As part of our Edinburgh Fringe 2024 coverage, we are running a series of interviews with artists and creatives that are taking part in the festival.
In this interview, we speak to Rachel E. Thorn about Me For You.
Where did your arts career begin?
I trained as an actress at Drama Studio London but I knew pretty quick that I wanted to make my own work, so I started writing. Now as well as writing plays like Me For You, I write comedy, sometimes for stage but mainly for BBC Radio 4.
What can you tell me about your show?
Me For You is about going on a mission to save the human race! But are we worth saving? Holly tried using a bamboo toothbrush but it didn’t reverse global warming, so she’s joined Extinction Rebellion. If only her girlfriend would join too. This is a play about love - in the face of overwhelming evidence that we’re a despicable race of selfish parasites.
Me For You is about going on a mission to save the human race! But are we worth saving? Holly tried using a bamboo toothbrush but it didn’t reverse global warming, so she’s joined Extinction Rebellion. If only her girlfriend would join too. This is a play about love - in the face of overwhelming evidence that we’re a despicable race of selfish parasites.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Pure live theatre! We can’t compete with film when it comes to special effects, but I think theatre wins hands down when it comes to experience. That’s why when I was writing Me For You I focused on maximising the connection between the audience and the performers.
Pure live theatre! We can’t compete with film when it comes to special effects, but I think theatre wins hands down when it comes to experience. That’s why when I was writing Me For You I focused on maximising the connection between the audience and the performers.
How have you approached developing the piece?
I started writing Me For You pre-Covid. It grew out of a piece on the theme of “hope” that I was asked to write for a rapid response theatre company in Sheffield. Like all of us, its life was interrupted by the pandemic, and when I came back to it, I discovered that the world was a different place. So the play grew and developed, and here we are.
I started writing Me For You pre-Covid. It grew out of a piece on the theme of “hope” that I was asked to write for a rapid response theatre company in Sheffield. Like all of us, its life was interrupted by the pandemic, and when I came back to it, I discovered that the world was a different place. So the play grew and developed, and here we are.
How do/will you prepare yourself for a run at the Fringe?
I’m very lucky in that I have a Yorkshire tour to Slung Low and Red Ladder venues immediately before our Edinburgh run, so my focus is 100% Me For You this summer.
I’m very lucky in that I have a Yorkshire tour to Slung Low and Red Ladder venues immediately before our Edinburgh run, so my focus is 100% Me For You this summer.
Other than the show, what’s something you’re looking forward to doing in Edinburgh this year?
I just love clown. I’ve had some amazing training with Spy Monkey and Lucy Hopkins over the last year. I find the skills so useful for creativity and performing, even if your end goal doesn’t remotely resemble a clown show. So I’ll be checking out the masters, including Elf Lyons, Paul Currie and Lil Wenker’s Bangtail.
I just love clown. I’ve had some amazing training with Spy Monkey and Lucy Hopkins over the last year. I find the skills so useful for creativity and performing, even if your end goal doesn’t remotely resemble a clown show. So I’ll be checking out the masters, including Elf Lyons, Paul Currie and Lil Wenker’s Bangtail.
What keeps you inspired?
Seeing everybody else’s amazing work at fringe festivals!
Seeing everybody else’s amazing work at fringe festivals!
What do you hope an audience takes away from seeing the show?
I hope audiences leave with a feeling of hope. Despite the utter agony of being alive and the pure selfishness of true love.
I hope audiences leave with a feeling of hope. Despite the utter agony of being alive and the pure selfishness of true love.
Where can audiences see the show?
Pleasance Courtyard, 1-25th August, 18:10pm.
https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/me-you
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