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, writer and director Leo Russell discusses their show Thirsty.
What can you tell me in your own words about your show?
Four gay flatmates who almost certainly never leave the house try to create a heterosexual paradise, role playing perfect straight relationships. Each actor plays each character so they're all multirolling around each other and it gets really farcical and strange. It's bold, messy and it doesn't pull its punches.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I think I've always felt a bit out of step with society, I think a lot of queer people feel that way. Living alternatively to like heteronormative expectations can be exciting, but it's hard I suppose not to feel existentially anxious about it as well, and I wanted to get those ideas down on paper.
How have you approached developing the show?
It's been a mad process, to be honest (I almost used the word 'journey' there and nearly physically threw up in my mouth).
I'd completely ditched another show I was working on and I was becoming really frustrated with my own writing - I felt like I wanted to make something less focused on a linear plot, and so I started freewriting scenes without any context, characters or concern about where it was going. I was writing a bloated, incoherent mess, but I didn't care - I would literally just be like, 'Right, how do I feel today?' and let that inform 3 or so pages. After a while, clear themes and ideas started to emerge, and then I started to carve out what would eventually be the final concept from that.
Maui, the producer, was really instrumental in getting the 'energy' of the show right. From pretty much every element of the production we've worked together to make it bold and weird and unapologetically what it is. We knew we wanted to cast four people who would really embody that energy, and honestly working with our actors has informed the direction of the show way more than usual - the entire process has felt constantly evolving and changing, which is super exciting. I've never done something like that before.
We performed a preview in Bristol, which was fun. I was really determined that I was gonna use that as an opportunity to try stuff out, even some riskier comedic ideas that I was convinced only I would find funny - and I was right, and now those bits have been cut!
It's been a really live, ever-changing thing. I always want the actors to keep playing, to never make the same performance twice, and it's been a - sometimes scarily unpredictable - but really rewarding process.
How would you describe the style of the show?
It's like a Monty Python sketch show which is glitching out and sparking until it explodes.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Punchy, brutal, satirical.
Can you tell me an interesting fact about the show?
The original concept was all based around the idea that we'd teach the cast how to DJ and there would be live DJing throughout. I have never DJed before in my life. Neither has Maui. We scrapped that idea.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
Haha I don't know, I mean I need to fix my sleep schedule for starters. I'm honestly just excited right now but I'll probably crash around like day three.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Genuinely, I keep thinking about the cheesy chips and gravy I had from this kebab shop there last year. Like it'll just sort of pop into my head throughout the day. So that.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
I'm literally the Tourist's Tourist so I'm not the best person to ask. If anyone has any recommendations I'd love to have them - preferably good kebab shops.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Fruitcake! By our friends over at 'Cherish the Orange'. It's creative and really funny and super charming and heartwarming.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw that had a big impact on you?
Honestly, it probably was school plays. I didn't grow up with theatre, really - when people talk about how they grew up going to like, The Almeida or whatever, I'm always like wow I grew up watching TV. I've put a lot of effort into educating myself on theatre and going whenever I can to make up for that I suppose, but really the thing that inspires me most is seeing people my own age make stuff.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I don't know, I don't really like to think about it to be honest. I mean, if I wanted to spread a message or whatever I'd write an essay - I don't think many people want to receive a lecture on the philosophies of a 21-year-old theatre grad. If someone is left thinking about your show a couple of hours after they've seen it, even if they absolutely hated it, to me that's incredible because most stuff we watch and read and listen to kinda just passes over us, doesn't it?
Where and when can people see your show?
Willow Studio at Riddles Court, 11th-16th of August!Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/thirsty
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