In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, Andy Linden discusses their show Baxter vs The Bookies.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
My one-man play explores the fluctuating fortunes of a down trodden horse racing tipster, called Baxter. He’s the ultimate underdog, royally squashed down by life, but always believing that a big win is just around the corner. He pits his up-close racetrack knowledge of horses against the anaemic firepower of the modern bookies, with their flashy computer stats. But no one ever beats The Bookies. Do they?
My one-man play explores the fluctuating fortunes of a down trodden horse racing tipster, called Baxter. He’s the ultimate underdog, royally squashed down by life, but always believing that a big win is just around the corner. He pits his up-close racetrack knowledge of horses against the anaemic firepower of the modern bookies, with their flashy computer stats. But no one ever beats The Bookies. Do they?
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I wanted to do a show inspired by my love of horse racing and I came across Roy Granville’s book of short stories called Baxter vs The Bookies. I knew Baxter would be an ideal character for me to play, with his self-deprecating humour and pathos.
How have you approached developing the show?
Baxter in the book, is an old-fashioned middle-classbloke who struggles with modern technology, but in my adaptation, I’ve made him working class, so he’smore like me and more of an underdog, struggling against the odds. I picked the most theatrical threeshort stories, which are peopled with great secondary characters that I knew I could bring to life. In rehearsal, I heightened them all. I made Armstrong, Baxter’s local bookie, whiskey-sodden, irascible and perennially suspicious. I changed the ending to the story of Wilfred, Baxter’s diminutive postman, who has prophetic hallucinations about winners while on dodgy back-pain medicine, to make Baxter kinder to Wilfred to show his humanity. And I added to the story of Will Bow, Baxter’s nemesis, the college educated upstart bookmaker, who has no time for the horses and merely analyses stats, to ramp up the drama to make this story the climax of the show.
Baxter in the book, is an old-fashioned middle-classbloke who struggles with modern technology, but in my adaptation, I’ve made him working class, so he’smore like me and more of an underdog, struggling against the odds. I picked the most theatrical threeshort stories, which are peopled with great secondary characters that I knew I could bring to life. In rehearsal, I heightened them all. I made Armstrong, Baxter’s local bookie, whiskey-sodden, irascible and perennially suspicious. I changed the ending to the story of Wilfred, Baxter’s diminutive postman, who has prophetic hallucinations about winners while on dodgy back-pain medicine, to make Baxter kinder to Wilfred to show his humanity. And I added to the story of Will Bow, Baxter’s nemesis, the college educated upstart bookmaker, who has no time for the horses and merely analyses stats, to ramp up the drama to make this story the climax of the show.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Interwoven stories with humour, pathos and some nail-biting races!
Interwoven stories with humour, pathos and some nail-biting races!
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Underdog bets everything.
Underdog bets everything.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
The Edinburgh Fringe is The Grand National of performing, not a 5-furlong sprint. So, I’m in as peak a performance state as a 71-year-old can be. I keep fit with walking and gardening, I’ve given up the booze cos my doctor said it was that or death and I’ve tested the show out at Barnstaple TheatreFest and at The Hen & Chicken Theatre in London in the lead up to Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Fringe is The Grand National of performing, not a 5-furlong sprint. So, I’m in as peak a performance state as a 71-year-old can be. I keep fit with walking and gardening, I’ve given up the booze cos my doctor said it was that or death and I’ve tested the show out at Barnstaple TheatreFest and at The Hen & Chicken Theatre in London in the lead up to Edinburgh.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
I hope to catch Hearts or Hibs playing football, will eat out in the brilliant Edinburgh restaurants and will try to get to some racing at Musselburgh or Dunbar.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
If you want comfort food to ground you – go to Mums restaurant, 4A Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QNH
If you want comfort food to ground you – go to Mums restaurant, 4A Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QNH
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Mark Thomas: WD40 - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mark-thomas-wd40
Alan Davis: Think Ahead - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/alan-davies-think-ahead
Oblivion Boys with Gayle Tuesday - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/oblivion-boys-with-gayle-tuesday
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
Harry Seacombe in The Three Musketeers at Drury Lane – 1968 – Harry was a consummate raspberry blower.
Harry Seacombe in The Three Musketeers at Drury Lane – 1968 – Harry was a consummate raspberry blower.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
That they were totally captivated by Baxter and are desperate to get everyone they know to come and see him.
Where and when can people see your show?
SHOW TITLE: Baxter vs The Bookies
VENUE:Gilded Balloon, The Snug, Patter House
DATES:July 30th to Aug 25th 2025, (not 11th or 19th Aug)
SHOW TIME:1pm
Post a Comment