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 David Shopland about their show Don't You Forget About Me.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
Don’t You Forget About Me is my own personal love letter to one of my favourite films of all time, the 1980s ‘Brat Pack’ classic, The Breakfast Club; Part homage and part comedic autobiographical exploration through my own slightly obsessive relationship with 80s and 90s pop culture nostalgia.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I was actually inspired at last year’s Fringe by the brilliant Biff To The Future; a production also lovingly lampooning an 80s cinematic classic. I was taken by the idea of commenting on a piece of iconic film history from a totally new perspective, and I ended up writing DYFAM over the course of the 2025 Edinburgh Festival whilst I was up there as a producer and director for another production.
How have you approached developing the show?
It’s funny, I’ve been writing theatre for 2 decades and I still don’t think I’ve found a consistent process; it seems to be a different approach with every script I start! This time it flowed out of me almost uncontrollably in a very ‘stream of consciousness’ fashion. In fact the very first draft I actually wrote in one sitting in about 4 hours! From there I spent the remainder of the month refining the script in the ensuing year I have tinkered with the show, brought on fellow collaborators like my supremely talented director Roann Hassani McCloskey, and held frequent readings for external feedback.
How would you describe the style of the show?
I think it’s an emotive, slightly absurdist, frenetically paced show that manages to hopefully be funny and nostalgic, whilst also leaving the audience with a bit of poignancy and personal honesty.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Nostalgic, Charming, Chaotic
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
This is our 10th year as a company being at the festival, but only my second time performing at it. Although I originally trained as an actor all the way back in 2008, I’ve been mostly on the other side of the curtain ever since graduating, and as Artistic Director of Fake Escape since 2013, I’m generally producing, directing and writing behind the scenes. However, there have been 2 instances where I started writing something I felt so personally connected to, I had to ‘come out of retirement’ to perform them myself; one was our 2023 production ‘Raising Kane’, the other is this show. With all that said then, as a performer I’m actually quite bad at following the advice I frequently give to the many incredible actors we work with when I’m usually directing them! Although the truth is I don’t really believe there’s any universal rule for how to prepare for the overwhelming uniqueness of the world’s largest arts festival. For me, it’s just about making sure I’m absolutely prepared as possible as early as I can be (Our poster was designed nearly a year ago!) so that I can put away my other ‘hats’ and focus solely on performing as soon as the festival starts.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
I always say Edinburgh Fringe is like Disneyland for theatre kids! For me there is absolutely no better place at any better time than being in Edinburgh in August. Outside of the shows I’m always involved in, I try to see as much as I possibly can. My record is 62 shows across the 4 weeks of the festival. We have 3 productions up this year including my own, so I don’t think I’ll be breaking that record in 2026, but maybe next year I’ll make it to 70!
I always say Edinburgh Fringe is like Disneyland for theatre kids! For me there is absolutely no better place at any better time than being in Edinburgh in August. Outside of the shows I’m always involved in, I try to see as much as I possibly can. My record is 62 shows across the 4 weeks of the festival. We have 3 productions up this year including my own, so I don’t think I’ll be breaking that record in 2026, but maybe next year I’ll make it to 70!
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
This is an excellent question, I’ve been to Edinburgh Fringe either as a punter or involved with productions almost every year since 2011, so like to think I’ve racked up a few of these over the years! Personally I always try and look for places off the beaten path that might be a little quieter. For example, if you’re happy to walk a fair way - there’s a pub in Canonmills area called The Powder Room that feels like an oasis of calm and normalcy amongst the frivolity of the fringe! If you’re looking for good food late at night away from all the trucks of squares George and Bristo, OX184 on Cowgate has you covered with American-influenced high quality comfort food. In terms of venues, I’d really encourage people to go check out at least one show at Bedlam Theatre. I know a lot of people tend to stick to the recognisable hubs, but for my money I think Bedlam might be aesthetically the nicest fringe venue in the whole city!
This is an excellent question, I’ve been to Edinburgh Fringe either as a punter or involved with productions almost every year since 2011, so like to think I’ve racked up a few of these over the years! Personally I always try and look for places off the beaten path that might be a little quieter. For example, if you’re happy to walk a fair way - there’s a pub in Canonmills area called The Powder Room that feels like an oasis of calm and normalcy amongst the frivolity of the fringe! If you’re looking for good food late at night away from all the trucks of squares George and Bristo, OX184 on Cowgate has you covered with American-influenced high quality comfort food. In terms of venues, I’d really encourage people to go check out at least one show at Bedlam Theatre. I know a lot of people tend to stick to the recognisable hubs, but for my money I think Bedlam might be aesthetically the nicest fringe venue in the whole city!
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Well I’d be a very bad producer if I didn’t plug my company’s other two shows at The Fringe! So please come and see Day of The Locust at 12:50pm Pleasance Courtyard Attic and Saving Britney at 6:15pm at Underbelly George Square: Bluebell! Aside from Fake Escape’s offerings, I’ve also had the privilege of working in a fundraising consultancy capacity for some other great shows going up to the festival this year, such as Marena Riyad’s ‘Majenin’ at Pleasance Jackdome, Emily Glaze’s ‘Basic Bald B*tch’ at Underbelly Cowgate Jelly Belly and ‘Frisky’s Remix Roulette’ from the iconic Frisky (formally of Frisky and Mannish) at Assembly Rooms Bijou.
Well I’d be a very bad producer if I didn’t plug my company’s other two shows at The Fringe! So please come and see Day of The Locust at 12:50pm Pleasance Courtyard Attic and Saving Britney at 6:15pm at Underbelly George Square: Bluebell! Aside from Fake Escape’s offerings, I’ve also had the privilege of working in a fundraising consultancy capacity for some other great shows going up to the festival this year, such as Marena Riyad’s ‘Majenin’ at Pleasance Jackdome, Emily Glaze’s ‘Basic Bald B*tch’ at Underbelly Cowgate Jelly Belly and ‘Frisky’s Remix Roulette’ from the iconic Frisky (formally of Frisky and Mannish) at Assembly Rooms Bijou.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
When I was 11 I saw the touring production of Bob Carlton’s Return To The Forbidden Planet when it came to the Theatre Royal in Bath (where I grew up) and I still remember it vividly as an awakening. Realising I could have a job being involved in creating magic and art on stage like that changed the course of my life forever. What is particularly strange is that about a decade later, I’d end up in the same drama school class as Callum Patrick Hughes, the son of one of the main actors in that very production, who went on to become my dear friend, current flatmate and closest collaborator - and actually co-wrote and performs one of our other shows, Day of The Locust!
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I’d like to think it sparks conversations about the power of nostalgia, the reliability of memory and the persistence of pop culture in defining the stories of our lives
I’d like to think it sparks conversations about the power of nostalgia, the reliability of memory and the persistence of pop culture in defining the stories of our lives
Where and when can people see your show?
We’re on every day of the festival except 17th and 24th at 2.20pm, Assembly Roxy Downstairs!
Don’t You Forget About Me is at the Edinburgh Fringe at Assembly Roxy Downstairs from 5 – 31 Aug (not 17 or 24) at 14.20. Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/don-t-you-forget-about-me
We’re on every day of the festival except 17th and 24th at 2.20pm, Assembly Roxy Downstairs!
Don’t You Forget About Me is at the Edinburgh Fringe at Assembly Roxy Downstairs from 5 – 31 Aug (not 17 or 24) at 14.20. Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/don-t-you-forget-about-me
Post a Comment