Collision Theatre are a Manchester based theatre group who, with the help of Citadel’s sponsorship, have been performing 2 new plays at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
As their first show comes to an end at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we caught up with members of the cast to reflect on their experience of this year’s festival, and their handover with handy tips for the cast of the second show.
‘A Naff Play About Spies’, written and directed by Sebastian Moulds ran 2-10 August. Performing at 23.15 each night can be an unforgiving timeslot , but in the words of one fringe reviewer: “this cast kept the energy high throughout”. For another, “the audience are left with no option but to laugh, gasp and maybe even cry”.
Cry? Brace yourself for their second show ‘Letters From My Dad (Who Is Dead)’ directed by Michael Bryceson: 12-18 August, 11.00 at C Venues Aquila Studio, Edinburgh.
So, what are those top tips for performing at the Fringe? – we asked the cast.
Street-wise
The cast teams up into two’s or three’s and flyer within a 2 hour slot each day, a roster that allows us to make the most out of our 24 hours without burning out. And it’s not easy to approach strangers in the street, even for confident character performers! Each has their own technique.
“Personally, my favourite place to flyer is at the tail end or halfway up The Royal Mile, and my attention-grabbing line is ‘Ever fancied joining MI5?’ It’s such an intimidating task, but it’s a brilliant way to tackle any rejection based fears head on, as you have some genuinely lovely interactions and prove to yourself that the world won’t crumble if someone doesn’t want your friendly bit of paper.”
Fear Of Missing Out
It can be overwhelming deciding what to watch at the Fringe, so the cast has been grounding ourselves in going to support our friends from the Big Apple (Manchester) and then dividing off to do our own thing.
“I’ve seen such a range of plays, from Italians in England – a classic Commedia DelL’Arte performance complete with authentic masks, hilarious caricatures and long distance slaps, to Disco Dick, an accidental coming out story involving a himbo dad and a sparkly, light up strap-on and finally, to My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do), featuring dazzling musical numbers and such authentic familial love and support that I was sobbing.”
Hold Your Friends Close
It’s a full-on experience. You may not have known your fellow cast and production members before your audition and rehearsal. Now you live and work together 24/7 reliant on the stage and after. It’s the cast and creative team that help make your Fringe experience so fun. When you’re throwing yourself into a situation as intense as the Edinburgh Fringe it will shock nobody that things get stressful at times.
“Being surrounded and supported by the loveliest group of people I know and trust completely means that we haven’t been taking those stresses out on each other, and even in the harder moments there’s nobody else I’d rather be here with.”
Live Every Moment
It takes many hours of rehearsals, production, marketing and fundraising before you get to Edinburgh. Then such an intensive, adrenaline-pumping time on stage. Improvisational skills are often tested by prop mishaps and the occasional spillage, but the skill of the actors, means that anything can be played for an even bigger laugh – or add to the drama that brings an audience to tears.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with the joyous responses of the audiences — especially exciting are the audible gasps at each plot twist, it’s so exciting to have our audiences so invested and involved. It feels like we’re building a lovely Naff Community!”
Don’t Forget To Eat
Budgets are tight and city-living expensive, working away from home. Nerves can kick in – for flyering as well as performing! – and you feel like you’re running on air. Yet stay fuelled and you’ll find a favourite haunt to eat that you’ll go back to more than once.
“I would personally recommend Piemaker to anyone and everyone who finds themselves in the South Bridge area. I have sampled both the macaroni cheese pie and the vegetarian haggis pie, at very reasonable prices for delicious pastries that you don’t find in every other bakery.”
Time-Out
It’s brilliant being able to see so many new productions all in one place, but if you get overwhelmed by the options or are wiped out from your own performance, there’s no harm at all in prioritising your well-being and taking yourself off for a little nap and/or reset.
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself! Having the confidence and commitment to take your show to the Fringe is already a huge achievement, that’s the hardest part.”
And Finally
It’s those who stand with you and support behind the scenes that can make all the difference to your show and personal experiences. The venue staff who keep things running smoothly and sets nerves at ease. And the production team who keep everything in order, on schedule and who fix any problems so you don’t have to worry.
“Our wonderful executive producer Thea wrangled our various plans and preferences into a flexible schedule for both flyering and going to support our fellow Manchester-based shows, which was no mean feat.”
Catch the last performance of ‘A Naff Play About Spies’ on 10 August at 23:15, at The Annexe at Symposium Hall.
See ‘Letters From My Dad (Who Is Dead)’ on 12-18 August, 11.00 at C Venues Aquila Studio, Edinburgh._
Citadel 