favourite place to vacation/chill out and why?

My parents cottage in North Yorkshire is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I know. And as it is en route back from Edinburgh, if the perfect stop off venue to recuperate after the madness, sleep and give your liver a rest.

7. Who is the person you most admire and why?

Elizabeth I. The ultimate woman in a man’s world. The Golden Age!

8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?

Putting ice cubes in your gravy gets rid of the fat…

9. What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?

Katherine by Anya Seyton, beautifully written and full of love romance and easily accessible history! Perfect!

10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Homeless people break my heart. I’d love to find the means to give everyone a place they could call home.

In the spotlight today we welcome, Vanessa B. Baylen, creator of the show, Death By Chocolate”. Showing at the Zoo Southside venue throughout the duration of the Fringe Festival, Death By Chocolate is an interactive murder mystery plus lots of lovely jubbly chocolate! Vanessa’s show was sold out at this year’s Adelaide Fringe and last years 2007 Melbourne Fringe, so let’s learn more about Vanessa and her show….

1. What inspired you to become a creative artist, and writer?

I’ve always had a passion for the arts. It’s not in my blood, or anything, but I’ve always been creative. Unlike others, I was fortunate to be encouraged to follow my passion, do what I love, and so I’ve always pursued a career in the arts. I’m a Jill of all creative trades and I enjoy dabbling across everything. Starting my own company, creating my own genre of show and doing all the roles to make that happen – keeps me busy and happy (or happy and busy…?)

2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

“Death By Chocolate” is an interactive murder mystery with chocolate tasting. Audiences should expect to be flung head first into a truly interactive experience. They will be challenged, mentally stimulated, have fun, meet people, and eat chocolate. All our audience members become detectives who are briefed on the chocolate-crime and have the remaining time to try and solve it. They can interview the suspects, decode the clues, sample the chocolate… anything is possible. There is no stage, no separation of actor and audience, and they may become fully immersed in the show.

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

We have a character who is a total asshole – we’ve had audiences who actually cheer him on. They actually said “treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen”. Funniest? It was pretty awesome when a passing policewoman came into the show and thought some of the action was real.

4. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

We performed in Adelaide in 2008 (Feb-Mar). It was hot. As in, record-heat- wave hot. Besides that: it was awesome – had a great cast and crew and miss them terribly.

5. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?

You have to put in much more work than anyone will ever give you credit for. You have to face/ignore close-minded people who won’t understand you. You have to have a lot of discipline and drive and be a self starter. And, after surviving all of that, you’ll find yourself in the most lucrative of positions: spending all your time doing what you love doing. And that’s worth it.

6. Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?

Of course!

7. What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

To believe in myself more, and, I’m trying.

8. What is the best book or books you have read and why do you like them?

Last year I decided to be risky and actually have a favourite author: Richard Bach. I like his novels because they’re about life, lessons, people, and hope. More related to the show, I’d highly recommend curling up with Graeme Base’s “The Eleventh Hour” (a picture book). Finally, once I publish my novel (“Sara Mist”) I’d highly recommend you read that

9. Who is the person you most admire and why?

Living or dead? I suppose I most admire the inner strength and resilience my mom had. The guts to fight for what she believed in. A big enough heart to handle child-me. The honesty to self-assess. And an open mindedness to whatever was thrown her way.

10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

There are the practical answers and the idyllic ones. I suppose at the end of the day I’d leave it be – faults remind us to appreciate the rest. Or… maybe make people more tolerant of each other. And make customs change the rules so my pets could travel with me.

Today we interview the wonderfully witty Welsh comedian, Tudur Owen who is performing his one-man show, “The Worst Zoo in Britain” at the the most appropriately named venue of them all - THE ZOO VENUES!! He is on daily at 5.15 pm in the early evenings throughout the duration of the Edinburgh Fringe. So, let’s chat with Tudur to find out more about him and his show….

1. What inspired you to become a writer, comedian and entertainer and performer?

I was kind of forced into being a comedian. I used to be a studio floor manager working on TV shows in Wales. One evening the warm up comedian hadn’t turned up so the director ordered me to “just make the audience laugh”. They did laugh and I loved it! Eventually I told the director where he could stick his job and became a Writer and performer and I still love it.

2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

I will be telling the true story behind a newspaper headline. “The News of The World” once had a front page headline which read “The Worst Zoo in Britain”. Under the headline were three pictures, a depressed monkey in a cage, an annoyed lion and a fourteen year old me! It’s a story which has remained untold, and kept as a shameful family secret – until now! No animals were harmed during the making of this story – just a bit upset.

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

My first language is Welsh, and one of my worst experiences was having being booked to do a gig in Welsh, turning up at the venue to find that none of the audience could understand a word of it. The funniest experience was during that same night when I decided I would do the gig in Welsh and have the organiser on stage with me to translate it into English. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen and I think the audience agreed.

4. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

My last festival was the National Eisteddfod of Wales. It’s when we all get together for a week in a field and celebrate everything Welsh – except our football team ….. and Janet Street Porter ….. and Rhyl.

5. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?

Don’t give up and be nice to everyone you meet – unless you get a chance to meet Anne Robinson.

6. Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfil?

I want to go on The Weakest Link.

7. What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

“Just make them laugh” – I try.

8. What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?

My favourite book is always the last one I’ve read. I’ve just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – I cried for three hours!

9. Who is the person you most admire and why?

The headline act at any comedy club. They have been on a hell of a journey.

