In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with Ivo Muller to learn more about their show One Million Words.
What can you tell me about your show?
One Million Words (Rilke: Um Milhão de Palavras) is a one-man show inspired by the letters of poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Part of the 2026 São Paulo Showcase, it spans past and present, following a Brazilian actor today and the Austrian poet a century ago, exploring love, the ache of creation, a lost sense of belonging, and the never-ending pressure to succeed. Blending theatre, storytelling, poetry, humour, and music, it's a show where two voices across time speak as one.
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| Photo by Carol Gherardi |
You also don’t have to have any Rilke savvy to enjoy the show. But hopefully, after the show, you will fall in love with Rilke like I have. (And if you want a reading list of Rilke after the show, come talk to me and I will be so happy to recommend!)
The show also has a trailer here - check it out! if you want to know more about it!
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
It’s intimate, poetic, emotional, and surprisingly funny at times. A mix of storytelling, physical theatre, live performance, and personal confession.
It’s intimate, poetic, emotional, and surprisingly funny at times. A mix of storytelling, physical theatre, live performance, and personal confession.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Reading Letters to a Young Poet in my twenties, and later finding that same book in the library of a public school in Brazil, where I used to teach acting to middle school kids.
Reading Letters to a Young Poet in my twenties, and later finding that same book in the library of a public school in Brazil, where I used to teach acting to middle school kids.
Years later, while living and working in the U.S., the letters started speaking to me in a completely different way, especially around questions of belonging, identity, and creativity. That became the seed for the English-language version premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
We live in a moment of constant distraction, pressure, and speed. The show invites audiences to slow down, reflect, laugh, and reconnect with human presence through live theatre. That feels especially meaningful right now.
We live in a moment of constant distraction, pressure, and speed. The show invites audiences to slow down, reflect, laugh, and reconnect with human presence through live theatre. That feels especially meaningful right now.
Besides that, poet Rilke died in 1926, so I felt I had to do this show at the Fringe to celebrate this centenary.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Sleeping well, staying hydrated, walking, exercising. Mentally, I try to stay open to the unexpected and enjoy the adventure.
Sleeping well, staying hydrated, walking, exercising. Mentally, I try to stay open to the unexpected and enjoy the adventure.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
Tiny envelopes with poetic/love messages inside. I might do that!
Tiny envelopes with poetic/love messages inside. I might do that!
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
The quartz crystal I’ll keep hidden while I perform.
The quartz crystal I’ll keep hidden while I perform.
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| Photo by Carol Gherardi. |
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Meaningful connections with audiences, artistic growth, excellent reviews, and invitations to tour the show with an actual budget attached to them.
Meaningful connections with audiences, artistic growth, excellent reviews, and invitations to tour the show with an actual budget attached to them.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
All the shows from the São Paulo Showcase, they are all great international shows. And I’m excited to discover work once I arrive.
All the shows from the São Paulo Showcase, they are all great international shows. And I’m excited to discover work once I arrive.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Arthur’s Seat. The rock formations you see on the hike up make it such an inspiring place to be.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Humanity. Memory. Humor. Poetry. Connection.
Humanity. Memory. Humor. Poetry. Connection.
What keeps you inspired?
This faith I have inside, the mystery of live theatre itself, and to collaborate with people.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
It’s hard to say, because this show is a journey, and people take from it whatever they need to take that day.
It’s hard to say, because this show is a journey, and people take from it whatever they need to take that day.
Someone once told me the show contains more ideas in one hour than you usually get in a month. Come see it, and you’ll probably find your own personal answer to that question.
When and where can people see the show?
From August 5–31 at 12PM at Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome venue). Updates on Instagram at @onemillionwords_ and my own account @ivoomuller
From August 5–31 at 12PM at Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome venue). Updates on Instagram at @onemillionwords_ and my own account @ivoomuller
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