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 Harrison Clark about his show SABOTAGE.
What can you tell me about your show?
SABOTAGE tells the story of a young man who’s decided to leave his old world behind and board a plane to a new life, when his imaginary friend - the person who he’s always wanted to be, and looked to for guidance - arrives at the same airport, telling him not to get on the plane. This leads to a confrontation between two versions of the same man, who both have to reckon with the fact that neither has been entirely honest with the other. They realise that the only thing keeping them from living a fulfilled life, falling in love, and finding peace is each other. SABOTAGE raises the question: if you could meet your younger self, or the version of yourself you always wanted to be, what would you say, and what would they say back to you?
SABOTAGE tells the story of a young man who’s decided to leave his old world behind and board a plane to a new life, when his imaginary friend - the person who he’s always wanted to be, and looked to for guidance - arrives at the same airport, telling him not to get on the plane. This leads to a confrontation between two versions of the same man, who both have to reckon with the fact that neither has been entirely honest with the other. They realise that the only thing keeping them from living a fulfilled life, falling in love, and finding peace is each other. SABOTAGE raises the question: if you could meet your younger self, or the version of yourself you always wanted to be, what would you say, and what would they say back to you?
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Waiting for Godot meets Rian Johnson’s Looper, with the nostalgic wit of Diablo Cody’s Tully and a sprinkle of a f**ked up but uplifting Black Mirror episode.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
During the second pandemic lockdown, I had to do two weeks of isolation entirely by myself. The brain goes places that you really don’t want it to when you’re alone with your thoughts… I had started to reflect on the fact that I’d made it two years without having a bulimic relapse, and in that place of celebration and peace, I’d started to develop a healthy relationship with my body. I couldn’t escape the memory of how I used to speak to my younger self, and the ways in which I’d harmed myself for the bulk of my teenage years by binging, purging, and restricting. In the midst of all this, my mother suggested something I’ll never forget: “what if you apologised to that younger Harry?” It was terrifying, confronting, and deeply healing to sit with the boy that I had been, to look upon him as an innocent and kind person who just wanted a place to belong. I tried to tell him how far he’d come, and how much I loved him. I then sunk several glasses of wine, blasted Lorde, stripped off in my back garden and screamed at the moon - which is when the idea came: what if you could meet your younger self, and say sorry? I wrote the entire first draft that night.
During the second pandemic lockdown, I had to do two weeks of isolation entirely by myself. The brain goes places that you really don’t want it to when you’re alone with your thoughts… I had started to reflect on the fact that I’d made it two years without having a bulimic relapse, and in that place of celebration and peace, I’d started to develop a healthy relationship with my body. I couldn’t escape the memory of how I used to speak to my younger self, and the ways in which I’d harmed myself for the bulk of my teenage years by binging, purging, and restricting. In the midst of all this, my mother suggested something I’ll never forget: “what if you apologised to that younger Harry?” It was terrifying, confronting, and deeply healing to sit with the boy that I had been, to look upon him as an innocent and kind person who just wanted a place to belong. I tried to tell him how far he’d come, and how much I loved him. I then sunk several glasses of wine, blasted Lorde, stripped off in my back garden and screamed at the moon - which is when the idea came: what if you could meet your younger self, and say sorry? I wrote the entire first draft that night.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
With the ongoing crisis of masculinity and an epidemic of loneliness, I think there isn’t a better time for people to see a piece of theatre that depicts two versions of the same man having to do the work and reflect. Everything these characters go through is universal; they are not rooted in the crucible of ‘what a man is supposed to be. This show is about how we can heal ourselves so that we can love better, how we can become the people we’re meant to be.
With the ongoing crisis of masculinity and an epidemic of loneliness, I think there isn’t a better time for people to see a piece of theatre that depicts two versions of the same man having to do the work and reflect. Everything these characters go through is universal; they are not rooted in the crucible of ‘what a man is supposed to be. This show is about how we can heal ourselves so that we can love better, how we can become the people we’re meant to be.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’ll be reading & re-reading the script back to front and falling in love with this character all over again. Getting enough sleep is high on the agenda too - as well as doing anything and everything I can to maintain my cool about the fact that I am taking my show to THE Edinburgh Fringe. One of the blessings of doing a limited run is that we can give it our all for 5 nights only, before we head home completely exhausted to recuperate.
I’ll be reading & re-reading the script back to front and falling in love with this character all over again. Getting enough sleep is high on the agenda too - as well as doing anything and everything I can to maintain my cool about the fact that I am taking my show to THE Edinburgh Fringe. One of the blessings of doing a limited run is that we can give it our all for 5 nights only, before we head home completely exhausted to recuperate.
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?
I would bring a picnic basket containing the following: a bottle of wine, a photo of them as a kid doing something silly and beautiful, a boarding pass to their favourite destination, and a box of tissues. You’ll need every single one of them.
I would bring a picnic basket containing the following: a bottle of wine, a photo of them as a kid doing something silly and beautiful, a boarding pass to their favourite destination, and a box of tissues. You’ll need every single one of them.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
My beautiful director, Maya Britbart-Ellazam, for all of her incredible talents, and her even better hugs.
My beautiful director, Maya Britbart-Ellazam, for all of her incredible talents, and her even better hugs.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Witnessing the effect this show will have on a new audience, sharing its message, and having fun with it.
Witnessing the effect this show will have on a new audience, sharing its message, and having fun with it.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
There are so many! As a former dancer and lover of physical theatre I’m particularly excited to see THE YELLOW WALLPAPER at Greenside. As a long-time fan of Rose Matafeo I will also absolutely be catching her ‘MORNING HOUR’ WIP.
There are so many! As a former dancer and lover of physical theatre I’m particularly excited to see THE YELLOW WALLPAPER at Greenside. As a long-time fan of Rose Matafeo I will also absolutely be catching her ‘MORNING HOUR’ WIP.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people visit when they're not watching performances?
The Underground Edinburgh ghost tours!
The Underground Edinburgh ghost tours!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Nostalgic. Reflective. Mournful. Boogie. Gorgonzola.
Nostalgic. Reflective. Mournful. Boogie. Gorgonzola.
What keeps you inspired?
Sharon Van Etten. Robyn. Janelle Monae. Any piece of theatre, film, or TV show that makes me feel less alone.
Sharon Van Etten. Robyn. Janelle Monae. Any piece of theatre, film, or TV show that makes me feel less alone.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I think the most fulfilling thing we heard when we premiered in Australia was that this show was relatable to such a wide range of people. We had so many people come up to us talking about how this show articulated how they felt after a breakup. Audience members felt all the same anxieties that our characters felt when they were about to board a plane. We just want everyone to come see this show and leave thinking that felt familiar to me, or that is exactly how I felt; maybe I’m not crazy, maybe I just needed to be seen.
I think the most fulfilling thing we heard when we premiered in Australia was that this show was relatable to such a wide range of people. We had so many people come up to us talking about how this show articulated how they felt after a breakup. Audience members felt all the same anxieties that our characters felt when they were about to board a plane. We just want everyone to come see this show and leave thinking that felt familiar to me, or that is exactly how I felt; maybe I’m not crazy, maybe I just needed to be seen.
When and where can people see the show?
From the 24th to the 28th of August at 10:50 pm, in The Space: Triplex Big [The Prince Philip Building, 19 Hill Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9DP].
From the 24th to the 28th of August at 10:50 pm, in The Space: Triplex Big [The Prince Philip Building, 19 Hill Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9DP].
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sabotage
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