10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Make it international law, so that any politician or world leader who makes the decision to go to war must then lead their troops into battle. Right behind you Tony!

Today we are privileged to interview the ex-Blue Peter presenter, Stuart Mills whose solo show, The Adventures of Pink Peter is a unique send up of the famous “sticky-back plastic” children’s show, Blue Peter. He is on at the Sweet Venue, Teviot Place throughout the duration of the Fringe from 6.30 in the early evening. If you love Blue Peter or not, the Adventures of Pink Peter present an exotic change, so let’s learn more about Stuart and his three woman show…

1 What inspired you to become a comedian?

I would say first and foremost I am a TV and Radio Broadcaster who has developed a passion for writing and performing stand-up comedy. I guess the influence for my cross-dressing comedy would have to be some of the greats like Barry Humphries, Matt Lucas and Paul O’Grady. I’ve discovered that cross-dressing on the radio works really well!

2 What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

The show is camp and fabulous, a tribute to my cross dressing stand-up comedy which I have been performing for the past three years. It features:

- Stella, cut price fashionista…“she fell off the catwalk straight into Primark”;

- Annette Curtan, who due to her tragic accident and the resulting prosthetic finger has now devoted her life to charity and will make a special appeal;

- Dr Noreen McAvity, who following a disastrous career in cosmetic surgery has turned to the art of Vegetable Cosmetic surgery.

Plus there’s a surprise appearance at the end of the show by Miss Vera Singleton, the estranged sister of Valerie Singleton one of the first ever Blue Peter Presenters!

3 What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Funniest was taking a woman’s newly bought clothes out of her bag from the audience, going backstage, trying it all on and then walking back on stage in her brand new outfit…she wasn’t happy!

The worst was having to get changed in a gents toilet and having to walk into the cubicle as a man and walk out as a woman!

4 What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

I have been coming to the Edinburgh fringe for the past three years performing bits and pieces but mainly just having a great time. I love being around all those performers and with everyone in one place it’s such a supportive atmosphere. This year with 21 shows I think I’ll be the one needing the support.

5 What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?

Just get up there and do it - its the only way you learn. Reading stuff on a page and thinking you know it is fine but it feels very different when you are on stage performing it. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

6 Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?

To be honest at the moment I feel I have taken on all I can what with this show and a daily radio show. I am sure when it is over I will sit down and go “Right. What’s next?”

7 What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Someone told me writing a full length show for Edinburgh is like writing two episodes of a soap. I think that was great advice. I just need a cliffhanger now!

8 What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?

I loved Julian Clary’s ‘A Young man’s Passage’ because it really conveys the pain and the pleasure of gigging early on in your career. Especially if you are doing something a bit out there or different. I can really relate to that.

9 Who is the person you most admire and why?

I admire anyone who has the guts to stand up and do what they believe in. I tend not to put one person on a pedestal as they tend always to end up involved in some sort of scandal…. you know, like all those ex-Blue Peter Presenters!

10 If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Everyone should be naked… so no more Primark… Wars would look like orgies and we’d all have a laugh at the royal family!

Today we interview Liz Rothschild, writer and sole performer of Another Kind of Silence. Liz tackles the fascinating story of Rachel Carson, writer and ecologist and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Important People of the Century. Liz’s one-woman show is both shocking and beautiful and acutely topical in today’s world. She is on at the Hill Street Theatre from the 1st to the 24th August at 3.40 in the afternoon. So let’s learn more about Liz and her show…

1 What inspired you to become a writer and performer?

Being moved by work that I saw and read and knowing it was a way of helping me understand life and trying to make changes.

2 What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It’s the story of Rachel Carson, an inspirational woman whose discoveries changed the way people in the sixties thought, and whose work remains as critically important today. A chance to experience the complexity and beauty of the world around us.

3 What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

- Tripping up three times after making an entrance for no obvious reason and when not under the influence of alcohol. By the third time you could tell the audience had lost all confidence in my ability to stand up.

- Appearing between the wrong two flats when crossing the stage and so being briefly featured running through an ornate 18th century fireplace!

- We were talking about how girls fight physically and the director said show us to one girl who promptly gave me two black eyes. That night on stage I had to say “No-one messes with me.” to the sound of universal laughter.

- Falling out of the back of a small theatre in the Lakes having gone outside to get some fresh air forgetting we were two metres off the ground and so having to clamber back in hearing the lines getting nearer and nearer to my entrance.

- Yes, these are all true!

4 What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

Approximately 1980 and it was great fun and very hard work and dramatic because our show was stopped by the Brecht Estate on grounds it had infringed copyright.

5 What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?

Do what you believe in and work hard at it. Then whatever response you get you know you have stayed true to your own intentions.

6 Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?

Just more work, better work, new influences, new colleagues to work with, exploring what theatre can do.

7 What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Buy something with your first acting wage. Don’t just pay the gas bill. I bought a pair of walking boots.

8 What is the best book or books you have read and why do you like it/them?

‘Silent Spring’ of course by Rachel Carson because it is beautifully written, cogently argued, groundbreaking, and puts hard truths before you in a way that keeps you wanting to act – not to run away and put your head in the gas oven.

9 Who is the person you most admire and why?

Apart from Rachel Carson. This could become monotonous. I really admire Nelson Mandela for the way he kept his courage through all the years of captivity and for the way he has avoided all rancour and thirst for revenge since being in government in his retirement. He always demands the truth, for example now on the AIDS issue, even being prepared to challenge his own government.

10 If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

That we all could really trust one another and accept the value of difference.